Furious Chesterfield homeowners say development '˜makes a mockery' of planning process

Residents on Churston Road, with the development behind their back gardens, they are from left, Jim Love, Colin Bates, Marcia Bates, Lesley Pearson, Matt Griffiths and Janet Pearson.

The three houses were built last year on land in between Ashgate Road and Churston Road by Matlock based builders Anthony Aston.

However, it has now come to light that the firm built them to the wrong plans and the developer is now having to resubmit plans to the borough council so the changes can be signed off.

Janet Pearson, 61, who has lived on Churston Road for the last 40 years, said: “Is this the new way forward for planning in Chesterfield?

The imposing properties on St. Crispin Court which back onto properties on Churston Road, including Marcia and Colin Bates' home.

“Submit plans, build what you want, submit material amendment plans and expect them to be approved?

“I am sure many builders that follow the rules and regulations adhere to the approved set of plans will be interested if this is the new way forward, it is making a mockery of the whole planning process.”

The residents say a previous planning application for the changes was refused on January 30.

But they are now ‘having to go through it all again’, as the developer has submitted further plans for consideration.

In total, three sets of plans have now been submitted to the council, all of which have had to be looked at by the planning department.

“This has meant more meetings and more site visits by the councillors,” said Janet.

“This also a waste of council tax payers’ money.”

The residents say that the houses differ substantially from the plans which were originally submitted.

How the St. Crispin Court development looks from Churston Road properties.

They are also angry that a tree has been pollarded to make way for one of the homes and are worried that the development has increased the risk of flooding in the area.

“This development is having a negative effect on our quality of life and we can no longer enjoy our own homes and gardens in a private and peaceful manner,” said Janet.

A spokesperson for Anthony Aston Builders Ltd. said: “The builder confirms that, for various reasons, the houses at plots 1, 2 and 3 were not built exactly in accordance with the approved plans.

The builder apologises for any inconvenience and concern that this may have caused but it is very important to recognise that most of the amendments actually benefit local residents.”

Flooding on no. 17 Churston Road, which has happened three times in the last year since the building of St. Crispin Court properties on Ashgate Road.

“Anthony Aston Builders is a small local building company. They simply wish to be able to complete the development, allow families to move in, and remove the potential inconvenience of construction works from the site.”