House building set for approval on site of former Ilkeston social club

Credit: PIxabay

Plans to build houses on the site of a former Derbyshire social club are set for approval despite objections.

The demolition of the former Enterprise Sports and Social Club in Station Road, Ilkeston, started last June and was accompanied by concerns over the future of the once beloved site.

Now plans from Beeston-based Mypad seek to build 16 houses on the former venue, comprising two-storey, two-bed semi-detached properties – none of which would be classed as affordable housing.

Erewash Borough Council officials have recommended the approval of the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, November 11th.

A total of four objection letters have been submitted to the council with concerns over loss of privacy, light, biodiversity, coal mining history, flooding and knotweed.

In a council report, the authority says the loss of a bowls pitch was seen as a reduction in an area of surplus sports facilities, branding it a “sport in decline”.

On the grounds of the loss of privacy and light, council officials wrote: “It is inevitable that there will be some overlooking of existing neighbouring properties as a result of the development and between the proposed dwellings themselves.

“Whilst this is acknowledged, the level of overlooking presented by the development is not considered to be in excess of that ordinarily expected in a residential environment.

“Inevitably, the development of this site will result in many changes for those residents who live nearby. 

“The site is currently undeveloped, and the development of 16 dwellings will result in physical and visual changes to the area and will result in more noise than has been previously experienced from the site. 

“However, it is considered that the development has been designed such that the impact arising would not result in unacceptable harm to the residential amenity of surrounding properties.”

The council has policies requiring 10 per cent of homes in Ilkeston to be badged as affordable housing, but a report states that, due to the low financial viability of the plot, this requirement is to be waived.

Officers added: “It is considered that due to the low price-ceiling for two-bedroom dwellings in the Ilkeston urban area and the small scale of the scheme, it would not be able to support affordable housing provision or other financial contributions.”

After talks with officers and representatives from Derbyshire County Council, trees on Station Road which were to be cut down to make way for access are to be retained, with tree and root protection zones enforced.

Outside the site is a decaying county council bus stop and shelter, which now reads “Social C b”, but the venue that served as the marker for this port of call is no longer there.

In their recommendation, council officials wrote: “The proposal is considered to be of an acceptable design which will not adversely impact upon the amenity of neighbouring properties, the character of the street scene, or compromise highway safety. The social and economic benefits of providing 16 dwellings are significant and considered to outweigh residual concerns.”