Objection  Points

• Landfill: This development is too close to the former landfill that has been poorly maintained and is still actively releasing gases. The Environment Agency suggest a stand-off zone of 250m to the former landfill. Skerningham Estates Ltd acknowledged there would need to be one for the development in their submissions to the Darlington Local Plan 2016-2036. Where is it?

• Primary school: No site for a primary school has been safeguarded in this planning application, nor in the planning application dealing with Phase 1, should the need for a new school arise in the future. This goes against the requirements of Policy H10. Each relevant home developed should also be contributing to matters such as education provision. Features of a 20-minute neighbourhood include having schools at the heart of communities.

• Design Code: The Design Code Checklist point “Are all homes and essential community services and schools located to clearly demonstrate that a 20 minute walkable (10 minutes there and 10 minutes back) neighbourhood is achieved?” is ticked “Yes” when it should be ticked “No”. No child will be able to reach any of the existing local schools in 10 minutes on foot and with no reserved school sites included, nor can it be proven that this can be achieved in future. In line with the Design Code requirements, this planning application must be refused.

• Stressholme: Ken Maddison’s objection on the planning portal against planning application 24/01051/CON is extremely enlightening and is a generic issue that applies to this development too. To summarise, as of 1st January 2024 Stressholme’s remaining capacity was 2,500 dwellings. The connection into Stressholme from Long Newton/Teesside Airport on 1st April 2025 is equivalent to 9,500 dwellings, or, even if you quarter the amount by accounting for some over design and factors of safety calculations, 2,400 dwellings will still be connected. The Council has approved fully a minimum of 1,000 dwellings that have not been started or built yet but which Northumbrian Water Ltd must connect to the network. This year, around 400-500 dwellings have been built and will be connected.