42 affordable homes at Land Off Yeld Close Bakewell

What was proposed

The application sought 42 affordable homes for eligible local need, with associated infrastructure, parking, gardens, paths, drainage and biodiversity measures.

“The proposed dwellings would all be affordable and to meet eligible local need. The applicant is the developer who would deliver the scheme in partnership with Nottingham Community Housing Association, a Registered Provider.”

“The proposed dwellings would all be affordable and to meet eligible local need. The applicant is the developer who would deliver the scheme in partnership with Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) a Registered Provider (RP). The applicant…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site comprised just over one hectare of agricultural fields on Bakewell’s southern edge, beside housing, a school and Stoney Closes Farm.

“The application site comprises just over 1Ha of agricultural fields located on the southern edge of Bakewell bounded by drystone walls and accessed from Stoney Close.”

“To the north of the site are residential dwellings on Yeld Close with further residential development to the west. To the East is Bakewell Methodist Junior School. The farmstead associated with Stoney Closes Farm including farmhouse and range of farm buildings is located adjacent to the South East of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and advice

Earlier applications for converting the farm buildings were withdrawn or refused, while pre-application advice welcomed affordable housing in principle subject to detailed issues.

“2025: NP/DDD/1024/1112: Planning application for renovation of existing farmhouse and conversion of derelict farm buildings to provide a total of 6 domestic properties. Withdrawn prior to determination.”

“Officers gave pre-application advice to the applicant that development of affordable housing on this site to meet identified need in Bakewell would be welcomed in principle. The main issues identified were design and layout, impact on the adjacent historic farmstead, impact upon neighbouring properties and detailed design matters.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme met identified affordable housing need and could be accommodated without unacceptable landscape, biodiversity, amenity, highway or drainage harm.

“The application has demonstrated that a development of this scale and location can be accommodated without harm to the scenic beauty of the landscape and would enhance biodiversity on site. Harm to archaeology on site and the setting of the adjacent farmstead has been identified (both considered to be non-designated heritage assets of local significance).”

“On the other hand, the development would make a very significant contribution to the established need for affordable housing within Bakewell on a site which would otherwise be located in a sustainable location and could be accommodated without harm to the landscape or biodiversity. Furthermore, there is no evidence of any other sites coming forward which could deliver this quantum of affordable housing without the harm identified.”

Officer report

What objectors said

Thirty-three objections raised concerns about infrastructure, local need, traffic, landscape, heritage, biodiversity, construction, neighbour amenity, drainage and the number of homes.

“Insufficient infrastructure within Bakewell to support proposed development. • Lack of need for the proposed development. • The proposed development would not meet local need for affordable housing. • Development of housing should take place outside of the National Park. • Development of housing within the National Park should take place on brownfield sites. • There are more appropriate sites within Bakewell for housing development.”

“The development will harm the landscape. • The development will harm the setting of Stoney Closes Farm. • The development will harm trees on and adjacent to the site. • The development will harm protected species and biodiversity. • The development will harm archaeology on the site. • The field currently captures carbon. • This land could be used for a development for Bakewell Town Football Club. • The development will result in noise during construction.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and a representative of Nottingham Community Housing Association spoke under the public participation scheme, and the housing mix was linked to the local needs survey.

What members discussed

Members discussed recreation space, pond safety, bin storage, footpath security, biodiversity access and the proposed amendment to the Mortgage in Possession Clause.

“Members asked if there was any public open space for a recreation/play area included in the development and requested the pond be fenced and life- preservers provided. • Bin storage access was discussed and whether the storage proposed was sufficient. • Derbyshire Constabulary had expressed a concern regarding one of the footpath links/connections which was discussed. • The area around the attenuation pond is devoted to the BNG for this project.”

“Members were keen to ensure that occupants of the development had access to the wildlife area without undermining the biodiversity enhancement. Members asked Officers to discuss this with the applicant to secure this.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to approve the application with amended conditions was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

“Members requested that amended plans be sought to remove one of the footpaths and an additional planning condition be added regarding the provision of life-preservers around the pond area.”

“A motion to approve the application with amended conditions as discussed above was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to a legal agreement securing affordable housing and biodiversity monitoring fees, and planning conditions including amended requirements.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to prior entry into a S.106 planning obligation to secure the affordable housing and monitoring fees for BNG and subject to the following conditions:”

“In accordance with specified approved amended plans…”

Minutes