From the Northern Echo
VILLAGERS are pooling their money to fight plans to build a Gypsy site near their homes.
Residents of Heighington, near Darlington, voted unanimously at a public meeting tonight (Tuesday, March 12) in favour of collecting money from householders to fund the legal costs of their battle against the scheme.
Sharon Marshall, chair of the meeting, estimated that the community could face costs of around £4,000. A suggested donation of £10 per household was put to those at the packed meeting at St Michael’s Church.
Money raised will be used to battle controversial plans to convert two nearby fields into a private Gypsy site. Any cash left over will be donated to the village hall.
Mrs Marshall said: “You are spending your time here tonight. Let’s follow up your time with being willing to spend some money.
“There is no guarantee that we can change the course of action but if we do not try, we will never know. If this goes through, this will be there for the rest of history.”
Hundreds of objections have already been lodged with Darlington Borough Council over proposals to convert the fields in Walworth Road for two mobile homes, two touring caravans, two amenity buildings, a septic tank and an access road.
Mrs Marshall reminded residents that objections made should be on the grounds of material planning concerns and not personal feelings.
She added: “Object if you believe our community is worth preserving and our countryside is worth preserving for all to enjoy.
"Heighington is quite an inclusive community and we welcome everybody but we all have to abide by the law. There are rules set down by the town council about what is appropriate building work and what is not.”
A steering group has also been set up by residents. The group will take charge of all decision making and research on behalf of the local community and has pledged to report their findings promptly.
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