Derbyshire villagers urged to have their say over housing scheme for 1,000 homes

Hallam Land, which has not yet submitted a planning application, hopes to build around 1,000 homes east of Manor Road, Brimington, with a new primary school and a 'mixed use local centre' as part of its 'Parkerswood' scheme on 61 hectares of agricultural land close to a conservation area and woodland.

But residents, who attended a public meeting in September organised by Brimington Parish Council, have already raised concerns the scheme will create overcrowding, increase traffic congestion, place a strain on limited infrastructure, pose flooding worries and mean the loss of greenspace and wildlife.

Brimington Parish Cllr Julie Williamson, who confirmed the launch of Hallam Land's consultation, said: "We have been promised all along there will be a public consultation prior or during the planning application period."

Cllr Williamson added: "One of the reasons for the meeting was to gauge public opinion. We have to listen to everybody. We definitely need to encourage people to respond to it.

"We need them to also respond to the formal planning application when that comes in too and we need people to be fully informed."

Brimington Parish Council, which has accepted an invitation to an online briefing session with the developer, has not yet formally established its position over the scheme despite sympathising with residents as it awaits the submission of a planning application to Chesterfield Borough Council who will approve or refuse the scheme.

The developers have been told they must provide an Environmental Statement with any future planning application for the borough council to first consider the proposal's potential impact on housing growth, urbanisation, traffic impacts and air quality.

Residents' objections also include congestion along an ambulance route to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and on nearby M1 motorway junctions, limited public transport, and the strain on the area's facilities and services.

Other concerns include groundwater contamination and fears for the nearby Westwood woodland and the loss of a strategic gap between different areas, and that brownfield sites should be used first for any housing plans.

One resident stated granting permission for such a development would mean an estimated additional 2,000 vehicle movements per day using Manor Road and they added this would be an 'act of crass irresponsibility'.

The resident also stated that any approval would show a callous disregard for the countryside especially when decades-old brownfield land, such as the Staveley Works site and the Robinson's site to the south side of Chatsworth Road and Chesterfield town centre, remain untouched.

Plans for the scrapped Chesterfield-Staveley bypass scheme, which aimed to alleviate congestion and open up brownfield sites for housing, will also pose fresh considerations for an area already struggling with a lot of traffic issues and pollution concerns, according to residents.

In addition, the Government is set to introduce new planning legislation in England from October 31 where certain applications will be considered by planning officers instead of planning committees to speed up developments in the pursuit of building 1.5m homes by 2029 due to a nationwide housing shortage.

Some fear the changes will mean less democratic oversight and reduced councillor and community involvement and influence over decisions though it is not known which process Hallam Land's expected planning application will be subject to.

Derbyshire County Cllr Richard Smith, who represents Brimington, has launched a petition opposing the proposed scheme which has attracted over 500 signatures.

He is concerned the scheme will have an impact on traffic and pollution levels and he raised concerns about potential flooding claiming the site is on a floodplain with underground springs.

Residents told the meeting in September there is already too much traffic in the area and they argued the scheme would place a strain on already overstretched medical services and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Agent Nineteen47, representing Hallam Land, has claimed the proposed development is not considered to result in significant environmental effects but the borough council has stipulated an Environmental Statement will be required with any planning application.

Nineteen47 has argued the site is located within a Flood Zone 1 on the Environment Agency Flood Map and it claims this means there is less than a one in 1,000 annual probability of flooding.

It also claims the site is accessible and near services and facilities including medical practices, a pharmacy, library, post office, several convenience stores, pubs and several nursery and primary schools with the nearest secondary school in Middlecroft to the east, or in Chesterfield to the west.

The scheme is also anticipated to involve 30.19hectares of public open space with a buffer to the woodland, drainage attenuation, landscaping, and two vehicle access points from Manor Road in the proposed site layout, according to Nineteen47.

Nineteen47 stated the applicant will seek measures to mitigate the development impact on highways and it would welcome the opportunity to review any indicative schemes that Derbyshire County Council's highways authority may have already developed.

A full Transport Assessment and Travel Plan will be prepared as part of the outline planning application to understand the transport impact and to encourage sustainable travel.

The applicant's agent explained that a full assessment will be undertaken with habitats created to compensate for losses and to provide gains and to determine whether a 10per cent net gain is achievable.

Nineteen47 stated other reports will be included in any application relating to ecology, flood risk and drainage, acoustics, air quality and a site investigation.

Derbyshire County Council's highways authority will also review the Transport Assessment in detail with any future planning application.

Hallam Land stated: "Engaging with the local community at this early stage is an important part of the process. Feedback received through this consultation will help identify local issues and inform the final planning application."

Those interested can provide feedback in Hallam Land's initial public consulation by visiting https://www.parkerswood.co.uk/ and https://www.parkerswood.co.uk/#Have%20Your%20Say for details.

Cllr Williamson added: "I would encourage everyone to read, and respond. We have requested other methods of looking at this and will be chasing this up as a matter of urgency."

Hallam Land and Nineteen47 was approached for comment.