"Published on Thursday 2 December 2004 12:00 A PLANNING inspector has been called in to adjudicate on one of the most controversial planning applications in Darley Dale's history. Permission to build houses in the grounds of St Elphin's School was originally turned down by Derbyshire Dales District Council – but the applicants have appealed. During the appeal meeting last week, planning inspector David Smith was bombarded with arguments for and against the development. School chiefs and would-be developers urged him to overturn the council's decision, claiming the cash-strapped school would not survive without a cash injection. But top planning officers, residents and representatives of Darley Dale Town Council told the inspector that the decision to turn down planning permission had been correct because the scheme was inappropriate. Campaigning resident Richard Brooks said: "We do not have any ill will towards St Elphin's School, but we are opposed to the carving up of an open area of land." In June, it was reported that the school had been bought by a group of local businessmen who claimed they wanted to turn around its fortunes. But it has emerged that a successful appeal against the planning decision is crucial to the businessmen's strategy. Cllr John Evans, Mayor of Darley Dale, said: "They bought the land knowing they were heavily reliant on planning permission. "This is opportunism and they are not the least bit interested in protecting the school." District council planner Jon Bradbury said: "The new owners took on a business venture and you have to have the financial wherewithall to suffer an immediate loss to raise pupil numbers and turn the situation around." But a spokesman for the landowners said housing development was the only realistic way to safeguard the future of a crucial educational facility. He argued that the development would be sustainable because it would be close to a main bus route and services in Darley Dale. Meanwhile, Paul Wilson, head of planning at the district council, argued that people living in the new homes would be reliant on Matlock for jobs and services, meaning more car journeys. The planning inspector, who conducted a site visit after last Friday's public meeting, is expected to reach a decision in about a month. By Will Kilner
Reprinted by kind permission of Matlock Mercury |
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