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

We would like to mirror the comments we made in response to your previous Local Plan Consultation in respect of housing and employment allocations in proximity to the operational railway. Such development should include measures to ensure that it does not impact on operational railway safety. This will include (but not necessarily be limited to) considerations such as boundary treatments, drainage, lighting, landscaping and construction methodology. In addition, impact on passenger numbers and type at Dronfield railway station should be considered in assessing development and improvements to station facilities sought from third party developers where there is a demonstrated impact on passenger numbers to ensure that facilities are improved to accommodate the uplift in numbers.

We note that this allocation has an existing permission and is adjacent to the operational railway boundary. We would again reiterate the importance of the developer working with Network Rail Asset Protection to ensure that there is no impact on operational railway safety from the design and implementation of this scheme as it moves forward.

We note that the proposed allocation is in close proximity to the Clay Cross railway tunnel. It is imperative that any scheme at this location does not impact on the operational safety of the railway tunnel including any associated tunnel shafts. Considerations will include matters such as loading on the tunnel structure, foundation depth and construction methods and drainage. Should development come forward here, the developer would be required to actively engage with Network Rail to demonstrate that the scheme could be delivered safely, without impact to the fabric of the structure.

This allocation is adjacent to the railway boundary and must be considered accordingly in order that it does not impact on operational railway safety. Considerations will include (but not necessarily be limited to) boundary treatments, drainage, lighting, landscaping and construction methodology. As a statutory consultee, we would expect further consultation in respect of this proposal as it moves forward. In addition, the red line of this allocation appears to incorporate the railway itself and it as noted it is in close proximity to the railway tunnel which will require additional consideration

This allocation is adjacent to the railway boundary and must be considered accordingly in order that it does not impact on operational railway safety. Considerations will include (but not necessarily be limited to) boundary treatments, drainage, lighting, landscaping and construction methodology. As a statutory consultee, we would expect further consultation in respect of this proposal as it moves forward.

We note that the proposed allocation is in close proximity to the Clay Cross railway tunnel. It is imperative that any scheme at this location does not impact on the operational safety of the railway tunnel including any associated tunnel shafts. Considerations will include matters such as loading on the tunnel structure, foundation depth and construction methods and drainage. Should development come forward here, the developer would be required to actively engage with Network Rail to demonstrate that the scheme could be delivered safely, without impact to the fabric of the structure.

This allocation is in proximity to Dronfield railway station and as such the impact of the proposals upon passenger numbers and type at the station should be considered as the development moves forward. Should it be demonstrated that there would be an increase in passenger numbers, contributions to improvements in station facilities and connectivity should be sought from the developer which could include, for example, improvements to passenger information and waiting facilities, car parking and cycle facilities.

This allocation is in proximity to Dronfield railway station and as such the impact of the proposals upon passenger numbers and type at the station should be considered as the development moves forward. Should it be demonstrated that there would be an increase in passenger numbers, contributions to improvements in station facilities and connectivity should be sought from the developer which could include, for example, improvements to passenger information and waiting facilities, car parking and cycle facilities. Additionally, this allocation is adjacent to the railway boundary and must be considered accordingly in order that it does not impact on operational railway safety. Considerations will include (but not necessarily be limited to) boundary treatments, drainage, lighting, landscaping and construction methodology. As a statutory consultee, we would expect further consultation in respect of this proposal as it moves forward.

This allocation is in proximity to Dronfield railway station and as such the impact of the proposals upon passenger numbers and type at the station should be considered as the development moves forward. Should it be demonstrated that there would be an increase in passenger numbers, contributions to improvements in station facilities and connectivity should be sought from the developer which could include, for example, improvements to passenger information and waiting facilities, car parking and cycle facilities.

We note that this allocation has an existing permission and is adjacent to the operational railway boundary. We would again reiterate the importance of the developer working with Network Rail Asset Protection to ensure that there is no impact on operational railway safety from the design and implementation of this scheme as it moves forward.