AMANDA SOLLOWAY MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON, SW1A 0AA

Sarah Claxton Development Control Officer – City Council Corporation Street Derby, DE1 2FS 29th June 2015

Dear Ms Claxton,

Land off North Avenue. Ref: 06/15/00720

I write to voice my opposition to the above application. This application has caused great concern for local residents for a number of reasons, outlined below. I know that many local people have written to object to this application, and I hope that you take their representations into account, and give them their full weight.

My main reasons for opposition are outlined below, but to summarise, I believe that the development would:

Further increase the traffic and parking on and around South Avenue and Church Lane Dilute the distinctive setting of this historic village, vital to qualifying for the award of World Heritage status Reduce the “Green Wedge”, blurring the identities of Darley and settlements

Increased traffic and parking: The proposed development will increase the traffic and parking on and around South Avenue and Church Lane. You will be aware of existing problems in this area around the junction of the two streets, where vehicles are regularly parked on both sides of the road. I’m sure that this proposal will place a significant weight onto an already congested road network and increase the danger for residents and visitors.

Diluting the distinctive setting of : The proposal will dilute the unique setting of the historic village which was vital to qualifying for the award of World Heritage status. This erosion of setting could result in Derby becoming infamous for an action which destroys a unique asset resulting in the loss of World Heritage status for our City.

Reducing the “Green Wedge”: The development will result in the reduction of the “Green Wedge”, and will blur the very separate identities of Darley Abbey and Allestree. I know that residents are proud of the distinct character of Darley Abbey, and I’m certain that the development would have a negative impact on the role and status of Darley Abbey in the Derwent Mills World Heritage Site.

It was only last year that local residents raised opposition to the application for planning permission to build 45 houses on this site between North Avenue and the A38. I firmly believe that this new application does very little to address concerns raised in the original application, and makes no substantial changes in order to make it acceptable to local residents.

I will continue to push hard for more appropriate development in Derby City on sites that already exist, and that are crying out for development. I very much hope that the Council shares this approach.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Solloway MP Member of Parliament Derby North

Serving the people of Abbey, , Darley, Derwent, , Mackworth, and , all year round.