Plans for 160 homes approved by council

The plans were backed at a meeting on Monday

Plans for 160 homes on a former prisoner of war camp turned industrial estate in Derbyshire have been approved.

Amber Valley Borough Council backed the scheme from Garner Holdings to build the houses – which include 45 classed as affordable housing – on the Firs Works site in Spanker Lane, Nether Heage.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said 68 residents had filed objection letters, citing concerns over flooding, road safety for children walking to school and from industrial vehicles.

At a meeting on Monday the plans were approved by eight votes for, none against and three abstentions.

'Abide by the rules'

Dee Collins, the former chief constable of West Yorkshire Police until 2019, who lives in Nether Heage, told the meeting that surrounding homes were already flooding with sewage due to insufficient drainage systems and heavy rainfall.

She said the existing drainage pond on the site frequently flooded, affecting nearby homes, and that she feared the new one to be built as part of the homes scheme would not be managed after five years.

"I don't see how the infrastructure is going to cope with another 160 homes with 160 dishwashers and 160 washing machines," she said.

Jamie Pyper, agent for the applicants, said "significant perseverance" had brought the application to the final stage of approval and that concerns from residents related to issues that had already been signed off by expert authorities and earlier stages of planning.

"This is a well-considered and compatible form of development and improvement on the existing situation," he said.

Chris Emmas-Williams, the council leader, said the councillors "have to abide by the rules".

"I have a lot of sympathy for the residents, but as with all applications, we have to consider the legal arguments, and Derbyshire County Council flooding and highways have not objected," he said.

"I do welcome the 30% affordable housing, and as far as I am concerned, that commitment is sacrosanct."