CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating this week after convincing councillors to protect green space at Barnard Castle’s former police station.
However, Durham Constabulary’s furious chief constable condemned the decision as “a classic case of short-sighted nimbyism” and “incomprehensible”.
Mike Barton also insisted Durham Police would challenge the ruling, which protects the land at Bede Kirk.
Barnard Castle Town Council applied for the land to be given village green status last year after the police station and surrounding area were put up for sale for housing.
The town council had already successfully sought protection orders for the mature trees on Bede Kirk.
However, former town councillor Thom Robinson warned that this may not be enough to save the area, insisting Bede Kirk deserved to be protected for the enjoyment of future generations.
The town council was asked to provide evidence of Bede Kirk’s use for leisure purposes ahead of the county council's highways committee meeting, which was moved from County Hall, in Durham, to the parish hall, in Newgate, Barnard Castle, on Friday.
Committee members also visited Bede Kirk prior to the meeting to see the area for themselves.
Campaigner David Stacey told the meeting: “Bede Kirk was laid down as green space for the people by the police and the people used it.
“Its wide open aspect made it popular with all ages and types of people.
“It’s a safe-feeling place for young and old and people on it are there to enjoy it.”
The meeting was told 18 residents had come forward with evidence of their use of the site, but the county’s legal officers recommended the application for village green status be refused on the grounds that this was not sufficient.
Councillors felt differently, however.
Cllr Alan Gardner said: “It looks to me like it’s been designed as a space for the general public.”
No-one from Durham Police or crime commissioner Ron Hogg’s office turned up to put their views across and take questions from the committee.
Cllr Stuart Dunn said: “I’m really disappointed the police are not here.
“However they move forward with this site, they have to respect the community and if they come forward with planning permission for something that’s more appealing that’s great.
“But I don’t think it would be right for that green and those trees to be taken away.”
Councillors voted 6-2 in favour of the application.
After the meeting, Mr Robinson said: “I’m delighted that the democratic process has led to a successful outcome for the residents of Barnard Castle.
“I hope now that the police will respect the will of the people and not appeal this decision, wasting even more public resources fighting the public.
“Although Barnard Castle is a rural town, there are relatively few green spaces in the built up areas of the town.
“County councillors have rightly recognised the importance of these spaces to the people.”
Both the chief constable and crime commissioner criticised the committee’s decision.
Mr Barton said it effectively blocks any development of the site and leaves the police paying for the upkeep of the vacant building.
“To say I am dischuffed on behalf of people who need policing in Barnard Castle and rural parts of County Durham really is an understatement.
“It is clear to me that, to continue policing Barnard Castle and its many surrounding villages, I need the six-figure sum which the sale of this land would bring in to the public purse.
“Whitehall has stripped us of money since 2010 and it is a bit rich that a local issue has now done the same.
“This is a classic case of short-sighted nimbyism and an incomprehensible decision, which we will be challenging.”
Mr Hogg added: “I am disappointed in the outcome of this hearing. I have a duty to make best use of the assets available to me.
“This setback will cost the better part of one third of this year’s increase in precept. This is a lot of money to make up within our capital budget.
“I am taking legal advice on the next steps and strongly considering a legal challenge.
“At the same time I will be considering alternative options for the site of the former police station building.”
Barnard Castle mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said: “Local people care about Bede Kirk and it was local people who brought this issue to the town council and urged us to make this application on their behalf.
“There have been some spurious arguments made in objection to the application, but the police were gifted their new home (the quad hub in Wilson Street) through a government grant.
“It would be a great shame if that had only been available to the town at the expense of an open space where young children have played and older people have taken their leisure for a long time.”
