Local Green Space Designation - Site Submissions 2025

As part of the Local Plan Review we are providing the opportunity for local communities to submit areas of particular importance to be given additional protection from development.

If you would like a site to be considered for designation in the review you will need to consider the designation criteria (shown below) when completing a submission form[pdf document]

Frequently Asked Questions document [pdf] 

This is currently an open ended submission period.  A closing date will be set to align with the consultation period on a draft version of the Reviewed Local Plan in due course.

Criteria for Designation of Local Green Spaces

There are no restrictions on the type of green space which can be designated as Local Green Space.

Allotments or urban spaces that provide a tranquil oasis could be designated. Land which is partly developed with structures such as sports pavilions, boating lakes or war memorials could be appropriate. The key characteristic for the designation should be the particular importance to the local community.

National Planning Guidance advises:

• land already subject to a designation could be proposed as Local Green Space, but that consideration should be given to whether any additional local benefit would be gained by designation as Local Green Space.

Following this advice, Darlington Borough Council does not envisage there would be a beneficial gain in designating the following: 

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest: protected under Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 
• Local Nature Reserves: protected by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. These sites are owned, leased or managed by Darlington Borough Council.
• Registered village greens and common land: protected by the Commons Act 2006 
• Registered Parks and Gardens. For Darlington these are South Park and West Cemetery, which are protected by Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953

A site proposed as Local Green Space must meet the criteria set out in national policy:

1. Land must meet all these criteria:
   • Demonstrably special to local community
   • Reasonable close proximity to the community it serves
   • Local in character
   • Not an extensive tract of land
   • Not an area with extant planning permission within which the Local Green Space could not be accommodated.
2. Land must hold particular local significance for at least one of these reasons:
   • Beauty
   • Historic significance
   • Recreational value
   • Tranquility
   • Wildlife
   • Other reason
3. Designating land as a local Green Space should:
   • be consistent with local planning of sustainable development
   • complement investment in sufficient homes, jobs and other essential services.