CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

John Bowden takes time out to reflect on the past, comment on the present
and look to the future.  In this issue, the plan to develop 'Chellaston Fields' is examined.

John's Annual Report for 2010/11 can be found here

Chairman’s Corner 21

Time to Plough Up Chellaston Fields 

Only a few weeks ago, the CRA was discussing proposals for housing growth for Derby as part of consultations that the City Council is carrying out to draw up a local development framework.  Whilst it is recognised that the city and county will need more housing, it was generally agreed that Chellaston has already been developed as far as it can, given the present infrastructure and facilities servicing the area which are stretched to breaking point.  To name but a few, the schools are full or very nearly so, the relief road is not complete and we no longer have a GP practice in the centre of Chellaston where it would be convenient for residents to get to.  Even before the consultation has been completed and well before any conclusions about where the housing developments should go, we learn that a developer, Talavera Properties, wishes to build on 48 acres of land to the south of Chellaston, which is in South Derbyshire and, if approved, this would mean that Chellaston would expand still further with several hundred new dwellings and even an hotel.

We do not believe that it is in Chellaston’s interest to have this development.  It will add to our already difficult traffic conditions, not only with the additional construction vehicles during the building phase but also with hundreds of extra cars once it is built.  The main access to the proposed development will be from the A514 Swarkestone Road – the new intersection is bound to add to the queuing traffic we see every day and is likely to cause new hazards on this route in view of its proximity to the roundabout over the A50.  We should also ask ourselves where the children of the new residents will be educated, where they will shop and who will be paying for any improvements in roads and facilities in the community.  We understand that the developer has already been in discussion with both Chellaston Academy and South Derbyshire about school provision and it is not clear what effect this will have on our existing schools in Chellaston.

It is most important that we stop this development, to be known as Chellaston Fields, in its tracks. The developer has held a consultation day at Chellaston Academy recently and this has been the first opportunity for residents to see what may be proposed and to comment on them.  When I was there, a good number of visitors were in attendance but I did not hear many approving voices and I hope the representatives got a clear message about the strength of feeling amongst our population that this development will not enhance Chellaston but is likely to have a negative effect.  For many developments, such negative effects would be balanced to some extent by “Section 106 money”, that is, a payment from the developer towards the cost of the provision of roads, schools and other facilities which might be needed to support the new community.  In this case, as the development lies in South Derbyshire, it is they who will benefit from any section 106 cash, not Derby city or, more importantly, Chellaston.  This is clearly unfair, as it will be the City and Chellaston that bears the brunt of the additional 1500+ people that the development will bring.  We are not alone in this – many towns and cities are seeing proposals for new developments which are effectively “bolted onto” the existing urban area but nevertheless are outside of their  boundary and do not contribute community charge to that town or city.

We would urge anyone who could not get to the developer’s consultation day to have a look at their website, www.chellastonfields.com, where all of the plans are available as well as a feedback form so you can have your say.  Similarly, it will be important for responses to be made to South Derbyshire Planning Department when a formal application is made for this development, and we will publicise this on our website if and when it happens.

The CRA will of course be doing all it can, but it will also send a very clear message to the planners if a significant number of residents object to the proposals at the outset.  The choice is yours!

You will have a chance to air your views at a Public Meeting being arranged by the CRA.  This will be held on Wednesday 1st February at 7.30pm.  Venue:  Refectory, Chellaston Academy.

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