Darley Dale residents left angry after council approves 100 new homes

Derbyshire Dales Council has approved plans to build 100 new family homes in Darley Dale, despite objections from neighbouring residents.
Derbyshire Dales District Council has given the greenlight to a new housing development on land south of Station Road and Dale Road in Darley Dale, in spite of fierce local opposition.Derbyshire Dales District Council has given the greenlight to a new housing development on land south of Station Road and Dale Road in Darley Dale, in spite of fierce local opposition.
Derbyshire Dales District Council has given the greenlight to a new housing development on land south of Station Road and Dale Road in Darley Dale, in spite of fierce local opposition.

The planning committee met on Thursday, June 21, and voted 10-to-one in favour of developer Charles Church’s proposal for land south of Dale Road and Station Road.

The site has long proved contentious, with residents’ groups and town councillors mobilising strong opposition.

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Mayor Louise Boardman said: “People in the town are feeling very angry and disappointed about the decision. Unfortunately we cannot change it.

“We must now work with the developers to ensure people have a final say on how the scheme will look and how things like traffic will work.”

A plan for 126 homes on the site was withdrawn by Charles Church’s sister company Persimmon Homes last September after officers criticised its inadequate preparation.

This time, council officers received 48 representations from residents, most calling for them to reject the plans.

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The mayor addressed the committee meeting in person, setting out the main objections. She said: “The associated impact on the community will be huge and lasting. Our community deserves to have their concerns heard.

“We were very disappointed at the outright rejection of our invitation for the developer to meet with the town council and local people as part of a public consultation process.”

In a detailed speech, she noted how the application contradicted the National Planning Policy Framework, Derbyshire Dales’ Local Plan and the Darley Dale Neighbourhood Plan, and would place further pressure on the congested A6 route.

She also cited a recent planning refusal for a nearby site, judged to be “significantly harmful to the landscape and visual effects and harm the character and appearance of the area.”

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The mayor added: “The green fields in Darley Dale are part of the distinct character of the parish and the views into and out of the Peak District which we intend to protect.

“The scenery and open nature of our surroundings are key reasons people want to come here to live and work.”

Final approval is subject to a Section 106 agreement between Charles Church and the district council to ensure the scheme meets affordable housing obligations and makes funds available to create 17 new places at Darley Churchtown Primary School.

To view the application in full, search for 17/01243/FUL at derbyshiredales.gov.uk. To read the council officers’ report, see https://goo.gl/1PfkrQ.