Derbyshire council to build new homes to raise cash for its services

Derbyshire County Council is to build and sell private housing to generate income for its services.
County Hall in Matlock, the headquarters of Derbyshire County Council.County Hall in Matlock, the headquarters of Derbyshire County Council.
County Hall in Matlock, the headquarters of Derbyshire County Council.

Cabinet members approved plans in June to establish a private company to oversee the developments.

Three pieces of land have been earmarked by the company to develop housing, subject to planning permission.

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These include an area off Derby Road in Duffield for 28 homes, land at Fisher Close in Repton for ten homes, and a site at Pilsley Road in Danesmoor which is earmarked for 26 homes, including five “affordable properties”.

Cabinet Member for Council Services, Councillor Andy Botham, said: “Government cuts to the council’s budget mean we need to find new ways of generating income. That’s why we’re looking to make the most of land we own but no longer need.

“The three pilot sites are the first of 13 sites already identified for development by the company in the future.

“It’s an ambitious project but we’re hoping it will be a real money-spinner to help fund vital local services as well as providing much-needed homes for the county.”

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A business plan has been drawn-up and work on the initial three sites is expected to start in January next year.

At a meeting last week, Cabinet Members approved proposals to appoint a Shareholder’s Board as a committee of the Cabinet comprising the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Council Services and the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure with the Leader of the Main Opposition Group as an observer.

They also approved proposals to appoint the a number of executive directors of the company along with a non-executive director from the commercial sector with relevant experience.