Five dwellings at Lodge Rise, Clifton Road, Clifton

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for five residential dwellings.

“The permission in principle consent route is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development which separates the consideration of matters of principle from the technical details of the development. The permission in principle consent route is a two-stage process, (i) permission in principle and (ii) technical details consent.”

“When considering an application for permission in principle, the scope of consideration is limited to location, land use and amount of development. Issues relevant to these ‘in principle’ matters should be considered at the permission in principle stage. Other matters should be considered at the technical details consent stage.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is grassland east of Lodge Rise, beside Clifton Road, within the countryside and approximately 80 metres from Ashbourne’s settlement boundary.

“The site comprises a rectangular parcel of land to the east of the residential property Lodge Rise, a detached dwelling on the southern side of Clifton Road. The site consists of grassland that has been maintained in connection with the use of Lodge Rise. It is bound by mature trees, hedgerows and vegetation.”

“The site lies approximately 80m south of the defined settlement boundary of Ashbourne, meaning it is within the countryside.”

Officer report

The officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission in principle because housing benefits outweighed the limited countryside impact, while access and other details could be addressed later.

“- The site is located within the countryside, meaning the proposal for five market dwellings fails to comply with Policy S4 of the Local Plan. - The site is considered to nevertheless be in a sustainable location given its close proximity to the market town of Ashbourne. - The Highway Authority has recommended that a pedestrian crossing from the site access be provided to facilitate access into Ashbourne, which can be secured at the technical details consent stage.”

“Based on the above, it is recommended to grant permission in principle.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected over countryside encroachment and highway safety, while other consultees raised no objection subject to later details.

“Consultee Name Position Date Comments Clifton Parish Council Objection 03.02.2026 Unjustified encroachment into the countryside. Concerns on highway safety grounds due to limited visibility onto A515. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust No objection 19.02.2026 Requested ecological and biodiversity assessments at the Technical Details Consent stage.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, including photographs and details of the site and surroundings.

The decision

Permission in principle was granted subject to informatives, with delegated authority to amend those informatives.

“To grant permission in principle subject to informatives set out in the officer report with delegated authority to the Director of Place and Economy to approve amendments to those informatives deemed necessary.”

Minutes