Wildlife campaigner Lottie rushed straight from school to Darlington Town Hall on Monday, carrying with her a precious petition to save acres of much-loved countryside from the builders.
The ten-year-old, supported by her young friends, gave it to Councillor Matthew Snedker, leader of Darlington Green Party councillors, who will pass it on to the appropriate officials.
A controversial building project on Darlington’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’
Lottie is fighting plans for Skerningham Garden Village, which will comprise more than 4,000 mainly large, family houses on the area’s crop fields and pastures and push a road through the woods. It is a joint venture between the Council and two businessmen involved in the controversial Teesworks project, backed by Tees Valley Mayor Baron Houchen of High Leven.
Lottie says:
“The area has been a place to walk and see the animals close-up for centuries. It should be kept for the children and adults of the future to enjoy.”
She is supported by members of Skerningham Woodland Action Group (SWAG) who put the petition online after they spotted it, drawn in felt-tip and pinned to a gate at the proposed site.
Lottie’s List
The petition, dubbed ‘Lottie’s List,’ now has more than 2,400 names and more people are signing daily. That means the garden village plan must now be debated at a cabinet meeting or at full council.
Councillor Snedker said he was delighted to accept the petition on the council’s behalf. Before taking the youngsters on a tour of the town hall, he told Lottie and her friends, Hazel, Erica, Heidi, Poppy and Nyle:
“You should be very proud that you have acted to challenge a council decision which you believe is harmful. Many adults clearly believe the same, but it was you who took action. Well done to you all and to SWAG for giving you a hand.”
Kathy Barley, from SWAG, said the massive housing project was unnecessary.
“Darlington already builds more family houses each year than the government stipulates. We need small, affordable homes nearer jobs, schools and amenities, not mini mansions out in the country.
“This plan to increase Council Tax takings will destroy land where local people — along with deer, foxes, badgers, hares, owls and many extinction-threatened birds and protected species — have roamed for centuries.”
Proud mum Linzi said after the event:
“Lottie is overwhelmed by the support she has received and never imagined her two paper posters would have resulted in thousands of supporters. She is grateful to everyone who has signed it and hopes it makes a difference.”
Ms Barley said: “Names are still being added almost hourly on the Change.org website and we will keep it open for the foreseeable future.”
For a glimpse of why this matters, please see here.
