There has been a long standing plan to build an estate of 150 houses on the edge of Breadsall alongside Lime Lane. The deadline for commenting on this proposal is fast approaching (2nd Sept.) so, if you have a view, you need to submit it soon.
You can submit your comment by visiting the Derby City planning website and selecting ‘Login to make a comment.’ (You will need to register if you are not already registered). The planning application number is 24/01023/OUT
There is a lot of controversy regarding this development and there have been a number of objections already submitted (1200!). Derby Cycling Group is concentrating solely on the cycle related aspects of the plans. Our comments include:
- the application proposes to create cycle links from the new estate to the Breadsall Greenway (NCN 672) including a crossing over Mansfield Road. However, this link is outside the scope of the existing proposal (the “red line” area) and thus is unlikely to be a definite commitment to deliver. Past experience is that this kind of commitment often disappears as development progresses. The application should provide a cast iron guarantee (and sufficient funding) to create a crossing over Mansfield Road and for the necessary connecting cycle paths (which meet an appropriate standard). The crossing should be for both cyclists and pedestrians (i.e. a Toucan crossing).
- as with all significant new build developments, the developers have to provide a Travel Plan. In many cases (and also here) this plan is very underwhelming and often consists of providing all new residents with a map of local cycle routes and a set of bus timetables. For this application a bus ticket for each resident has also been added! See the “Travel Plan” at the planning site for full details. The application should include an effective plan that will deliver a real growth in active travel from the new residents rather than one that just “ticks the administrative boxes” for the planning process
- the application includes a “transport plan” of 533 pages of which 8 pages (including images) address sustainability including pedestrians, cyclists and bus travel. A large part of the remainder of the document concentrates on modelling motor traffic flows. We would wish to see more focus on creating an effective and realistic transport plan that makes a real difference to the traffic flows by encouraging and enabling more active travel (cycling, walking and bus travel).
- Active Travel England are now a statutory consultee for any development of more than 150 dwellings. For this application Active Travel England have decided to not be involved but have responded advising that the “standard advice” should be followed. This advises that the “planning application toolkit” should be completed and submitted as part of the planning application – this doesn’t seem to have happened.
Lime Lane from Mansfield Road towards the Kings Corner pub is currently very unsuitable for cycling (too narrow, traffic is too fast and tends to be impatient for cyclists slowly cycling uphill) and the proposed development could provide an alternative route to provide a much enhanced environment for cyclists. The application should include the necessary improvements to allow cyclists to avoid Lime Lane.
The linkage from the new estate to the NCN 672 would provide an excellent route towards Derby city centre. The application should provide a cast iron guarantee that the necessary high quality links from the estate to the NCN are provided and that they are built to the national standard (LTN 1/20).