Residents urged to have their say on plans for massive new Derbyshire housing development

Waystone Ltd has submitted a planning application to Bolsover District Council for a possible 24 hectare site which would see them build approximately 1,800 residential dwellings and other community and commercial facilities called Clowne Garden Village.

The planning application for land on the outskirts of the historic mining community progressed to a planning committee in June 2018 but has remained undetermned and the council is currently considering updated information from Waystone submitted in May, 2023.

Many residents from both the village of Clowne and nearby village Barlborough have raised concerns about the plans to develop land north of Clowne, including part of the village centre off Hickinwood Lane.

These include the possible impact on highways, drainage, flooding, and existing services such as schools and healthcare, as well as the potential loss of countryside and the impact on wildlife.

Concerned Barlborough resident Dee Dell said: “Locals agree that housing is needed, but should be affordable and built on properly cleaned-up brownfield sites. This farmland is the wrong place for more factories, a hotel and restaurant, all of which the developer wants to build. The sewage system would require a massive upgrade, and there is no guarantee of adequate drinking water supply.”

Mrs Dell added: “The houses planned would be unaffordable for locals, so the community-feel would be destroyed, as buyers would have no links to the existing village. The huge estate would just be a dormitory for M1 commuters, encouraging ever more car use, while local services like schools and GPs’ lists are already full to overflowing.”

She also fears the development may cause serious flooding to existing homes below it and pollution to streams that are currently clean.

The plans have previously also included suggestions for a possible retirement village, a neighbourhood centre, a hotel, a restaurant, health and care provision and support for educational and recreational use with a green infrastructure.

Both Waystone and the council have already been consulting with residents in Clowne and Barlborough as well as with a large number of organisations including National England, the Coal Authority, the Environment Agency, Highways England, Yorkshire Water, Derbyshire County Council and others.

During initial proposals Waystone acknowledged some opposition but also pointed out that a good number of people were supportive and positive about the plans and welcomed the potential for economic growth, jobs and facilities.

Mrs Dell added: “If allowed, this would destroy Green Belt land, and savage rare animals, birds and flowers. Desperate traffic queues would result all the way to M1 Junction 30, and local schools could not cope.”

The development had been put on hold while the Treble Bob roundabout, at Barlborough, has been subject to considered improvements and discussions with the highways authority.

Those wishing to find out more concerning the planning application can do so by visiting Bolsover District Council’s website quoting Planning Application 17/00640/OUT, and they can submit views by emailing or writing to Bolsover District Council quoting the same application reference.