Plans for 300 homes given the green light

The outline plans, submitted by William Davies Ltd, had previously been refused by Chesterfield Borough Council because of increase in traffic and concerns over provision of education, but the authority approved re-submitted plans at a meeting on March 14.

A consultation was carried out in 2014.

The decision by the council to refuse the application in November is the subject of an appeal by the planning inspectorate which is due to be heard by the inspector as four day public inquiry on July 26.

Permission was previously refused on the basis that the developers offer of funding 57 primary school places at a cost of £672,541 was not sufficient to meet the needs arising out of the development.

A council report states: “The proposed development falls within the normal area of Dunston Primary and Nursery School and the normal area of Outwood Academy, Newbold. We anticipate that the proposed development of 300 dwellings would generate 60 additional primary pupils, 45 secondary pupils and 19 post-16 pupils.”

At the start of the year 24 letters of objection and a petition signed by 265 people was submitted to the council. These included one from Dunston Lodge kennels who were concerned that houses being built close to kennels would result in ‘significant and demonstrable harm upon living conditions of nearby residents” due to the noise of dogs barking.

The re-submitted application had a additional recommendation of a section 106 agreement including negotiations for up to 30 per cent affordable housing and for the developer to fund 59 primary pupils at Dunston Primary School.

The site is an area of agricultural land of 15.1 hectares. Access to the site will be from a new junction from Dunston Lane.