Inkersall residents fear housing masterplan

Residents are concerned about the plans to build homes on land off Bevan Drive in Inkersall.

At a meeting last week, Chesterfield Borough Council granted outline planning permission for Wildgoose Homes’ proposed housing development on land to the west of Bevan Drive.

Campaigners Roger and Christine Askew, of Bevan Drive, said: “Many residents have objected on various grounds, including an increase of traffic on roads which are struggling to cope now; a loss of a greenfield site and the effect on wildlife; the effect on the local GP surgery and the effect on local schools.”

Independent campaigner Mick Bagshaw added his voice to residents’ fears.

He said people were concerned about the land being contaminated with cadmium, an extremely toxic metal.

However, planning documents state the borough council appointed environmental consultants Ecus to test soil from the site for cadmium.

According to the planning documents: “Ecus confirmed that there was no presence of cadmium in the soils tested and no remediation of the site was necessary.”

Reuben Spears, development manager at Wildgoose, said: “We appreciate the views of the local community and have worked closely with the local authority and statutory consultees to ensure that this development is in a sustainable and suitable location.”