Developer withdraws plans for 100 new homes in Derbyshire

Plans for a major development of up to 100 homes in a Derbyshire village have been withdrawn.
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Michael Goodall Homes submitted a planning application to build the properties on land off Stretton Road, Morton, near Alfreton, in the summer of 2019.

The company promised a ‘high-quality residential scheme’ which would see the site ‘positively redeveloped in a short period of time'.

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However, it emerged this week that the application to North East Derbyshire District Council has now been withdrawn, after the development faced a number of questions about possible flood risks.

Developers have withdrawn their plans for 100 new homes on land off Stretton Road, MortonDevelopers have withdrawn their plans for 100 new homes on land off Stretton Road, Morton
Developers have withdrawn their plans for 100 new homes on land off Stretton Road, Morton

The site is currently farming land and within a few miles of several villages, including Morton, Stonebroom, Higham, Shirland, Tibshelf, Westhouses and Pilsley.

Access to the site is off Stretton Road.

A previous application, again of up to 100 homes, received planning permission in 2018.

Planning documents prepared by the Planning and Design Group said: “There would be no adverse impacts that would arise as a result of the proposal, which would outweigh the benefits of the scheme rather, the benefits weigh heavily in favour of the proposal.”

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Neil Radford, who describes himself as a ‘lifelong resident’ of Morton, wrote to the council at an early stage of the planning process to share his concerns about flood risks and the inadequate condition of the drainage system serving the new development.

“I do feel that an extra 100 new dwellings, which would have the potential for another 350-plus new residents to be adding their foul water to this system, would be seriously inadequate,” he wrote.

He added: "As a resident of this street for over 34 years, I have seen this field flood at the area where the largest of the ponds is proposed to be located.

"And on one occasion flooding the resident at number 66.”

However, planning documents say: “The outline application was accompanied by a full suite of technical supporting information, which considered traffic generation, ecological impacts, ground conditions, flood risk and drainage assessment, coal mining risk.

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"All of this background evidence remains pertinent and up to date.”

No reasons have been given by the developers for the plans to be withdrawn.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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