Decision to refuse Matlock housing overturned

An application to build 11 new homes on part of the car park at the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) headquarters, in Dimple Road, was resfused by Derbyshire Dales District Council earlier this year on grounds of design.

The following the decision, the charity appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which has since approved the application, which will see 11 three–bedroomed homes with associated car parking built on the site.

There will also be alterations to access to the site from Dimple Road.

Hayley Stevens, head of YHA estates, said: “We are pleased about the planning decision.

“We will now assess the opportunities it presents and our board of trustees will take a decision on the future of the land.”

Some residents living near to the proposed development have opposed it.

Grayden Daniels, of Wyvern Close, Matlock, whose home backs onto the existing YHA car park, said he was planning to write to the Planning Inspectorate, based in Bristol, to complain about the decision to overturn the planning application.

Upon refusing the application, members of the district council’s planning committee said they would be open to looking at revised plans for the site, which would involve a less intensive development.

The YHA is a charity which provides low budget accommodation to holidaymakers, while working to protect historic buildings.

A spokesman for the charity said it does not currently have a timescale for the work and the decision for when it will start will be made by members of the board of trustees in due course.

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