News

Conservative Horsley By Election Candidate Amanda Paget, Courtesy Of Ms Paget.

Derbyshire Green Party refutes allegation of removing Tory by-election campaign leaflet from letterbox

By Jon Cooper - Local Democracy Reporting Service The Derbyshire Green Party has refuted ‘in the strongest terms’ allegations that one of their activists has removed a posted Conservative leaflet on the campaign trail before a by-election in the county. Conservative candidate Amanda Paget has filed a complaint with an officer at Amber Valley Borough Council ahead of the Derbyshire County Council Horsley division by-election, on January 20th, over claims that a Green Party activist removed a Tory campaign leaflet […]

20 January 2026 77

Students working with Think Ocean (Credit: DCG)

Ilkeston

DCG puts sustainability at the heart of teaching through innovative, industry-focused approach

Derby College Group (DCG) is leading the way in embedding sustainability meaningfully across Further Education, empowering educators and students with the confidence, skills and understanding needed to thrive in a rapidly changing green economy. Through an innovative Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Fellowship, DCG has successfully supported a cultural shift, moving sustainability away from being a ‘bolt-on’ topic and instead integrating it naturally within vocational and technical education, where it has the greatest impact. Led by Sophie Harris, Advanced Teacher […]

20 January 2026 25

The proposed plans for the former children's home in Albany Street, Ilkeston. Image from Guy Taylor Associates.

News

Plans approved to extend a former family centre into a four-storey block of flats – none “affordable”

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Plans to convert and extend a former Derbyshire family centre into a four-storey block of flats have been approved – but none will be “affordable”. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting this month, councillors begrudgingly approved plans to renovate, convert and extend the former Albany House family centre in Albany Street, Ilkeston, into 28 flats. The building, which has already been extended and converted into a four-storey modern property, had previously been […]

19 January 2026 26

Derbyshire Police Headquarters stock image. Image by LDRS/Nigel Slater.

News

Shamed police officer inappropriately touched staff and made sexual remarks

By Nigel Slater - Local Democracy Reporting Service A Derbyshire police officer slapped a female colleague’s buttock while on duty, inappropriately touched other staff and made disturbing sexual remarks to others. Police Constable Alexander Kimber “failed to maintain a professional boundary and/or had the potential to cause colleagues to feel harassed”, a misconduct hearing ruled. In one incident the officer, who has since resigned from the force, slapped a colleague’s buttock, while the hearing was told he had on one […]

19 January 2026 63

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

News

New US tariffs would be tough on exporters says Chamber

East Midlands Chamber has said fresh tariffs threatened on goods imports to the US would add to difficult conditions already faced by businesses trading overseas. President Trump has suggested tariffs of 10% could be imposed on eight Nato countries, including the UK, until a deal on Greenland is reached. East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The last thing exporters want to hear is any further tariffs applied to US goods imports, especially on the back […]

19 January 2026 21

Draycott

Councillors reject a ‘suspected planned attempt’ to turn part of protected Green Belt into a caravan park “like Skegness”

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Councillors have rejected a suspected planned attempt to turn part of the protected Derbyshire Green Belt into a caravan park “like Skegness”. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting this month, councillors unanimously rejected plans from private landowner Mr Nightingale to construct hardstandings for three caravans, a track and a bin store in a field off Hopwell Road, a mile north of Draycott, close to the A52. The application from Mr Nightingale details […]

19 January 2026 39

Ilkeston

Homes approved next to historic brickworks site after assurances over contamination investigations

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Dozens of homes have been approved next to an historic Derbyshire dumping site for hazardous waste following thorough assurances over investigations into contamination. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting this month, councillors approved plans from Waterville Land Ltd for 82 homes next to the former Oakwell Brickworks in Derby Road, Ilkeston. The field used for the housing development was never formally part of the brickworks, the meeting heard, with the brickworks becoming […]

19 January 2026 67

Borough Wide

Defence plan backs local jobs and drives economic growth

Midlands Mayors Richard Parker and Claire Ward are mobilising the region’s businesses to seize new defence industry opportunities as the government ramps up national security spending. Defence has already been identified as a key driver of the regional economy, and both Mayors have put support for the sector at the heart of their growth plans. Now, with global military and cyber threats higher than they have been for decades, the Mayors are bringing together top industry leaders so they can […]

19 January 2026 22

News

Discover volunteering opportunities with Erewash Sound

We're holding an introduction event for local people who are interested in joining our team of volunteers here at Erewash Sound radio station. There's no obligation, the event allows you to find out more about our not-for-profit social enterprise and the different roles available within our growing team. Our next introduction event is on Monday 2nd February at 7pm, but pre-registration is required. Please complete the form to register your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

19 January 2026 67

Derbyshire Green Party refutes allegation of removing Tory by-election campaign leaflet from letterbox

DCG puts sustainability at the heart of teaching through innovative, industry-focused approach

Plans approved to extend a former family centre into a four-storey block of flats – none “affordable”

Shamed police officer inappropriately touched staff and made sexual remarks

New US tariffs would be tough on exporters says Chamber

Councillors reject a ‘suspected planned attempt’ to turn part of protected Green Belt into a caravan park “like Skegness”

Homes approved next to historic brickworks site after assurances over contamination investigations

Defence plan backs local jobs and drives economic growth

Discover volunteering opportunities with Erewash Sound

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