Thumbs up for residential plan in Derby green wedge

Outline proposals to build up to 350 homes on Moorway Lane have been approved, after an application from Ainscough Strategic Land survived a knife-edge committee vote.

Under plans first put forward for the 46-acre grassland plot in October last year, a local centre earmarked for a “likely convenience store” will also be built on the northern edge of the scheme.

The site is within an area earmarked as one of Derby’s “green wedge” areas in the city’s now out-of-date local plan, 13 areas of land protected under a policy intended to prevent urban sprawl within the city.

The application sparked more than 200 objections from residents during the consultation period, while campaign group Greener Littleover gathered a 3,390-strong petition against the proposals.

In a report to committee, the city council’s planning officers said that while Derby’s green wedges served an “important” placemaking function, the policy had been established “in the context of a different housing need” than the city now faces.

Under the most recent housing requirement calculations, Derby needs to build 960 homes per year, but the city council can currently only demonstrate a 2.7-year supply of housing land.

Planning officers said that while the scheme “completely conflicted” with the local authority’s green wedge policy, a viable open space could be retained if only part of the site were developed – as in the case of the application being considered.

“This high level of housing need is very material in determining any application which could meet housing needs, including this one,” read a report by the city council’s planning officer.

“In this case the benefits of the proposal are, in my opinion and judgment, very significant. They comprise a significant number of new homes (up to 350) and a local plan compliant quantum of affordable homes (30%), which would be provided in the context of very significant general and affordable housing needs,” they added.

The application was approved by Derby City Council’s planning committee on 1 October, passing by four votes to three.

Marrons provided planning support and illustrative masterplans for the proposals.

• Plans and documents relating to the scheme can be viewed on Derby City Council’s planning portal using reference: 25/01544/OUT