The developers have now cleared another hurdle in their offer to build 141 houses in the land west of Chesterfield Road in Holmewood.
The construction company Berkeley DeVeer has obtained a building permit on the site and the district of North East Derbyshire after a successful application in 2016 advice has now given the green light for the design, access and division of the houses.
The builders say this is phase one of their plans – with a further 126 houses to follow and which have also received building permits beforehand.
Documents say there will be a mix of house types and a block of 10 apartments that will form the affordable housing element of the program.
Council planner Adrian Kirkham said there were “some positive elements of the design” including a “block structure”, although he admitted that others were “not optimal”.
He said, “The layout and scheme have some positive urban aspects while they are deficient in others.
“However, in terms of how the site interacts with other development going nearby, it is considered acceptable.”
The plans have been criticized by some Holmewood residents, with one claiming the area is being driven to the maximum level of development.
Christine Edwards’ objection letter stated: “The cumulative effects of the property will affect air quality and pollution, create noise and affect the motorway network in the immediate vicinity.”
Another local resident, Dan Sellers, is concerned about anti-social behavior and pesky motorbikes as the location is next to the Five Pits Trail.
“I am aware that off-road motorcycles are a huge problem and that their noise and the endangerment of the population can impair the quality of life,” he said.
“I used to live near the former Staveley Works and there were often young people out and about on off-road motorcycles.”
Derbyshire Police also described the layout of the houses as “poor” in terms of crime prevention due to the proximity to the path.
Police crime officer Keith Beswick said the request was “somehow unacceptable” “from a crime-fighting perspective and maximizing community security”.
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