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The former Oakwell Brickworks site slotted between Kirk Hallam, Little Hallam and Ilkeston Picture: RSK/Picture The Past

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 14

The proposed children's home in Springfield Gardens, Ilkeston. Image from Google

Borough Wide

Ilkeston house approved to become children’s home despite local objections

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service A house in a Derbyshire town can now be converted into a children’s home despite objections from dozens of residents. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting this month, councillors approved plans from Sterling Supported Living Ltd to convert a semi-detched house in Springfield Gardens, Ilkeston, into a children’s home for three young people aged eight to 18. Council documents state that an opposing petition signed by 82 people had been submitted to […]

19 January 2026 11

Borough Wide

Pair charged following reported assault of teenager in Ilkeston

A pair of teenagers have been charged with a number of offences following the alleged assault of a teenager in Ilkeston. The force was called to reports of a teenaged boy being assaulted by two people at a property in Muskham Avenue, Cotmanhay, Ilkeston, at 8.30pm on 13th January. Two teenagers were arrested after a car linked to the incident was spotted later that night and failed to stop before the pair ran from the car and were detained nearby. […]

15 January 2026 6

Borough Wide

Erewash MP experiences selling The Big Issue in Ilkeston

Erewash MP Adam Thompson has been on to the streets of Ilkeston to join local Big Issue vendor James Allerton. On a freezing January morning, which was all the better for Adam to see the tough realities of life on the streets, James told Adam that Saturdays are always a quiet day for trade, and on that specific morning temperatures were literally below zero. James begins his day selling at 8am, staying out through to 2pm, six days a week, […]

12 January 2026 28

Borough Wide

Derby College Group sites closed: 09/01/2026

Derby College Group report that, due to the current severe weather conditions and significant travel disruptions in and around Derby, all DCG sites will be closed today - Friday 9th January 2026. Some bus and train routes are not operating, making travel unsafe and unreliable. Teaching and support activities will move online where possible, and further updates will be provided via email. Although weather conditions are expected to improve later today, students should NOT attempt to travel to any DCG […]

9 January 2026 15

The new pitch at The Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston (Credit: EBC)

Borough Wide

Sports park strolls help Stephen defy spine injury

An Erewash spine injury sufferer who feared ending up in a wheelchair has told how the launch of a walking initiative in the borough has helped to transform his life. The formerly fit and active resident, called Stephen, was left battling excruciating pain as his world came crashing down. Amid fruitless attempts to rebuild his mobility he was given a frightening diagnosis – that the agony from the severe injury to his lower spine could see him confined to a […]

8 January 2026 13

Borough Wide

Police and Trading Standards officers carry out raid on South Street shop

Ilkeston Police officers have joined forces with Trading Standards officers to carry out a raid in the town. The operation between the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team from Derbyshire Constabulary along with County Council officials, targeted a shop on South Street on Wednesday 7th January. Thousands of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products were found behind the counter and within a false wall. Further products were also found in the shopkeeper's car, which was subsequently seized, and the shop has been […]

7 January 2026 15

Plans to build homes bordering a widely contaminated historic former Derbyshire industrial site are set for approval. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting next week, councillors are being recommended to approve plans for 82 homes next to the former Oakwell Brickworks, between Ilkeston, Kirk Hallam and Stanton, stemming off Derby Road. If approved, part of the heavily contaminated former brickworks would be built on, but just for a flood water collection pond, not for homes. The Grade-II listed and heavily dilapidated former Hoffman kiln at the centre of the former brickworks site would not be affected. Residents remain concerned about what potential impact the proposed development could have on the hazardous waste deposited on the brickworks site. Meanwhile, experts, including the Mining Remediation Authority, while not objecting, say “intrusive” site investigation works followed by any required remediation, must take place before work starts. Further officials say investigations to date have been “limited in scope” and need to be re-explored in depth. Documents submitted by the developers, Waterville Land Ltd, found “there was a low risk to future residents from any potential on-site and off-site sources of contaminants”. The area which forms part of the former brickworks, which is to be used for a floodwater drainage pond, “was not investigated due to the presence of a sewer and dense vegetation”. It details: “However, no signs of raised ground were observed, and as this area is proposed for public open space this is unlikely to present a significant risk. It is recommended that additional investigation is undertaken once the area has been cleared.” Comments from the borough council’s housing and policy teams list their support for the scheme, utilising land in the Ilkeston urban area and inclusion of 15 per cent affordable housing – 12 two-bed houses. A total of 11 objection letters have been submitted by residents, opposing the potential harm to widespread wildlife and the landscape, road safety issues, increased congestion, lack of infrastructure such as health and school facilities, and concern over contamination and associated health risks. Council officers, recommending approval, said: “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 82 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 applicant has supplemented their initial eight boreholes with a further five along the boundary with the former brick pit. “These found no evidence that the brick pit extended onto this land, no evidence that there is made ground on this land from the brick pit, and no evidence that any contamination associated with the brick pit is leaching onto this development site. “The applicants therefore conclude that they consider the development site to fall in the lowest risk category for contamination.” The developers have committed to providing £162,000 for improvements at Field House Infant School, £153,000 for improvements at Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy, £82,000 for improvements at nearby healthcare facilities and £5,700 for Ilkeston Library stock. If approved, the breakdown of house sizes would be: 35 two-bed houses, 45 three-bed houses and two four-bed houses. The site’s history stretches back more than 100 years, during which it has been mined for coal, become a dumping site of harmful and toxic materials, seen widespread fly-tipping of asbestos, been a storage space and tip for World War Two bombs – as well as a renowned brickworks. Contamination fears have consistently stalled housing plans on the overall former brickworks, with the borough council having earmarked the site for 519 houses and a further 138 on adjoining plots in 2012. Much of the land was used for the dumping of offshoots from the Stanton Ironworks nearby – the firm had bought the brickworks in 1919 and later merged it fully with its own operations. Ground investigation expert RSK was commissioned to look into the site by owners Tata Steel. It noted that Stanton had filled clay pits on the site with blast furnace and concrete slurry, oil residue, coke grit, ammonia and sulphur building waste including foundry sand, spent lime and asbestos-containing materials. RSK found that the “main contaminant of concern” was lead while there were also “elevated concentrations” of arsenic, cyanide and benzo(a)pyrene (a material found in coal tar and tobacco which causes cancer). It said that asbestos material has also been found in samples and seen on the site from historic and current fly-tipping issues.

Borough Wide

Plans for homes bordering widely contaminated historic former Erewash industrial site set for approval

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service Plans to build homes bordering a widely contaminated historic former Derbyshire industrial site are set for approval. At an Erewash Borough Council meeting next week, councillors are being recommended to approve plans for 82 homes next to the former Oakwell Brickworks, between Ilkeston, Kirk Hallam and Stanton, stemming off Derby Road. If approved, part of the heavily contaminated former brickworks would be built on, but just for a flood water collection pond, […]

7 January 2026 50

Erewash Borough Council headquarters in Long Eaton. Photo by Eddie Bisknell.

Borough Wide

Borough Council set to scrap housing plans after Government inspector states they are not fit for purpose

By Eddie Bisknell - Local Democracy Reporting Service A Derbyshire council is set to scrap its future plans for thousands of homes after a Government planning inspector said it would be effectively not fit for purpose. Erewash Borough Council has been working on a blueprint – called the Core Strategy – laying out plans which earmarked sites for thousands of homes and acres of employment space up until 2040. It was submitted for inspection by the Government more than three […]

6 January 2026 57

Ilkeston

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

Ilkeston house approved to become children’s home despite local objections

Pair charged following reported assault of teenager in Ilkeston

Erewash MP experiences selling The Big Issue in Ilkeston

Derby College Group sites closed: 09/01/2026

Sports park strolls help Stephen defy spine injury

Police and Trading Standards officers carry out raid on South Street shop

Plans for homes bordering widely contaminated historic former Erewash industrial site set for approval

Borough Council set to scrap housing plans after Government inspector states they are not fit for purpose

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