North Wingfield residents: '˜We don't want to lose our homes'

A number of homeowners on the Whiteleas Estate fear they could lose their long-term properties as part of a scheme to create 50 new houses in the village.

The £5million proposals would see homes on the estate replaced with a new development of homes and bungalows on adjoining land.

Robert Palfreyman has lived on Whiteleas Avenue for nearly 50 years and is affected by the plans.

The 65-year-old said: “I’ve organised a petition against these awful proposals and nobody wants them to happen.

“What is going to happen to me and all the other people who could lose their homes? Why can’t they just refurbish the current properties?

“There’s a lot of concern in the village and it’s just not right.”

Rykneld Homes and North East Derbyshire District Council are behind the plans.

In a joint statement from the two organisations, a spokesman said: “We are working in partnership to build 50 new modern and energy-efficient homes with the support of Government funding.

“These homes will replace post-war prefabs and defective non-traditional construction homes.

“Undertaking a comprehensive and long-term repair solution for these properties is extremely expensive and does not attract Government funding.

“Tenants and residents impacted by this new development have been regularly updated on the plans. We have held two rounds of public consultation events.

“There are 11 homeowners affected by the current plans and we have met with them all individually on two separate occasions to talk through the proposals and discuss their options, including selling their home to the authority and moving to a new council-owned property as a tenant or making their own arrangements to secure a new home elsewhere. We have no plans to make compulsory purchase orders as part of the current development.

“The response from within the local community has been extremely positive and we are working closely with all those affected to support them during this project.”