A council plan to combine environmental restoration with future job opportunities has been praised. Darlington Borough Council is set to transform land near the Faverdale Industrial Estate into a biodiversity net gain habitat bank, while keeping other parts available for potential business use.

The 35-hectare site, including land previously owned by developer St Modwen, was earmarked for employment use in the Local Plan. But new ecological studies have revealed large areas of Open Mosaic Habitat - a priority habitat that supports rare species and limits the viability of large-scale development. At a meeting on Tuesday (November 4), the council's cabinet approved proposals to use part of the land for biodiversity net gain units - primarily for sale on the open market.

Councillor Chris M

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