5 single-storey homes at Land Off Brown Edge Close, Buxton

The site and its setting

The site is agricultural land outside Buxton’s built-up area, sloping towards the railway, golf club and A6 road.

“The application relates to a rectangular parcel of agricultural land situated east of Brown Edge Road and north of Brown Edge Close, Buxton.”

“The topography of the site is such that it slopes away from the rear boundaries of properties on Brown Edge Road to the valley floor, which is defined by the Buxton-Manchester railway line, with the Buxton and High Peak Golf Club and A6 road situated beyond.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and appeal

Earlier proposals for housing were withdrawn or refused, and the 2015 refusal was followed by a dismissed appeal in 2017.

“The site has been subject to a relatively recent planning application which sought to secure Outline planning permission for residential development, with all matters other than Access being reserved under HPK/2015/0471. A screenshot of the indicative Site Plan relating to this application is shown below…”

“The decision was subsequently challenged at appeal. The Appeal was dismissed on 26 th July 2017 under APP/H1033/W/16/3155484.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing and economic benefits outweighed the identified landscape harm, subject to a legal agreement and conditions.

“The application will deliver 5no dwellinghouses that will make a small but nevertheless positive contribution towards the Council’s inflated housing target. The application would also see indirect economic benefits generated during the construction phase of the development, aligning with the economic objective of sustainable development.”

“Subject to the signing of a S106 Agreement, and appropriate conditions, officers are satisfied that the application is compliant with the Local Development Plan, Supplementary Planning Guidance, and the National Planning Policy Framework, in all other aspects.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The committee heard from a representative of the residents group opposing the application and the applicant’s agent.

What members debated

Members questioned the site’s suitability, access-road stability, traffic, parking, access and internal layout, including advice on securing a structural report.

“The Committee had undertaken a site visit on 23 February 2026”

“During the debate, queries were raised regarding the suitability of the site for development, the stability of the access road, traffic and parking matters, access and the internal layout of the site. A representative from DCC Highways was in attendance and responded to queries within the remit of the highways authority.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The application was approved as set out in the report, with delegated authority for non-substantive wording changes before the decision was issued.

“That the application be approved as set out in the report; and…”

“That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes