The Westthorpe planning application for up to 397 houses has restarted and residents can make sure their comments are heard before a decision is made by the Council’s Planning Committee.
Since the application was first submitted in October 2018, the plans have remained undetermined. A few weeks ago, however, following the conclusion of a “design review” it begun back in July, the developer put its findings to the Council – effectively restarting the application and putting the plans on track for a decision in the coming months.
As a result, if residents have strong views about Westthorpe, now is the time to make sure that they are highlighted to the Council. Many local residents wrote to the Council about this when the application was originally submitted in 2018 - and those views will be still taken into account when the final decision is made - but it may be worth getting in touch in the coming weeks to restate those views.
WHAT IS IN THE CURRENT APPLICATION?
The application remains for 397 houses, to be built over a number of years, with access points on both Upperthorpe Road and Green Lane. The developer has submitted what is known as an “outline application” which, in planning terms, is a relatively high-level set of proposals which ask whether development is acceptable in principle on the site, leaving the detail of exactly what the site, and the houses, will look like for future applications. The “design review” submitted a few weeks ago has not materially changed the application.
You can find out more of the details on the North East Derbyshire Planning Portal (go to www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk, click on “Planning Applications” and then search for the application using the reference “18/01003/OL”. All the documents and proposals put forward by the developer can be found there.
HOW TO COMMENT
You can provide your comments on the application in a number of ways:
1) Comment Online: Go to www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk and click on “Planning Applications”. Then search for “18/01003/OL ”. Click on “Comments” to be able to leave your views.
2) By Letter: Write to Planning Department, NEDDC, 2013 Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield, S42 6NG. Quote “18/01003/OL” in your comments.
3) By Email: Write to developmentcontrol@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk quoting “18/01003/OL”.
You can send in multiple comments so, even if you have commented already, you can return to add more or to reaffirm your earlier views. Whilst a formal date has not yet been set for the decision, as a rough guide, I would try to get your views in before the end of February 2022.
WHAT TO COMMENT ON
You can comment however you wish but you may wish to think, in particular, about the potential impact on the character of the area, the traffic / access, the suitability of the site (particularly the particular challenge around mineworkings), the impact on the environment / habitats / wildlife and the scale and design.
