Delight at decision to scrap targets for building homes
CAMPAIGNERS say they are "thrilled and relieved" at the Government's plans to scrap controversial housing targets in Derbyshire.
Councils in Derby, South Derbyshire, Erewash and Amber Valley had been told by the previous Labour Government that they must build 36,600 new homes in the county by 2026.
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John McCartney
But the new Con-Lib coalition Government has confirmed it plans to scrap regional spatial strategies across the UK and return decision-making powers on housing to local authorities.
Sites earmarked for potential development in Derby had included Mickleover, Littleover, Sinfin, Chellaston and the Boulton Moor area.
In South Derbyshire, more than 200 sites and 1,721 hectares, or 4,252 acres of land were submitted for consideration.
Residents said they were delighted that the housing targets are now being scrapped.
John McCartney, of Paxton Close, Mickleover, said: "It's a huge relief because had the new houses have been built, it would have been horrendous. The increased congestion, the overwhelming of our facilities – it would have been awful.
"Mickleover has already expanded beyond its capabilities. We're looking forward to seeing these regional strategies being properly disbanded."
Lifelong Breaston resident Margaret McCaig, of Wilsthorpe Road, said she was "elated" at the decision.
The biggest development earmarked for the village was for 150 homes at the former Western Mere School, Hind Avenue.
Mrs McCaig said: "The decision to scrap housing targets is the best thing that's happened.
"It would have had a huge impact. We already have the biggest primary school in Erewash and it's practically full as it is. It simply would be unable to cope with another huge intake. Parking at the school is already a nightmare – can you imagine a whole new estate and the impact that would have had?
"I'm a big believer in local people knowing what's best for the local area. How can people in Brussels or Westminster know what's best for here? Breaston is a village and we wish it to remain that way. What we don't want is a sprawl – if we start sprawling bit by bit, the next thing that happens is we've been connected up to Borrowash.
"Hearing that the new coalition Government is planning to scrap the housing requirements is wonderful."
Mum-of-two Fiona Adams, 39, said her Aston-on-Trent home was on a map of an area previously identified as having potential for 753 new houses.
She said: "I was worried. I've lived here for 15 years and my kids love it here. We didn't want things to change.
"I'm glad someone's seen sense and realised targets set by the previous Government were unrealistic."
The new Conservative MP for South Derbyshire, Heather Wheeler, said: "This is the death knell to the hated target of thousands of extra homes in South Derbyshire.
"We all agreed that we did not want these homes taking up great swathes of greenfield sites. This means that we can concentrate on building on brownfield sites."
9 Comments
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by Res, Derby, Derby
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 7:02PM
“Carole, you make my point for me. All those houses built on the borders of Mickleover BUT in South Derbyshire will now avail themselves of the Mickleover services but pay their council tax to Swadlincote. Next thing you know, John Port will refuse to take any more children from within the city boundary i.e. Mickleover. I think you should speak to your Mickleover Lib Dem councillors about this and get them to fight it for you.”
by Council tenant, Derby
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 6:32PM
“Frank -
You are completely right. Social housing tenants and those with mortgages (otherwise known as private owners) should not be put together. What a pity the council sold off most of the social housing in the first place. This IS the kind of housing needed, not more flats/ apartments and luxury home.
As a council tenant, who pays rent, is debt free, well behaved, ( I could go on), I get sick to death with my private owner neighbours.They are selfish, ignorant people. They come home late,usually drunk. Their dogs bark anytime after 5.30am in the front garden. They park on corners and up paths. They regularly have a garden full of drunks having BBQs until 1-2am , in the summer , when some of us have to get up for work at 4am.
The otherside (Also private owners) have decided their dogs are "Outside dogs" and their garden is usually filled with half the neighbourhoods children. I won't tell you about those opposite but you must now get my drift.”
by Carole, Mickleover
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 4:06PM
“Thank you for your observation Res.
Paul, as you reside in South Derbyshire this is of little concern to you.
As for 'not in my back yard' you show a level of ignorance about Mickleover.
We have a 24 hour Tesco and Petrol Station, Pubs, Schools and the Station Road rat-run used by thousands of non-residents to cut from the A38/A50 (Toyota) junction through to the A52 and A38 northbound @ Markeaton.
We have parking congestion beyond belief caused by the influx of workers to Derby City Royal Hospital, AND A POPULATION OF CIRCA 20,000 ALREADY!
I will stand up and be counted and defend my comments. email me at roselyn54@live.co.uk and I'll arrange to take you on a tour of Mickleover so you can comment from an informed perspective.
Incidentally, one thing about housing in Mickleover is that it is not generally 'affordable' -whether built in my back yard or not.”
by Res, Derby, Derby
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 3:27PM
“You are all missing the point here. The local district councils, e.g. South Derbyshire, Amber Valley will now build their houses on the fringes of Derby so that they impact on Derby's services but they will pay their council tax to the district authorities who will gain the benefit. This will preserve villages like Repton, Aston and Melbourne who would have had to take their share when the housing developments were being planned by central government. Places like Mickleover will therefore be more adversely affected than before.”
by Paul, Hilton
Wednesday, June 02 2010, 1:57PM
“Frank - without mobile phone masts there can't be mobile phones. Happy days!”