Waingroves development
An area of land between Waingroves and Codnor is the proposed site of a development of nearly 100 new homes.
Perhaps to developers this land looks like wasteland but it contains valuable hedgerows, marshy wetland and footpaths that are well used.
Local people are opposed to building, not only on the grounds that they will lose valued open space, but as anyone who has driven through
Waingroves from Steam Mill Lane to the Heanor road will already know, the roads are congested enough as it is.
With cars parked on one side of the road, there's not enough room for two cars to pass and the bends in the road make it impossible
to see whether anything is coming from the opposite direction until you've already pulled out. When parents are dropping off
or collecting children at the primary school, it's even worse.
Borough councillor Chris Emmas Williams is supporting those local residents who are opposing the plan, and
Ripley Town Council voted to oppose the bid.
A further objection has been raised by the Environment Agency, on the grounds of insufficient flood
protection and drainage and possible contamination where farm buildings have been demolished.
Decision
The planing committee met on Monday 17th October 2011 and voted unanimously against the plan.
Councillor Bob Moon is spot on with his view that the borough council should concentrate on re-developing brownfield
sites instead of approving plans for developments on green land. Let's hope that view is also taken on board when the
Ripley Gateway plans are reviewed.
|
