More than 1,000 object to town centre proposals, Teesdale Mercury

MORE  than 1,000 people have signed  a petition objecting to plans to redevelop key parts of Barnard Castle.

A petition was set up opposing the £6m redevelopment of Barnard Castle’s Witham Hall, plans to create a youth shelter on the town’s Scar Top and regeneration group Barnard Castle Vision.

In a letter to the Mercury, petition organisers Betty Walton and Hazel Robinson said that there is “deep concern that existing businesses could be damaged,” by plans to create a food hall in a redeveloped Witham. “Above all, a building in keeping with the surrounding area is needed, not a monstrosity as planned,” they said.

However, they added that there was a general feeling in the town that The Witham should be regenerated.

“The overall opinion seems to be that The Witham Hall needs updating, and the funding protecting and utilising, but as the hall belongs to the town it should house all the amenities for a social centre for everyone, young and old.

“Our aim was simply to highlight the strength of opposition in the town.”

They also said the petition “highlights” that plans for a youth shelter at Scar Top in the town are “extremely unpopular”.

Edward Strickland, project 

manager for the redevelopment of The Witham Hall, said: “David Woods, chairman of the Trustees 

of The Witham Hall, and I are happy to meet with Ms Walton with a 

view to understanding better her concerns and those of the signatories, so that we can respond fully to them”.