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Housing

Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Housing Developments in North East Derbyshire

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Residents in North East Derbyshire are opposing the proposed use of greenfield and green belt land for housing developments, citing concerns over infrastructure, environmental impacts, and the character of their villages. The district council has launched a public consultation on its Local Plan, which aims to identify potential development sites, including those for housing, employment, biodiversity, and Travellers. However, residents are worried that the council's plan could lead to the loss of green spaces, increased traffic, and a loss of the area's unique character.

Key Takeaways:

  • The North East Derbyshire District Council has launched a public consultation on its Local Plan, which includes identifying potential development sites for housing, employment, biodiversity, and Travellers.
  • Residents have expressed concerns over the proposed use of greenfield and green belt land for housing developments, citing infrastructure issues, environmental impacts, and the character of their villages.
  • A total of 343 potential development sites have been identified, including 293 for housing, across North East Derbyshire.
  • Conservative Cllr Alex Dale has hosted three meetings in Dronfield, Unstone, and Apperknowle, where residents raised concerns over the proposed developments.
  • The council has stated it needs to find land to accommodate over 12,000 new homes over the next 20 years to meet the Government's target of building one-and-a-half million homes in England in five years.
  • Cllr Dale has argued that the Labour Government's new mandatory housing targets for North East Derbyshire are "deeply unfair" and would lead to an unsustainable 25 to 30% increase in the area's population over the next 20 years.
  • The council has emphasized that the process is still in its early stages, and it is impossible to determine which sites will be allocated in a draft version of the Local Plan at this point.
  • Residents has suggested using brownfield sites for development before considering greenfield or green belt land.

Statistics:

  • 343 potential development sites have been identified across North East Derbyshire, including 293 for housing.
  • The council needs to find land to accommodate over 12,000 new homes over the next 20 years to meet the Government's target.
  • 25% of households in North East Derbyshire cannot afford an affordable home, and over 2,200 people are on a waiting list for affordable housing.

Sources:

  • [1] Residents raise concerns over proposed housing developments in North East Derbyshire. Derbyshire Times, 22 July 2023.
  • [2] North East Derbyshire District Council Launches Public Consultation on Local Plan. Derbyshire Times, 19 June 2023.
  • [3] Conservative Cllr Alex Dale Discusses Concerns Over Proposed Housing Developments. Derbyshire Times, 15 July 2023.
  • [4] Council Leader Cllr Nigel Barker Highlights Need for Affordable Housing. Derbyshire Times, 10 July 2023.
  • [5] Unstone Resident Ian Taylor Urges Council to Use Brownfield Sites for Development. Derbyshire Times, 12 July 2023.

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