Controversial bedsit plan on crime-hit Chesterfield street turned down

Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee agreed 20 Albion Road should not be turned into a seven-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Residents had raised concerns about two existing HMOs on the road.

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Gina Kemp, who lives on the road, said: “While I understand there is a demand for, and a need to, provide homes for lower income individuals and couples and therefore the most vulnerable, I believe that Albion Road is an inappropriate location and hope that my concerns are not simply a knee-jerk reaction.”

Another resident, Greg Campbell, said his family had experienced anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, drug use and crime on the street.

He said his daughter ‘cannot walk from school on her own for fear of who she may meet’.

Applicant Dovedale Property Lettings had applied to change the use of the site to ‘multiple occupancy’ and claimed there was ‘strong local demand for accommodation of this nature, close to the central area of Chesterfield’.

However, councillors on the planning committee unanimously agreed to reject the proposal.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The committee rejected this application based on the advice of council officers. The council received objections to this application from local residents, ward councillors, the police and the community safety partnership.

“The main concerns raised were highway safety and potential anti-social behaviour as a result of the change of use. The applicant can appeal this decision.”