Green light for Burtree Garden Village arboretum
Designed by PDP Associates, the centrepiece of Hellens Group’s 2,000-home development has been approved and will form a key landscape feature in the 307-acre neighbourhood.
Located north west of Darlington, the garden village will also eventually have 2m sq ft of employment space and has been designed so that half the site is reserved for green areas.
The scheme is funded by a £43m investment from Homes England, which will be spent on key infrastructure needed to deliver phase one such as the construction of highways, sustainable transport options, and green infrastructure.
Work began on the first phase back in April, with Hellens breaking ground on 750 houses, green infrastructure, and a 20-acre public park.
The arboretum will be an extension of the village’s green spaces and will be an accessible, green space with a diverse range of tree species, seasonal gardens, a foraging trail, and a central raised mound that acts as a scenic viewpoint.
Constructed using soil and materials from the site, it will also support conservation of the rare black poplar tree, which is native to the site.
Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive of Hellens Group, said: “Receiving planning approval for the arboretum is another milestone for Burtree Garden Village.
“This project is not just about building homes; it’s about creating a thriving, sustainable community that prioritises both people and the environment.
“The arboretum will play a pivotal role in delivering on our vision of a green, healthy, and inclusive village where residents can enjoy high-quality green spaces on their doorstep.
“The wider Burtree Garden Village development is built around a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Nearly half of the site is dedicated to green spaces, and this arboretum is a key part of that strategy, linking nature with daily life.
“By reusing site materials and planting a diverse range of native and ornamental trees, we’re creating a space that promotes biodiversity, well-being, and community interaction.
“Alongside our investments in infrastructure and housing, features like this arboretum are what will make Burtree Garden Village a place where people genuinely want to live, work, and grow.”
