Dear Sir,
Middridge Parish Council wish to correct any misunderstanding that may arise from the letter from Mr. Fraser, in last week’s ‘Newton News’.  The area now known as Eldon Whins is categorically within Middridge Parish boundary and has been since the formation of our parish in 1983.  Prior to that, Middridge was part of the Parish of Shildon (formerly Shildon Urban District Council) The creation of our parish was encouraged and assisted by the then named ‘Sedgefield District Council’ later ‘Borough Council’.
When the County Durham Plan is ratified and should housing be recommended for Eldon Whins, then it would surely be more democratic for the residents of this site to decide whether they would prefer to remain within Middridge Parish and pay that parish council tax or be part of Great Aycliffe and be subject to that council’s tax rate.
Anne Clarke, Chairwoman
Middridge Parish Council