Surveyors seen next to ancient woodland on the edge of Erewash

Around 150 people held a protest rally in their efforts to save the Chaddesden Wood ancient woodland. Individual pics are of Helen Cherry and David O'Dowd.

There are fears over the future of an historic Derby ancient woodland more than a year after plans for new homes were rejected.

Surveyors have been spotted on land next to the Chaddesden Wood nature reserve in Oakwood, sparking concerns about a new bid to build homes.

Councillors have told residents that a revised planning application is “almost 100 per cent certain” to be submitted.

According to Oakwood councillors Matthew Eyre, Freya Trewhella and Jamie Mulhall, residents contacted them after spotting “surveyors” around the large vacant green land off Lime Lane in the last few days.

No official application has been submitted for council consideration at the time of writing.

Last year almost 1,500 people objected to a planning application for 150 new homes on the site – fearing a new estate could harm the future of the neighbouring and popular nature reserve, which is said to have been in existence since around 1600.

Campaigners expressed concern that new homes on surrounding land would stop wildlife and water entering the woodland, leaving the valued space at risk of deterioration and dying out.

The woodland – owned by Derby City Council but run by the Friends of Chaddesden Wood volunteer group – has been described as “irreplaceable”.

Last year Heather Bryant, chair of the Friends group, “If the fields are replaced by hard surfaces not only will run-off water into Breadsall increase but the ancient woodland will lose its vital water supply and dry out.”

Applicant JGP Properties said assessments demonstrated “no loss or deterioration of the ancient woodland and veteran trees”.

The firm said the development of the site would “enhance habitats and encourage biodiversity through appropriate landscaping”.

Planning documents said the aim was to provide high quality new homes and “to strengthen the identity of Oakwood, along Lime Lane and the A608, to the edge of its defined settlement boundary”.

The developer argued the benefits of new homes, new public recreation spaces for habitat at an accessible location should have been given significant weight by the council’s planning meeting – but councillors refused the application.

It is not clear if the “surveyors” were making land and/or housing investigations but Oakwood councillors suggested it meant another application was “certain now”.

Around 150 supporters of the woodland packed the council chamber’s public gallery last July at a Derby City Council planning committee meeting.

The plans were unanimously refused by councillors after objectors demonstrated a peaceful protest outside the Council House before the meeting started.

Derby City Council has reconfirmed its intention to protect the woodland and surrounding land from development for at least the next 17 years.

The council’s draft Local Plan has earmarked the North Oakwood Green Wedge to be protected from development.