'Favourable' public reaction fails to sway protest group
PLANS for the a controversial Derbyshire development have gone on show to the public.
The company behind the Ripley Gateway scheme submitted its plans late last month, and said that public reaction had so far been favourable.
The development in Nottingham Road would include a Morrisons supermarket and a second section of the A610 link road.
The project would also involve a new housing development on land that was previously intended for industrial use and a new open space, Greenwich Park, which would including a junior football pitch, a senior pitch, sports pavilion, play areas and a skate park.
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The project has been designed by property developer Clowes Westerman, which has been working with Amber Valley Borough Council.
Andrew Bock, of Clowes Westerman, said the consultation with the public had been incredibly positive.
He said: "Most people who have come in to see the plans have said that, as long as the relief road is built, they will be behind the scheme.
"Most people seem to like the idea of having a Morrisons too, which would bring 300 jobs to the area."
But Becky Deans, of the Amber Valley Support Our Struggle group, said: "We do not need another supermarket and frankly I'm not sure we need the homes.
"I'm appalled at this and similar plans in Alfreton, Codnor, Denby and Heanor."
Andy Bonsall, first-team captain for Butterley United Cricket Club, found out that their cricket ground would be replaced with a football pitch as part of the development.
But he said: "As long as we get new facilities and continue to play cricket we'll be happy. The club will be moving down towards the police headquarters. We've always been in the same place but the ground has been vandalised over the years."
Ken and Val Jackson, from Ripley, said they thought the plans were "very good."
Mrs Jackson said: "We like the idea of a Morrisons. There will be improved leisure facilities, nice places to walk and new houses, there's nothing not to like about it."
Mr Jackson said: "This bit of Ripley has got to step up and take it. That might sound quite fatalist but if you live in a town you have to expect things to be built there."
Comments
by pentrich1817
Friday, December 07 2012, 8:14PM
“AND......................then Mr Bock woke up and heard the truth, we do NOT need another supermarket
AVBC have spent over £50,000 in fees to retail surveyors and town planners BOTH of which say we do not need this supermarket
The road is a hoax, as it will NOT reduce the traffic, how can building 4,000 houses in a 3.5 mile radius of Ripley POSSIBLY REDUCE the traffic?
The ONLY good thing about this plan it the new recreational facilities, which would be very nicely complimented by a Village Green instead of another unwanted, un-needed superstore”