NEDDC Local Plan Consultation
NEDDC - Local Plan Consultation is underway
NEDDC are preparing a new Local Plan to replace the current plan that was adopted in November 2021. The current Local Plan (2014 - 2034) will continue to be the development plan for the area and will be used in the determination of planning applications until a new Local Plan is adopted by the Council.
Consultation on the “Strategic Approach to the Location of Development and a Refined Schedule of Sites”
The District Council is consulting on this latest material as part of the Issues & Options stage of preparing the Local Plan under Regulation 18 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
The Consultation will run for 7 weeks between Thursday 12 March 2026 and Thursday 30 April 2026.
Please click here to view the online Consultation Document
NEDDC have prepared some guidance to help you make comments online which can be viewed on our website.
This is supported by the following Evidence Base documents which can be viewed by clicking here (opens in a new window)
- Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
- Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)
- Updated Settlement Role & Function Study
- Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper
- Land Availability Assessment
- Consultation Statement
NEDDC are also holding a series of in-person drop-in sessions across the district, where you can come along and view the consultation material in person and talk to council officers.
The dates, times and venues of these sessions are set out below:
- Eckington Business Centre, Gosber St, Eckington, Sheffield S21 4DA. Saturday 21st March 10:00am-1:00pm
- North East Derbyshire District Council, 2013 Mill Lane, Chesterfield S42 6NG Meeting Room 1. Monday 23rd March 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Stonebroom Community Centre, Quarry Lane, Stonebroom, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 6LJ. Tuesday 24th March 4:00pm-7:00pm
- St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Rd, Danesmoor, Clay Cross, Chesterfield S45 9BU. Wednesday 25th March 3:00pm- 6:00pm
- North Wingfield Community Resource Centre, 67 Whiteleas Ave, North Wingfield, Chesterfield S42 5PW, Thursday 26th March 4:00pm-7:00pm
- Dronfield Peel Centre, (Edward Lucas Hall) High St, Dronfield S18 1PY. Saturday 28th March 10:00am-1:00pm
- Eckington Business Centre, Gosber St, Eckington, Sheffield S21 4DA. Monday 13th April 4:00pm-7:00pm
- Killamarsh Parish Suite, Stanley St, Killamarsh, Sheffield S21 1EL. Tuesday 14th April 4:00pm-7:00pm
- North East Derbyshire District Council, 2013 Mill Lane, Chesterfield S42 6NG Meeting Room 1. Wednesday 15th April 4:00pm-7:00pm
- Dronfield Civic Hall, Civic Centre, Dronfield S18 1PD. Thursday 16th April 4:00pm-7:00pm
- St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Rd, Danesmoor, Clay Cross, Chesterfield S45 9BU. Saturday 18th April 10:00am-1:00pm
This is your opportunity to have your say. Please provide comments through our online system wherever possible. If you are unable to make your comments in this way please contact the Council on 01246 231111 to request a form to be emailed or posted out to you.
However you choose to make your comments, please ensure they are submitted to us by Thursday 30 April 2026.
Please Note: NEDDC will publish all comments received along with our responses through the on-line consultation system and Consultation Statements where appropriate. Copies of all comments received will be made available for the public to view and cannot be treated as confidential. Personal data will however be processed and held in accordance with the General Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 and Data Protection Act 2018. The Council assumes that by making comments to planning policy documents, you opt-in to receiving further updates from the Council about future planning policy documents. If you no longer wish to receive updates, you can opt-out of receiving these by contacting the Council’s Planning Policy and Environment Team. The Council will keep Local Plan comments and personal data on record in line with the retention schedule. Please view the Council’s Planning Privacy Statement for further information.
Previous Consultation
We commenced public engagement in 2025, undertaking some early work in the community (drop in events and an online survey) in May 2025, followed by a more structured & formal public consultation on Issues and Options for the Local Plan between 19th June 2025 and 14th August 2025. A series of Focus Groups were also held during November 2025 to consider some of the issues raised during consultation in more depth. You can view the online 2025 Issues and Options Document here , but it is no longer possible to make comments.
The Consultation Statement provides an overview of the previous stages of consultation, including the methods used and feedback received to date.
Focus Groups
NEDDC will be running focus groups as necessary throughout the preparation stages of the Local Plan to seek views on specific planning policy matters. If you would like to sign up for a focus group, please contact the Local Plan Team on 01246 231111 or email [email protected]
12 March 2026 to 30 April 2026 - Consultation will run
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Parish Council update - 30 March 2026
📢 Local Plan Update – Have Your Say!
North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) is currently progressing its Local Plan, and this will shape future development in our area.
Your Parish Council would like to keep residents informed of the latest steps being taken:
✅ The Council has agreed to appoint a consultant to support and strengthen its comments on the Local Plan.
📄 A letter will soon be distributed to all residents, which will include a copy of the NEDDC representation form to encourage as many responses as possible.
🗣️ We strongly encourage all residents to attend one of the NEDDC consultation events.
These sessions are a valuable opportunity to ask questions directly to the District Council, who are responsible for Local planning.
Your views matter—this is your chance to help shape the future of our community.
📅 Eckington Business Centre, Market Street, S21 4JH - Monday 13 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
Killamarsh Parish Suite, Stanley St, Killamarsh, S21 1EL - Tuesday 14 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
NEDDC Offices, 2013 Mill Lane, Chesterfield, S42 6NG (Room 1) - Thursday 16 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, S45 9BU - Saturday 18 April 2026 - 10am to 1pm
North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) is currently progressing its Local Plan, and this will shape future development in our area.
Your Parish Council would like to keep residents informed of the latest steps being taken:
✅ The Council has agreed to appoint a consultant to support and strengthen its comments on the Local Plan.
📄 A letter will soon be distributed to all residents, which will include a copy of the NEDDC representation form to encourage as many responses as possible.
🗣️ We strongly encourage all residents to attend one of the NEDDC consultation events.
These sessions are a valuable opportunity to ask questions directly to the District Council, who are responsible for Local planning.
Your views matter—this is your chance to help shape the future of our community.
📅 Eckington Business Centre, Market Street, S21 4JH - Monday 13 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
Killamarsh Parish Suite, Stanley St, Killamarsh, S21 1EL - Tuesday 14 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
NEDDC Offices, 2013 Mill Lane, Chesterfield, S42 6NG (Room 1) - Thursday 16 April 2026 - 4pm to 7pm
St Barnabas Centre, Pilsley Road, Danesmoor, S45 9BU - Saturday 18 April 2026 - 10am to 1pm
Letter to residents
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Parish Council update - 12 April 2026
Dear Residents,
Despite making every possible attempt to reach all in the parish with our letter and information about the Local Plan, some may have unwittingly slipped through the net.
Should you be one of these people, please contact 07880 725058 and we will arrange to get a copy to you as soon as possible.
Cllr Irene Hall
Chair of Barlow Parish Council
Despite making every possible attempt to reach all in the parish with our letter and information about the Local Plan, some may have unwittingly slipped through the net.
Should you be one of these people, please contact 07880 725058 and we will arrange to get a copy to you as soon as possible.
Cllr Irene Hall
Chair of Barlow Parish Council
Parish Council update - 20 April 2026
Parish Council Submission to NEDDC regarding the Local Plan Consultation:
We are writing to make you aware of the strong objections that this Parish Council and Barlow residents have, regarding the Local Plan draft proposals.
The two sites of enormous concern are 45265 (Land to the east of Valley Road) for a possible 50 dwellings and 45266 (Land to the north of Millcross Lane), for 60 dwellings.
These locations would see significant housing development on sensitive greenfield sites, that are unsuitable for development, unsustainable and in predominantly rural locations.
The proposals are grossly disproportionate and out of scale with the local area. They are also not in accordance with National and Local Planning Policies, including North East Derbyshire District Council’s Hierarchy Strategy.
In addition, they would cause significant harm to the landscape, infrastructure, heritage, wildlife and well-being of the communities in the parish. We believe that both sites perform a very important Green Belt function.
In detail:
1.The proposed developments are wholly out of scale and disproportionate with the existing settlements
The 110 proposed new homes would see the size of Barlow Parish increase by about a third. This is totally unacceptable, especially as it is grossly disproportionate to and out of scale with the local area and would overwhelm local services and infrastructure.
We understand that Barlow Parish has the highest percentage increase in size out of all 47 settlements in the district!! This includes settlements, which NEDDC recognise would provide more sustainable locations for development than Barlow Parish.
2.They do not represent sustainable development in accordance with the national and local planning policies.
One of the main objectives of national and local planning policy is to focus development of the most sustainable locations.
As paragraph 6 of the National Planning Policy Framework states, “The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”.
The proposed allocation sites cannot be considered as supporting sustainable development, nor are they in accordance with associated local and national planning policies.
Central to the emerging North East Derbyshire Local Plan is the proposed settlement hierarchy.
It is at the heart of the consultation document, partiv the proposed approach to the location of development. As the main consultation document states, “The proposed approach to the settlement hierarchy and priority locations for the distribution of development is based upon the evidence set out in the Settlement Role and Function Study and applies the findings of the Issues & Options”.
It then goes on to state, “The Settlement Role and Function Study provides evidence on the relative sustainability of settlements within the district, based on an assessment of levels of population, availability and diversity of services and facilities, employment provision and the availability and frequency of Public Transport.” and “The proposed approach to the settlement hierarchy and priority locations for the distribution of development is based upon the evidence set out in the Settlement Role and Function Study and applies the findings of the Issues & Options.”
The overall strategic approach is to concentrate development in the most sustainable locations. An approach this Parish Council fully supports.
As a result, following an assessment detailed in NEDDC’s Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper (March 2026), the towns and villages within the district, have been classified into a settlement hierarchy.
This hierarchy has four tiers. In general terms, the higher the settlement ranks in the hierarchy the more suitable and sustainable it is for development. As Paragraph 1.2 of the Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper (March 2026) states “The settlement hierarchy is an important part of the current adopted Local Plan. It identifies and groups together settlements that have similar levels of sustainability and perform similar roles and guides the amount and types of developments that are appropriate in each location.”
For the purpose of the Settlement Hierarchy the two main settlements in Barlow Parish – Barlow Village and Barlow Commonside – have been assessed separately Both belong to one of 13 Level 4 Settlements – Very Small Villages/Hamlets. This is the lowest (fourth) tier in the hierarchy after Priority 1 (Edge of Chesterfield /Sheffield, New Settlement/Strategic Sites and Level 1 Settlement - Main Towns); Priority 2 – Larger Villages and Priority 3 – Smaller Villages.
While the Parish Council is generally supportive of the principle of the settlement hierarchy, we have serious concerns about its application to Barlow Parish.
If its aim is to promote sustainable development through new development, in accordance with the hierarchy, it fails to do so. This is especially the case in respect of Barlow Parish.
The proposed allocations are clearly contradictory to the aims and intents of the hierarchy strategy. At over 100 homes the development cannot be described as small scale, nor is it commensurate (as we have clearly shown) with the services, facilities and infrastructure of Barlow Commonside.
We do not support any allocations in the Level 4 Settlements. In our opinion, these should be restricted to windfall and very small-scale development with well-defined settlement limits. It should clearly show that it reflects local needs. This approach not only demonstrates good practice but is the current policy in the approved North East Derbyshire Local Plan. This is articulated in para 4.35, as below.
“Level 4 Settlements are generally small in scale and lacking in services and facilities. There will be no allocations in these settlements. Development will be restricted to minor infill development to meet local needs, in line with criteria in Policy SS8 or an adopted Neighbourhood Plan”.
Considering the policy position in the existing approved Local Plan, we can see no reason for allocations in Level 4 Settlements and development should be restricted to minor infill. There is compelling evidence to suggest that there are far better and more suitable options available elsewhere.
However, if there is need (which we strongly dispute) to allocate sites in Level 4 settlements it is imperative that development is of a scale commensurate with the services and facilities of the proposed settlement. The proposed allocations in Barlow Commonside are clearly not. While for some settlements an additional 110 homes may seem small for its size, in Barlow’s case, it is massive, disproportionate and, if allowed, would cause significant harm.
It is staggering to note that, of the three sites (totalling over 160 homes) proposed for housing across the 13 defined Level 4 settlements TWO are in Barlow Commonside! In other words, Barlow Commonside is expected accommodate over 66% of the total housing growth of the Level 4 Settlements – despite the fact that it represents less than 10% of the total population of the combined Level 4 settlements!
This is clearly not appropriate, proportionate or sustainable. Indeed, it is grossly unfair!
If its aim is to promote sustainable development through housing developments of a scale commensurate with the services and facilities of the settlement and in accordance with the hierarchy, it is failing to do so in Barlow Parish!
3.The sites are not sustainably located
In planning terms, these two sites are not in sustainable locations. They are greenfield sites in the countryside, on the edge of what NEDDC accepts is an unsustainable settlement.
Barlow Commonside is a small village with very limited facilities and services within and close by. It lacks many of the key services and amenities that you might hope to see in a settlement of its size. For example, it does not have a shop, doctor’s surgery and post office. This means that residents have to travel by car to access all their day-to-day needs.
Moreover, there is some doubt whether the primary school serving the settlement would have the future capacity to accommodate the projected increase in primary pupils arising from the proposals.
The local bus does not allow residents to access key services outside the settlement. It is served by an infrequent bus service which connects the village with the nearby centres of Dronfield and Chesterfield. There are no services in the evening, on a Sunday or on a Bank Holiday. Also, during term time, there are no available buses in the afternoon.
The closest train stations (Chesterfield and Dronfield) are about 5 and 4 miles away respectively, and the network of local cycleways and footpaths are virtually non- existent and lack coherence.
Barlow is not a suitable location for development especially for the type and scale envisaged here. Indeed, this is borne out in the Settlement Role and Function Study (March 2026), which gave it a mark of 1 on the Facilities and Services Score, a figure joint third lowest of the 47 assessed settlements!
It is appreciated that some journeys will be made by foot, bicycle and public transport and the final proposals may include some measures to improve their accessibility and sustainability. Even so, it is evident that users of the proposed developments would be heavily reliant on the car to meet their day to day needs such as shops, jobs etc. This dependency would conflict with local and national planning policies which aim to promote sustainable development by focusing on the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling. In Barlow, however, there would be an enormous increase in car journeys!
4.Adverse impact on highway infrastructure and highway and pedestrian safety
Closely related to the above, we are very concerned about the negative impact that increased traffic movements would generate, as a result of new development.
Parking in much of the settlement is already a nightmare especially when the pubs and café are open. The road infrastructure was not designed for this. The parking problems, plus the amount of traffic, already impact on visitors as well as residents, not to mention the huge number of horse riders (approximately 67 local owners alone!) and cyclists.
The very narrow Smeltinghouse Lane is already a hazard for small children as they walk to Forest School and negotiating parked cars on the main road through the village is a constant problem for residents and farmers.
The proposed developments will only make this unacceptable situation worse, to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety.
While we recognise that in respect to site – 45266, Land to the North of Millcross Lane, Barlow which states, “Highway access may need to be confirmed further”, we would be very concerned, and would not support, if it was proposed that vehicular access should be via Keepers Lane, which is notoriously difficult to access and exit easily and without risk.
5.Harm to Biodiversity
Paragraph 180 of the NPPF requires planning decisions to minimise impacts on biodiversity and provide net gains where possible.
The fact that the sites are of biodiversity value is not disputed. Their relatively open and undeveloped nature and the presence of hedgerows (some historic), many trees and other environmental features provide important and much-valued habitats for a variety of wildlife and wildflowers. They support many species and habitats, some of which are protected. Indeed, their biodiversity value is stressed in that one (45265) is adjacent to a Local Wildlife Site and the other one is close to the aforementioned Local Wildlife Site.
Many of these habitats and features on both sites (including important trees) will be unacceptably adversely affected by the proposal. Far more than the moderate impact incorrectly suggested and weakly justified in the supporting documents prepared by NEDDC.
6.Adverse effects of the proposals on landscape character, appearance of the sites and the visual amenity of the surrounding area.
The proposal would have a significantly harmful effect on the landscape character, distinctiveness and appearance of the area. That the sites are in the countryside is not disputed by any parties.
Both sites are cherished and valued features in the local landscape. This is for a variety of reasons. The wildlife and habitats they support, the opportunities they present for informal and formal recreation, their attractive topography and the views and panoramas they offer. They are also important for the setting of the settlement of Barlow Commonside.
In addition, they contain trees and other significant natural and other assets that contribute to their important open character.
If the sites were developed, this would inevitably change their character. It would have a harmful urbanising effect, thereby resulting in significant and permanent harm to the landscape, and local distinctiveness.
7.Unacceptable impact on Heritage Assets
We are also deeply concerned about the adverse impact that the proposals will have on designated and non -designated heritage assets.
In particular, Crowhole Conservation Area, situated to the west of site 45265. In addition, both sites contribute to its setting and provide important views to and from the Conservation Area. This is a designated heritage asset, reflecting its national importance. It is much loved and cherished.
We consider that the proposals, even taking into account any potential mitigation measures, would cause irreversible and substantial harm to the designated Crowhole Conservation Area and its setting and are, therefore, contrary to national and local planning policies that seek to conserve important and irreplaceable heritage assets.
8.Impact of Flooding and Drainage
The sites lie in an area that is in danger of flooding and the Coal Authority has designated it as a high- risk location due to coal mining activities. There could well be insufficient capacity in the sewerage system too.
These features make them unsuitable for development due to the risks they pose, especially to surface stability, flooding and drainage as well as to public safety and amenity more generally. While it is clear from the various documents submitted that NEDDC is aware of this, we do not consider, however, that sufficient regard has been given to these factors in the site assessment process. We are far from convinced that the developments would be safe. There is every chance that there would be an unacceptable increase in the risk of flooding and, as such, development should not be allowed on the sites.
9.The sites continue to perform an important Green Belt role
While we recognise that this will be the subject of a separate review, we consider the sites to be ‘high performing’ in Green Belt terms. They have and continue to perform an important and cherished Green Belt role. In particular, they check the unrestricted sprawl of built-up areas and safeguard the countryside. They perform a very important Green Belt function. Surely, focus should be on the development of brownfield sites and urban areas.
For these compelling reasons the sites should be discounted as potential housing sites, and removed from the schedule of sites contained in the emerging Local Plan.
The two sites of enormous concern are 45265 (Land to the east of Valley Road) for a possible 50 dwellings and 45266 (Land to the north of Millcross Lane), for 60 dwellings.
These locations would see significant housing development on sensitive greenfield sites, that are unsuitable for development, unsustainable and in predominantly rural locations.
The proposals are grossly disproportionate and out of scale with the local area. They are also not in accordance with National and Local Planning Policies, including North East Derbyshire District Council’s Hierarchy Strategy.
In addition, they would cause significant harm to the landscape, infrastructure, heritage, wildlife and well-being of the communities in the parish. We believe that both sites perform a very important Green Belt function.
In detail:
1.The proposed developments are wholly out of scale and disproportionate with the existing settlements
The 110 proposed new homes would see the size of Barlow Parish increase by about a third. This is totally unacceptable, especially as it is grossly disproportionate to and out of scale with the local area and would overwhelm local services and infrastructure.
We understand that Barlow Parish has the highest percentage increase in size out of all 47 settlements in the district!! This includes settlements, which NEDDC recognise would provide more sustainable locations for development than Barlow Parish.
2.They do not represent sustainable development in accordance with the national and local planning policies.
One of the main objectives of national and local planning policy is to focus development of the most sustainable locations.
As paragraph 6 of the National Planning Policy Framework states, “The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”.
The proposed allocation sites cannot be considered as supporting sustainable development, nor are they in accordance with associated local and national planning policies.
Central to the emerging North East Derbyshire Local Plan is the proposed settlement hierarchy.
It is at the heart of the consultation document, partiv the proposed approach to the location of development. As the main consultation document states, “The proposed approach to the settlement hierarchy and priority locations for the distribution of development is based upon the evidence set out in the Settlement Role and Function Study and applies the findings of the Issues & Options”.
It then goes on to state, “The Settlement Role and Function Study provides evidence on the relative sustainability of settlements within the district, based on an assessment of levels of population, availability and diversity of services and facilities, employment provision and the availability and frequency of Public Transport.” and “The proposed approach to the settlement hierarchy and priority locations for the distribution of development is based upon the evidence set out in the Settlement Role and Function Study and applies the findings of the Issues & Options.”
The overall strategic approach is to concentrate development in the most sustainable locations. An approach this Parish Council fully supports.
As a result, following an assessment detailed in NEDDC’s Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper (March 2026), the towns and villages within the district, have been classified into a settlement hierarchy.
This hierarchy has four tiers. In general terms, the higher the settlement ranks in the hierarchy the more suitable and sustainable it is for development. As Paragraph 1.2 of the Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper (March 2026) states “The settlement hierarchy is an important part of the current adopted Local Plan. It identifies and groups together settlements that have similar levels of sustainability and perform similar roles and guides the amount and types of developments that are appropriate in each location.”
For the purpose of the Settlement Hierarchy the two main settlements in Barlow Parish – Barlow Village and Barlow Commonside – have been assessed separately Both belong to one of 13 Level 4 Settlements – Very Small Villages/Hamlets. This is the lowest (fourth) tier in the hierarchy after Priority 1 (Edge of Chesterfield /Sheffield, New Settlement/Strategic Sites and Level 1 Settlement - Main Towns); Priority 2 – Larger Villages and Priority 3 – Smaller Villages.
While the Parish Council is generally supportive of the principle of the settlement hierarchy, we have serious concerns about its application to Barlow Parish.
If its aim is to promote sustainable development through new development, in accordance with the hierarchy, it fails to do so. This is especially the case in respect of Barlow Parish.
The proposed allocations are clearly contradictory to the aims and intents of the hierarchy strategy. At over 100 homes the development cannot be described as small scale, nor is it commensurate (as we have clearly shown) with the services, facilities and infrastructure of Barlow Commonside.
We do not support any allocations in the Level 4 Settlements. In our opinion, these should be restricted to windfall and very small-scale development with well-defined settlement limits. It should clearly show that it reflects local needs. This approach not only demonstrates good practice but is the current policy in the approved North East Derbyshire Local Plan. This is articulated in para 4.35, as below.
“Level 4 Settlements are generally small in scale and lacking in services and facilities. There will be no allocations in these settlements. Development will be restricted to minor infill development to meet local needs, in line with criteria in Policy SS8 or an adopted Neighbourhood Plan”.
Considering the policy position in the existing approved Local Plan, we can see no reason for allocations in Level 4 Settlements and development should be restricted to minor infill. There is compelling evidence to suggest that there are far better and more suitable options available elsewhere.
However, if there is need (which we strongly dispute) to allocate sites in Level 4 settlements it is imperative that development is of a scale commensurate with the services and facilities of the proposed settlement. The proposed allocations in Barlow Commonside are clearly not. While for some settlements an additional 110 homes may seem small for its size, in Barlow’s case, it is massive, disproportionate and, if allowed, would cause significant harm.
It is staggering to note that, of the three sites (totalling over 160 homes) proposed for housing across the 13 defined Level 4 settlements TWO are in Barlow Commonside! In other words, Barlow Commonside is expected accommodate over 66% of the total housing growth of the Level 4 Settlements – despite the fact that it represents less than 10% of the total population of the combined Level 4 settlements!
This is clearly not appropriate, proportionate or sustainable. Indeed, it is grossly unfair!
If its aim is to promote sustainable development through housing developments of a scale commensurate with the services and facilities of the settlement and in accordance with the hierarchy, it is failing to do so in Barlow Parish!
3.The sites are not sustainably located
In planning terms, these two sites are not in sustainable locations. They are greenfield sites in the countryside, on the edge of what NEDDC accepts is an unsustainable settlement.
Barlow Commonside is a small village with very limited facilities and services within and close by. It lacks many of the key services and amenities that you might hope to see in a settlement of its size. For example, it does not have a shop, doctor’s surgery and post office. This means that residents have to travel by car to access all their day-to-day needs.
Moreover, there is some doubt whether the primary school serving the settlement would have the future capacity to accommodate the projected increase in primary pupils arising from the proposals.
The local bus does not allow residents to access key services outside the settlement. It is served by an infrequent bus service which connects the village with the nearby centres of Dronfield and Chesterfield. There are no services in the evening, on a Sunday or on a Bank Holiday. Also, during term time, there are no available buses in the afternoon.
The closest train stations (Chesterfield and Dronfield) are about 5 and 4 miles away respectively, and the network of local cycleways and footpaths are virtually non- existent and lack coherence.
Barlow is not a suitable location for development especially for the type and scale envisaged here. Indeed, this is borne out in the Settlement Role and Function Study (March 2026), which gave it a mark of 1 on the Facilities and Services Score, a figure joint third lowest of the 47 assessed settlements!
It is appreciated that some journeys will be made by foot, bicycle and public transport and the final proposals may include some measures to improve their accessibility and sustainability. Even so, it is evident that users of the proposed developments would be heavily reliant on the car to meet their day to day needs such as shops, jobs etc. This dependency would conflict with local and national planning policies which aim to promote sustainable development by focusing on the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling. In Barlow, however, there would be an enormous increase in car journeys!
4.Adverse impact on highway infrastructure and highway and pedestrian safety
Closely related to the above, we are very concerned about the negative impact that increased traffic movements would generate, as a result of new development.
Parking in much of the settlement is already a nightmare especially when the pubs and café are open. The road infrastructure was not designed for this. The parking problems, plus the amount of traffic, already impact on visitors as well as residents, not to mention the huge number of horse riders (approximately 67 local owners alone!) and cyclists.
The very narrow Smeltinghouse Lane is already a hazard for small children as they walk to Forest School and negotiating parked cars on the main road through the village is a constant problem for residents and farmers.
The proposed developments will only make this unacceptable situation worse, to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety.
While we recognise that in respect to site – 45266, Land to the North of Millcross Lane, Barlow which states, “Highway access may need to be confirmed further”, we would be very concerned, and would not support, if it was proposed that vehicular access should be via Keepers Lane, which is notoriously difficult to access and exit easily and without risk.
5.Harm to Biodiversity
Paragraph 180 of the NPPF requires planning decisions to minimise impacts on biodiversity and provide net gains where possible.
The fact that the sites are of biodiversity value is not disputed. Their relatively open and undeveloped nature and the presence of hedgerows (some historic), many trees and other environmental features provide important and much-valued habitats for a variety of wildlife and wildflowers. They support many species and habitats, some of which are protected. Indeed, their biodiversity value is stressed in that one (45265) is adjacent to a Local Wildlife Site and the other one is close to the aforementioned Local Wildlife Site.
Many of these habitats and features on both sites (including important trees) will be unacceptably adversely affected by the proposal. Far more than the moderate impact incorrectly suggested and weakly justified in the supporting documents prepared by NEDDC.
6.Adverse effects of the proposals on landscape character, appearance of the sites and the visual amenity of the surrounding area.
The proposal would have a significantly harmful effect on the landscape character, distinctiveness and appearance of the area. That the sites are in the countryside is not disputed by any parties.
Both sites are cherished and valued features in the local landscape. This is for a variety of reasons. The wildlife and habitats they support, the opportunities they present for informal and formal recreation, their attractive topography and the views and panoramas they offer. They are also important for the setting of the settlement of Barlow Commonside.
In addition, they contain trees and other significant natural and other assets that contribute to their important open character.
If the sites were developed, this would inevitably change their character. It would have a harmful urbanising effect, thereby resulting in significant and permanent harm to the landscape, and local distinctiveness.
7.Unacceptable impact on Heritage Assets
We are also deeply concerned about the adverse impact that the proposals will have on designated and non -designated heritage assets.
In particular, Crowhole Conservation Area, situated to the west of site 45265. In addition, both sites contribute to its setting and provide important views to and from the Conservation Area. This is a designated heritage asset, reflecting its national importance. It is much loved and cherished.
We consider that the proposals, even taking into account any potential mitigation measures, would cause irreversible and substantial harm to the designated Crowhole Conservation Area and its setting and are, therefore, contrary to national and local planning policies that seek to conserve important and irreplaceable heritage assets.
8.Impact of Flooding and Drainage
The sites lie in an area that is in danger of flooding and the Coal Authority has designated it as a high- risk location due to coal mining activities. There could well be insufficient capacity in the sewerage system too.
These features make them unsuitable for development due to the risks they pose, especially to surface stability, flooding and drainage as well as to public safety and amenity more generally. While it is clear from the various documents submitted that NEDDC is aware of this, we do not consider, however, that sufficient regard has been given to these factors in the site assessment process. We are far from convinced that the developments would be safe. There is every chance that there would be an unacceptable increase in the risk of flooding and, as such, development should not be allowed on the sites.
9.The sites continue to perform an important Green Belt role
While we recognise that this will be the subject of a separate review, we consider the sites to be ‘high performing’ in Green Belt terms. They have and continue to perform an important and cherished Green Belt role. In particular, they check the unrestricted sprawl of built-up areas and safeguard the countryside. They perform a very important Green Belt function. Surely, focus should be on the development of brownfield sites and urban areas.
For these compelling reasons the sites should be discounted as potential housing sites, and removed from the schedule of sites contained in the emerging Local Plan.
Local Plan Meeting Notes – 11 June 2026 (1pm to 2pm)
1. Attendance
Green Belt Review
NEDDC will now be examining:
- Emma Smith – Parish Clerk
- Cllr Noble – Parish Councillor
- Cllr Pam Jones - NEDDC
- Cllr William Jones - NEDDC
- David Thompson – NEDDC Officer
Green Belt Review
- The Green Belt review will be completed in June 2026.
- Findings will inform site allocations and constraints in the emerging Local Plan.
- The Regulation 18 consultation closed in April 2026.
- NEDDC Officers are currently reviewing and categorising all comments received.
NEDDC will now be examining:
- Infrastructure capacity
- Public Rights of Way impacts
- Flood risk assessments for potential development sites
- Responses from statutory consultees, including water companies
- An independent study is underway to determine whether 12,000 homes are genuinely required in the district.
- The study is based on data and assumptions provided by NEDDC Officers.
- Findings will be presented to NEDDC Cabinet in August 2026.
- The Regulation 19 consultation is scheduled for September 2026, based on the draft Local Plan approved by Council.
- After consultation, the Plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
- Hearings are expected to take place around March 2027.
- Parish Councils may register to speak on relevant site allocations.
- Members of the public cannot speak at these hearings.
- The Housing Needs Assessment is already being used to support new planning applications.
- Additional policies will be developed to ensure a balanced housing mix on future development sites.
- Severn Trent Water has provided a response regarding the potential development sites.
- A response from Yorkshire Water is still awaited.
- Sustainable drainage options are being explored to reduce reliance on large attenuation ponds on major sites.
- Existing Local Plans that are adopted before reorganisation will remain in force.
- However, they will be reviewed within five years as part of preparing a larger combined Local Plan for the new authority structure.