More than 1,200 object to homes next to ancient wood

A plan has been submitted to build 150 homes bordering Chaddesden Wood in Derby

More than 1,200 objections have been lodged against a plan to build 150 homes on the edge of ancient woodland in Derby.

JGP Properties Limited wants to build the properties off Lime Lane in Oakwood, bordering Chaddesden Wood - which is believed to have existed since the Middle Ages.

But the scheme has been criticised by Mid Derbyshire MP Jonathan Davies, a countryside charity, ward councillors and the Woodland Trust.

Nick Charles from Friends of Chaddesden Wood (FoCW) told the BBC the site is a "vital" migration route for wildlife and building on it would "hem in" the woodland.

The housing would be built just north of Chaddesden Wood

A similar application for 120 properties was turned down in 2023.

In planning documents, the developer said the scheme would "safeguard land for flora and fauna for the long term".

It added: “[By making] better use of the existing agricultural land, turning a significant amount of the site into publicly accessible open space and green corridors, it's designed purposely to both protect and harmonise with the adjacent Chaddesden Wood."

Nick Charles from FoCW, said: "I agree, we do need more housing but the government's plan is to build on [what's called] the grey belt - this is not a grey area.

The site, pictured here in 2015, was used as a wheat field, FoCW said.

"This has been productive farmland for hundreds of years - it's not suddenly of low agricultural importance.

"There are a lot of houses in this area - surely there are better places. There are lots of brownfield sites in Derby.

"The wood is a nature reserve... anything that's built around it - that cuts it off - is really bad for the wood and the animals."

More than 1,200 people have objected to the proposals on the city council's planning website.

The plan is also opposed by Oakwood councillors Matthew Eyre, Freya Trewhella and Jamie Mulhall.

They said the "green wedge" would be "forever destroyed" and the wood "surrounded on all sides" from housing.

The woodland is thought to be at least 400 years old

The councillors also said they have concerns about the access from Lime Lane to the site.

Mid Derbyshire MP Jonathan Davies told the BBC the proposed development is not in an appropriate location.

"This plot provides the wider link to the green belt and without it, the quality of the biodiversity in the woodland would be undermined.

"We do have a housing crisis in this country... but that doesn't mean every site is up for grabs.

"In this case I don't want to see this site developed and there is strong feeling across the community."

Mid Derbyshire MP Jonathan Davies is opposed to the development

In the planning documents, JGP Properties Limited said: "Lime Lane is a sustainable location for residential development."

The company said the plan was "respectful of the environmental context within which it sits, seeking to include a mixture of good quality market and affordable housing, open space, green infrastructure corridors, improved connectivity and landscaping.

"This will facilitate a subtle and appropriate transition between the existing urban area and the countryside."

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