Huge 300-home plan gets blasted

In a planning statement the developer says the 14-hectare site will include a mix of homes no more than 2.5 stories in height with 40 per cent reserved for affordable housing.

The site, which lies to the north west of Holmgate, with access via Coupe Lane, is bordered to the south, east and north with residential developments and to the west with agricultural land.

But residents, who have submitted a further 28 letters of objection since Derbyshire Times first reported the development plans last week, say the housing will put an unbearable strain on already over-stretched local services and pose an increased risk to an area already prone to flooding.

Brenda Ball, of Woodland Way, Old Tupton, said: “It is already almost impossible to obtain an appointment to see a GP and the provision of 300 more homes in the area will undoubtedly push GP services beyond breaking point.

“Coupe Lane is constantly being flooded when we have normal rain, never mind the torrential rains that we have experienced recently.

“With 300 houses built on the fields and the associated covering of land with patios, driveways and roads, this can only lead to more flooding, causing problems on the surrounding roads and gardens.”

Many of the letters also highlight concerns over increased congestion along Coupe Lane and at several of the junctions which feed into it which the development may cause.

Pegasus Group, representing the developer’s application, said that most of the site’s amenities would be provided by Clay Cross, with transport provided by two pairs of bus stops, both located along Coupe Lane.

The firm was contacted for comment by Derbyshire Times prior to publication but none was provided.

Karen Watkinson, of NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We can confirm that we are aware of the development at Old Tupton and a funding request has been made to the developer through the planning department.

“The funding request is to support patient capacity at the two nearest GP practices at Clay Cross Medical Centre and Blue Dykes Surgery in Clay Cross and their respective branch sites in Tupton (Clay Cross) and Grassmoor (Blue Dykes). The exact use of any proposed funding will be subject to agreement between the CCG, the planning department and the developer.”