Concerns on potential for 400 homes on green belt

Derby City Council's draft Local Plan has earmarked green belt land off Stoney Lane in Spondon for the potential development of 400 homes

Concerns have been raised about a proposal which could see hundreds of homes built on green belt land in Derby.

The council's draft Local Plan - a guide earmarking potential new sites for housebuilding - has allocated land east of Stoney Lane in Spondon for a "minimum" of 400 homes.

Derby City Council said there would be a condition that 40% of units would be "affordable" and added they need to build on some green belt land in order to meet government house building targets.

But resident Simon Juniper, whose home backs on to the site, said: "I'm completely aware that houses need to be built, but it's nice to have some greenery where you live and it seems to be diminishing day by day."

The area outlined in the draft Local Plan where hundreds of homes could be built on the edge of Spondon

Mr Juniper has lived in Spondon for the past 12 years and told the BBC the area has seen a lot of development in recent years.

He said he was "disappointed" the green belt land, which adjoins his home, was chosen for potential development and said the planned access was close to a "dangerous junction" at the A52 Brian Clough Way.

"If you try and get a doctors or a dentist appointment these days, it's pretty poor. It's hard to get your kids in the schools that you want to," he said.

"With that, 400 new homes doesn't mean they'll be new doctors, new dentists, more amenities in general - Spondon is already struggling.

"If the infrastructure doesn't improve with the new housing, then it will make things worse."

Resident Simon Juniper said he was disappointed the green space was chosen for potential development

Spondon councillor Jonathan Smale also said there needed to be more housing in the city but said the Local Plan "is not radical enough".

He added the area is under more pressure from the Spondon Wood proposal, which is under the jurisdiction of Erewash Borough Council.

"Spondon has had its fair share of expansion or urban sprawl...we need to build up in the city centre, I believe we need to be really radical and abandon and ditch this idea that we're a one-storey, two-storey city.

"Other cities have made it work, you look at Manchester, Nottingham, London, where you have tall, high-rise quality housing and I feel like we need to be pushing that now.

"The city centre is crying for footfall - everyone lives outside the ring-road and we need more housing in the city centre."

Spondon councillor Jonathan Smale said the council needed to be more radical in its housebuilding plan

On the Stoney Lane site, the draft Local Plan states financial contributions for transport improvements and education places will be a requirement for any developer.

A noise reduction "buffer" will also be needed to mitigate the impact of noise from the A52.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, cabinet member for housing, said: "This new Local Plan for Derby has been designed to address the needs of our city both now and for the future, and ensure we meet the targets set by the government.

"These documents are crucial for guiding our developments, encouraging investment and economic development, and implementing protections for the environment.

"Therefore, the next step will be to consult on these proposals to ensure they meet local needs."