A Derby planning consultancy has successfully achieved
permission for housing developments in two villages, despite local
opposition.
The Planning and Design Practice, based in Vernon Gate, which
specialises in housing and rural development matters, won the
go-ahead for schemes in Etwall and Tansley.
The scheme in Etwall involved the car park of The Spread Eagle
pub in the centre of the village, which has played an important
part of the area's social life for more than 200 years.
Situated in the village conservation area, the pub was once
surrounded by other buildings which have been demolished, leaving
it sitting in sea of tarmacadam.
Working on behalf of new owners Judy Taverns, Jonathan Jenkin,
the managing director of The Planning and Design Practice, came up
with a scheme to build two pairs of semi-detached homes on the rear
of the car park off Portland Street, with their own parking.
The scheme, which was approved by South Derbyshire District
Council planning committee, also involved re-locating the beer
garden to the front of the pub so that it can also be used as a
meeting area.
There were 10 objections, mainly at the loss of car parking, but
six of the remaining 14 parking spaces which front Willington Road
will also be available for people using nearby shops. New walling
and paving will define the edge of the car park and the road.
"This will make a big difference to the centre of the village,
improving its appearance," said Jonathan. "As well as providing new
housing, it will prevent haphazard parking which is a potential
danger to children from John Port School and other pedestrians
"It also increases the value of the site and allows for further
improvements to the pub."
In the other scheme, the company represented Peak District Rural
Housing Association with plans to build eight low cost homes for
rent to local people on a greenfield site at West Yard at the end
of Thatcher's Croft. The site is just outside the village boundary,
but surrounded by housing.
The Planning and Design Practice obtained planning permission
from Derbyshire Dales District Council planning committee.
There was strong opposition to the proposed scheme, which was
prompted initially by a survey that identified a need for new homes
to retain young people in the village, but objectors failed to
identify an alternative site.