MP’s Opposition to Village Housing Plan Coincides with Doubled Building Targets

A Labour Member of Parliament acknowledged the “irony” of his objection to a proposed development of 70 new residences in a village within his constituency. This stance emerged on the same day his government unveiled updated national housing construction objectives. John Whitby, who represents the Derbyshire Dales, voiced his opposition to the scheme for new homes in Brailsford, located near Derby. Concurrently, his district council received a directive from the government to construct 580 new homes annually, a significant increase from the 216 required under the previous Conservative administration. The planning committee of Derbyshire Dales District Council chose to postpone a decision on the proposals, requesting further reports. Gladman Developments intends to construct these homes on a parcel of land situated at the south-eastern periphery of the village, accessible via Throstle Nest Way. Should the project gain approval, it would incorporate eight affordable housing units on the site. Additionally, it would allocate funds towards a medical practice, a primary school, Ashbourne Library, and enhancements to bus shelters along the A52. However, Mr. Whitby asserted that the development was inappropriately located and noted that prior applications for the site had been rejected. He stated: “It does seem a bit ironic that on the day the government produces a statement on housing targets I am here opposing a development. Of course we do need housing, there is no doubt about that, but not at any price. The reason why I am happy to oppose this development is because it is one of those that keeps coming back because it keeps getting rejected. It was rejected in the 90s, it was rejected in 2016 and again in 2022, and if a development keeps getting rejected there is probably a very, very good reason why.” According to information from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Whitby further argued that the plans fell outside Brailsford’s established development boundary, which is designed to “prevent sprawl,” and highlighted that the village had “doubled in size in the last couple of decades.”