A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build thousands of homes on green space dubbed as ‘garden villages’ has moved a step closer to becoming reality after the Government announced it would back two schemes.

Plans for the garden village in Skerningham, on the northern outskirts of Darlington, featuring 4,500 homes, business premises, shops and leisure facilities, close to a controversial proposed link road, were first announced in 2017.

However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that it will provide Darlington Borough Council with £150,000 to help progress the design and delivery of both of the schemes at Burtree Garden Village and Skerningham Garden Village.

Conservative councillor Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Borough Council, welcomed the news that the government was showing faith in the the area.

She said: “I’m pleased that the two private sector-led proposed developments at Skerningham and Burtree have been awarded garden village status.

“We will continue to work with the private sector promoters of these sites to take them to the next stage.

“This is recognition that Darlington is an ambitious, forward-thinking place and I am pleased to see the government recognise that.

“Garden villages are about creating distinctive, carefully-planned places, which will help to drive forward the kind of inclusive growth Darlington needs.

“However, we will need to tread carefully and be mindful of the views of residents. I am well aware of the concerns that have already been raised.”

However, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman was less complimentary about the announcement saying local campaigners will be angry at the news and urged them to continue to fight their case.

She said: “People will want answers from the Conservatives about why they have allowed this to happen. Only a matter of weeks ago they fought an election with a manifesto pledge to save Springfield Park and now five weeks later we have this.

“It is already a broken promise. People living nearby will rightly be angry and they will have lost faith in the (planning) process.”

The letter from the Housing Minister Kit Malthouse outlines the government’s plans to invest in local housing projects.

It reads: “Burtree Garden Village and Skerningham Garden Village are two of 19 Garden Villages selected following the publication of our prospectus in summer 2018, inviting local partners to come forward with ambitious locally-supported plans for new Garden Communities.

“The response to the prospectus was very strong and we are pleased that Skerningham has been successful.

“Whilst solving the housing supply crisis is not straightforward, Garden Villages play an increasing role in helping us bridge the gap.

“We welcome the ambition shown by Darlington Borough Council.”