New 90-home site in Derby closer to reality

How a new 90-home development could look off Royal Hill Road, Derby. Images by Pegasus Group/Miller Homes.

A hugely controversial plan to build 90 homes in Derby is closer to reality after it passed a further milestone.

Derby City Council chiefs have approved a key document for the homes to be built off land at Royal Hill Road in Spondon – which effectively allows building work to start in due course.

It comes after a four-day public inquiry which saw Miller Homes successfully appeal a decision by the council to refuse outline plans.

Homeowners on Royal Hill Road placed signs on windows, doors, lamp posts as well as trees calling for the land to be saved.

Some of the signs said: “Green fields, NOT more homes.”

But despite the concerns of nearby residents and councillors, the outline plans got the green light.

Afterwards, a reserved matters application was submitted which provided specific details such as design materials, appearance and access issues.

This secondary application was formally approved by council bosses on Friday (July 10th).

The 1.98-hectare “high-quality” residential development will offer a mix of one to four-bedroom properties “to meet local need”.

Around 30 per cent of the new homes will be affordable housing.

It will also feature approximately 2.4 hectares of open space – around the size of three football pitches.

The plans were first refused by the city council’s planning committee following deep concerns the new homes would be built on “green wedge” land between Spondon and Chaddesden.

Councillors and worried residents believed the land – used to separate suburbs – should have been protected.

But during a planning inquiry, legal representatives for Miller Homes argued local housing targets were “not being met” – therefore a tilted balance should have applied in favour of the application.

The developer stated the proposal “would not adversely impact” the green wedge function as some open undeveloped land would be retained.

Miller Homes’ appeal was supported by Planning Inspectorate Mr Smith who allowed planning permission to be granted.

A new planning statement from Miller Homes reads: “Land off Royal Hill Road, Spondon will provide a high-quality, distinctive residential neighbourhood that draws on the positive attributes of local vernacular architecture while contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive and forward looking community.

“The design respects its context while introducing a variety of well-designed homes, open spaces, and streetscapes that together foster a strong identity and enduring sense of place.”