NEDDC Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation on the Strategic Approach to the Location of Development and Refined Sites (March 2026)

45129 - object - development of this open Greenfield site will visually close the gap between the county/district boundary with Sheffield and the Bowshaw roundabout along the A61 route. There is already ribbon development south of the roundabout into Dronfield, and unfortunate urban sprawl on the green space 'Bowshaw Showground' land with the recent development of the so-called 'allotments' community and buildings on Green Belt land. The A61 is the primary north-south route through the district. Losing this green space will complete the visual urban sprawl of Sheffield into North East Derbyshire.

45227&45541: Given the need to identify a vey large number of new homes sites within the existing topography and boundaries of the District, a single strategic site is a good approach. There is more chance of ensuring appropriate investment in supporting facilities and infrastructure so that a healthy community can develop. This site gives a good potential for such strategic development including with links to Arkwright Town and Long Duckmanton giving wider benefit potential. Good design and engineering approaches will be needed to handle moor areas and remaining remediation from coal extraction.

Given the need for a large number of new homes in the district and the prevailing character and topography of Clay Cross, it makes sense to continue to develop and enhance the town using these sites with concurrent improvements in facilities and infrastructure for the whole town. A strategic intent to develop and improve Clay Cross will bring beneficial inward investment and focus

45054 - object - The recent failed application covering the northern part of this land demonstrated the significant problems of development on the steep slope adjacent to the Chesterfield Road. Development along the road closes the Greenfield gap between Dronfield and Unstone. There is a very steep gradient down to the main road which creates significant engineering challenges for access roads and control of runoff. The Southfield development on the northern boundary demonstrated the need to cut significantly into the slope to manage these aspects. The proposed access onto Chesterfield Road creates traffic volume issues with a single junction the main access route into Dronfield. Odour issues exist from the adjacent WwTW. The steep slope leads to challenges handling runoff within the site and development of a proper SUDS. The ecological impact of loss of a large area of fallow grassland is significant.

However there is potential for development of the southern part of the site which avoids the major issues. This is furthest away from the WwTW, does not impact the green corridor along Chesterfield Road, maintains the separation gaps between the medieval town of Dronfield and village of Unstone. The southern part has two existing road access points to join into the existing urban estates and services, and does not have the steep gradients that caused engineering challenges for the recent (failed) Burns Rise application.

Further submission received via email:
This site proposal includes a substantial portion of land which was included within the previous local plan; land to the North/West of the site.
Whilst this was previously accepted, this land has been subject of a large planning application named “Burns Rise.” The developers presented a plan for fewer homes than were suggested during the consultation and included a proposal to site mandatory drainage infrastructure on the remaining greenbelt land to the southeast. The developers were unsuccessful in their application and subsequent appeal, due to an inability to protect the amenity of surrounding residents. The Design was additionally criticised for over-population and lack of communal areas. That they were unsuccessful despite reducing the number of homes significantly clearly demonstrates the lack of feasibility in developing this specific part of the site.
For the uninformed, this site resides on a very steep hillside, the steepest part of which is on the northern part of the site, backing onto Southfield Mount and Burns Drive. This slope reduces significantly as you travel south towards Unstone Farm. Any development would form a new “gateway” to Dronfield. As such, it is critical that any development considers the context, the landmark setting of the site, and the historical nature of the Dronfield settlement. This would suggest a subtle, unintrusive development of smaller homes or bungalows mixed with large open spaces; neither of which support the financial feasibility of potential developments.
Within the last local plan, the importance of the greenbelt that remained (Now included within this proposal) was highlighted; any development would need to enhance or improve the remaining greenbelt and must consider the local context. Furthermore, this plan highlighted the need to incorporate local greenspace, enhance the character of Dronfield (as it would become the new “gateway”) and contribute heavily towards infrastructure improvements, particularly on Chesterfield Road.
SRG strongly object to the expansion of the previous DR1 site as the addition of the land to the south totally undermines the limited protection against urban sprawl that would have remained with the remaining greenbelt. This thin area is currently the only land which prevents urban sprawl/joining of Dronfield and Unstone (including Unstone hall), both of which are historic settlements, and would significantly impact the local community identity, with famous landmarks and views from the Hallowes area across to Apperknowle and Hundall.
SRG would however like to offer what we feel is an improved plan concerning this site.
During the previously unsuccessful application and subsequent appeal, it was widely agreed that, due to the steep slope and the effect of building without significant excavation, cut and fill, residents on Burns Drive and Southfield mount would be significantly affected. As such, proposals for a green buffer between the proposed development and homes on both developments were tabled and few counter-arguments were made. A green buffer is therefore considered compulsory for any potential development.
SRG would therefore propose to reinstate the greenbelt protection to the most northerly field and areas abutting burns drive. Development of the upper field and flatter southern fields offer significantly improved feasibility and could be interconnected via existing land on burns drive. A secondary road access (With subsequent road-safety benefits) could be made onto chesterfield road. This solution would also enable full satisfaction of the cordon sanitaire surrounding the wastewater treatment plant, which statutory consultees highlighted during the previous planning application. Odour issues at this site are prevalent and new developments should consider the long-term health effects of being positioned so close to this industrial facility.
In Summary, SRG object to the proposal and offer a counter proposal whereby the new land identified for development is used within the future local plan with greenbelt protection afforded to the land to the North to establish the required green buffer and segregation between neighbouring settlements.

Greenbelt protection already removed from North/east part of site in previous local plan.
Development of this site has proven impractical due to context and steep gradient, amenity. Decision was taken to appeal and council's decision was upheld. Addition of more land totally undermines intention of greenbelt as merges dronfield and Unstone. Would encompass a historic bridleway. Would require removal of protected flora and fauna. Only practical solution would be to allow Southern part of site to be developed, but to impose a green buffer on the difficult to develop land to the North/East and reinstate greenbelt.

Site is well connected and of a suitable scale and size for development. Care should be taken to avoid nuisance odours from adjacent slurry pit. No direct impact on greenbelt priorities - does not cause coalescence, does not impact enjoyment of countryside and does not impact historic characted (dronfield woodhouse is a new settlement). Prime location for development.

Previous housing assessments for site in 2014 LP shown to be exaggerated; also the case for the extension to the land proposed.
Application declined (including appeal) demonstrating difficulty to develop in appropriate manner.
WWTW cordon sanitaire impinges on additional land. This is widely known for odour health issues.
Planning officer previously highlighted the importance of remaining greenbelt land (now in contention under consultation) in 2014 LP to prevent joining of historic dronfield and unstone settlements. Unstone manor is of historic significance and would be affected. Remaining greenbelt performs STRONGLY against all purposes given existing reallocation of greenbelt in 2014 LP.

Given site 45054 and its proximity to local settlement, it is clear that this does not represent a significant risk of urban sprawl. There remains plenty of buffer between dronfield woodhouse (a historical settlement which was created as sprawl from Dronfield and Coal Aston settlements) and sheffield. Land is easy to access and close to amenities.

This site is a good candidate for development. It offers little to the overall character of the town which is largely modern (<50years old) and characterless.
The site would make good use of the well equipped sindlefingen area and with contributions to the amenities on barnes avenue and pentland road would make an excellent addition (Assuming appropriate contributions are made). The site has a good topography for development

This is an already populated area bounded by large A roads. It does not appear to impact upon other settlements or residents, with access to bus services both into and out of Sheffield. It would be a good location for affordable housing, and a mix of houses and apartments, which would mirror the local vernacular.

It is a small site for a small number of properties that could be designed to compliment the current housing in this area.