Housing plan on edge of ancient woodland

Farmland on the edge of an ancient woods is the subject of a fresh bid to build housing

Plans have been submitted to build 150 new homes on the edge of an ancient woodland in Derby.

Almost 700 objections were made against a withdrawn scheme to build 120 homes on farmland off Lime Lane in Oakwood on the northern edge of Chaddesden Wood in 2023.

Developer JGP Properties Limited has submitted a fresh planning application to create what it calls “a sustainable and integrated new urban area within Oakwood”.

Chaddesden Wood has existed since the Middle Ages and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

In planning documents, JGP said the development would “safeguard land for flora and fauna for the long term” and would integrate open spaces and green corridors “to both protect and harmonise” with the oak woodland.

It added: “The proposals set back housing significantly from the wood and in the land in between, facilitate the creation of new green corridors.”

Oakwood councillors Matthew Eyre, Freya Trewhella and Jamie Mulhall plan to fight the latest plan, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a statement they said: “We knew this day was coming, and we need everyone on board to defeat this application, just like we did last time.

“We know new housing is needed, but hemming in Derby’s ancient woodland, putting the access route on Lime Lane and concreting over the Green Wedge whilst providing no new schools, doctors or the upgrades we need is the wrong approach.”

The ancient woodland is in the Oakwood area

In 2015, a plan by JGP Properties for 250 homes on an adjacent site south of Mansfield Road was approved despite a campaign by the Friends of Chaddesden Wood which said the housing would pose a threat to woodland which is “an oasis for birds and other wildlife”.

Protester Maggie Cooper said: “Birds, bats and butterflies use the wood and it's a precious piece of ancient woodland.”

If approved, the latest development would fully enclose the nature reserve in housing.

So far, more than 30 objections have been lodged with Derby City Council planners.

A spokesperson for the planning authority said the reasons behind any objections would be made public in a report to the council’s planning committee.

People have until 21 August to comment on the proposal, before it is considered by the council.

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