Plans to build over 150 homes next to Walton Hospital in Chesterfield approved amid traffic fears

Plans to build more than 150 homes in Chesterfield have been approved approved – despite objections.
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Vistry Partnerships and Homes England are to build 153 properties and associated parking on unused land next to the town’s Walton Hospital, off Whitecotes Lane and Harehill Road.

The site has lain derelict for four years after the disused western wing of Walton Hospital was demolished.

An artist's impression of the properties. Picture: Vistry Homes/Vistry Partnerships.An artist's impression of the properties. Picture: Vistry Homes/Vistry Partnerships.
An artist's impression of the properties. Picture: Vistry Homes/Vistry Partnerships.
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Developers say 62 per cent of the homes will be affordable – but residents have raised a number of concerns.

In an objection letter to Chesterfield Borough Council, one resident living on Whitecotes Lane said: “Traffic on Whitecotes Lane is already atrocious.

“This development will just add more traffic to the road.

“How will schools and doctors cope with so many new residents?”

Another resident echoed those concerns, saying: “There will be an increase in cars on an already busy and dangerous road.

“The development will increase accidents.

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“Are there enough doctors and school places to accommodate the additional population?”

They added: “New houses are being built all over Chesterfield.

“Do we really need more when houses prices are having to be reduced to get sales?”

A report which was considered by members of the borough council’s planning committee states a transport assessment concluded ‘the development would not have a significant adverse effect on capacity or safety of the local road network.’

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The report adds that ‘primary and secondary schools would have sufficient capacity within the next five years to accommodate the additional pupils arising from this development’.

Developers will also be expected to contribute £73,536 to increase capacity at local GP services as part of a Section 106 agreement.

When the plans were announced earlier this year, Stephen Teagle, chief executive of Vistry Partnerships, said: “It’s a challenging time for the house-building and construction industry.

“We know that the demand for affordable, quality homes remains high and we are very well placed to get these underway as soon as we can.”

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The borough council’s planning committee grant conditional permission for the proposals during a virtual meeting on Monday.

Building work on the development is expected to begin early next year.

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