A Government-appointed Planning Inspector has dismissed the appeal lodged by developers behind the proposed “Burns Rise” housing development in Dronfield — a plan that would have seen 132 homes built on land off Chesterfield Road and Burns Drive.
The scheme was originally refused by North East Derbyshire District Council in September 2024, following significant concerns from residents, planning officers, and local councillors. The grounds for refusal included poor design quality, a failure to provide appropriate compensatory improvements to the Green Belt, and negative impacts on residential amenity.
The developer appealed the decision earlier this year, but in a strongly worded decision issued this week, the Planning Inspector has backed the Council and community. The Inspector concluded that the proposed layout and street pattern represented poor design, that the development would lead to significant overlooking and amenity loss, and that the affordable housing was inadequately provided and poorly integrated into the wider scheme.
Cllr Alex Dale, Conservative County Councillor for Dronfield & Unstone and District Councillor for the neighbouring Unstone Ward, welcomed the news:
“This is a huge result for local residents and a really important example of what can be achieved when communities stand together. We’ve been clear from the start that this proposal was not right for Dronfield, the design was out of keeping with the area, the impact on neighbours was unacceptable, and there was little thought given to how affordable housing would be delivered properly.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the many residents who made their voices heard during every stage of the process and to the Council’s planning and legal teams for defending the decision so effectively at the hearing,.”
Cllr William Jones, Conservative District Councillor for Dronfield South played a leading role in helping coordinate residents’ objections and prepare evidence:
“This was a team effort from start to finish. A group of residents worked incredibly hard over many weeks to make sure the Inspector had all the information she needed to see the problems with this scheme. I was proud to support them in that process and to speak alongside them and councillor colleagues at the hearing.
“It’s absolutely right that we expect the highest standards from developers — this appeal being dismissed sends a clear message that poor quality schemes won’t be tolerated.”
Cllrs Angelique Foster and Marie Ireland, who represent Dronfield South Ward on the Town Council for the Conservatives, added their thanks to residents and reiterated their commitment to continuing to oppose inappropriate development in the town.
While this is a significant and very welcome result, councillors warn that the fight is not yet over. The Burns Rise site is currently allocated for housing in the Council’s adopted Local Plan, and the developer has submitted proposals for an even larger expansion of the site in the new draft Local Plan that is currently being formulated.
“We have a long history of standing against inappropriate development and we’ll continue to stand with residents to oppose housing that fails to respect the landscape and community,” Cllr Foster added.
Cllr Ireland said: “We hope this clear and justified decision makes the developer think again and, if they do come back, that it’s with a scheme far more sensitive to Dronfield’s needs and character.”
ENDS
For any further information, please contact Alex Dale on [email protected] or 07515 261786.
Notes:
The Inspector’s appeal decision notice is attached.
