Pleasley: Planners allow change to developers’ scheme amidst claims Travelling Showpeople are ‘not welcome’

Bolsover Council’s planning committee originally approved planning permission in July2025, for four residential mobile home plots for travelling showpeople on countryside land at Station Yard, off Chesterfield Road.

But due to residents’ objections, applicants Mr Marshall and Mr Allen submitted a new application for a change of use of the land to instead introduce seven caravans as permanent residential homes for ‘any persons’ with gardens and vehicle access which the committee approved at a meeting on February 18.

Agent Matt Williams, representing the applicants, told the meeting there had been a significant reaction from the community so the applicants altered their plans because they do not want to place travelling showpeople in a place where they are not welcome.

Mr Williams said: “Sadly, the simple fact is that travelling showpeople are not welcome in this community.

“It is proven by the fact there were 48 objections with the community and a strong gathering at the last committee meeting.”

However, formal objections to the plans from residents have always been based on the impact on the environment, highways safety and parking, as well as the feared increase in traffic on an unadopted and deteriorating road with no pavements deemed by residents to be unsuitable for two-way traffic.

The planning committee previously approved plans for four residential mobile home plots for travelling showpeople in July 2025, despite residents’ fears that the site may expand with increased traffic, pose a threat to the environment and create conflict over the use of a privately owned, unadopted access road with residents’ homes situated between the site and a main road.

It was acknowledged at that time that the 0.42 hectare site was already an established vacant travelling showpeople’s yard accessed by an unadopted driveway which is in private ownership and serves homes off Chesterfield Road known as Midland Cottages.

The site previously had planning permission to store, maintain and repair travelling showpeople’s equipment for fairs, circuses or shows, according to the council.

It was also pointed out by the council the applicants have an ‘unfettered legal right’ over the privately owned access road serving Midland Cottages and that any dispute between residents, owners and the applicants regarding site access rights, or any works to the private road to facilitate the development, are a private legal matter and not within the remit of the planning authority.

The council received over 40 letters from residents, concerning the original application, who feared that the site could expand beyond four caravans and those with concerns argued that Pleasley already has an ‘over-adequate’ protected caravan site at Common Lane.

Objecting residents also argued the original application would create a radical change in character and identity for the area and that there appeared to be a complete disregard and lack of consideration for the residents of Midland Cottages and the surrounding area.

Some also raised fears any additional traffic could prove hazardous and that the access road is not wide enough.

Concerns were also raised that the site is next to a nature reserve with nesting birds and wildlife and that the end of nearby Chesterfield Road below the site floods regularly and the area poses foul system drainage worries.

And residents stated they will not allow their part of the Midland Cottages road to be dug up to provide access to services and they are concerned damage to the unadopted road with increased wear and tear could pose increased maintenance and repair costs for residents.

Pleasley Parish Council also objected to the first application because it doubted the development would be limited to just for four mobile homes and it felt the area’s green space should be protected.

Bolsover councillor Tom Kirkham (Lab) also objected with concerns about contamination after the land was previously granted permission for storage, maintenance and repair of showpeople’s plant and equipment and he also raised concerns around access to the site along the unadopted road.

Eight ‘resident representations’ were also considered for the latest application which again included concerns about the scheme’s impact on the environment, highways safety and parking, as well as the feared increase in traffic on an unadopted and deteriorating road with no pavements deemed by objectors to be unsuitable for two-way traffic.

One objector stated: “It isn’t viable for a potential 14 extra vehicles coming up and down this road.

“It hasn’t got a pavement or walkway for the children that live up here to walk on as the road isn’t wide enough and that would make it very dangerous if more cars are coming up and down.”

Pleasley Council also objected again to the latest application highlighting further concerns about access and claiming there are no sewage or sanitation services to the site but Severn Trent Water raised no objections in relation to the disposal of surface water and foul sewage for the development.

The council’s environmental health officer, senior engineer and waste and recycling manager all also raised no objections.

Derbyshire Council’s highways authority also stated there would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety from the scheme or a severe impact on congestion with the development and there are no justifiable grounds on which to raise a highways objection.

And even though the highways authority accepted there will be an increase in vehicle movements along Midland Cottages, it added that overall traffic levels would remain low and the increased likelihood of vehicles needing to give way does not indicate that highway safety would be materially affected.

The highways authority also acknowledged that there is no footway and that pedestrians including children and elderly residents will share the carriageway but it says this reflects the existing character of Midland Cottages rather than a change introduced by the development and that vehicle speeds will be naturally low due to the nature of the road.

A district council report confirmed it has been advised the community has not reacted positively to travelling showpeople occupying the site so the latest application involves a change to permanent residential accommodation by ‘any persons’ because the applicants have formally stated they do not want to place travelling showpeople in this environment.

Applicant Mr Marshall attempted to present what he referred to as ‘photographic evidence’ relating to his claims of an erected sign concerning certain opposition to the scheme.

He claimed this ‘photographic evidence’ was withheld from the planning committee but Chris Whitmore, district council development manager, explained this information had to be removed due to sensitive legal considerations.

Agent Mr Williams revealed how he regularly represents traveller groups and he suggested to the committee that it may wish to consider a condition with its planning approval to ensure ‘harmonious’ living conditions.

He also said that even though the unadopted road is owned by residents the applicants have offered to contribute to some sort of improvement work but that offer has not yet been taken up.

Mr Williams also confirmed there is no intention to remove any trees and there is a condition that requires landscaping with the scheme.

District councillor Phil Smith (Lab), said: “If you look across the whole of Bolsover you will find a lot of traveller communities living harmoniously with communities.”

The district council reconsidered the changes, the increasing number of plots and vehicle standing areas as well as the vehicle access to the site which has continued to be raised as a concern with added worries that the new scheme will put ‘too much strain on the area’.

But Mr Whitmore told the meeting that Derbyshire Council’s highways authority have raised no objections and the district council feels the site is well contained and there is no adverse impact on the area.

He added: “There are no technical or planning reasons to recommend refusal which is why we are recommending approval.”

A district council report confirmed the application raises no concerns regarding impacts on the rural character of the environment, design and character, residential amenity, biodiversity, land contamination and stability, highway safety, flooding and drainage and the application has demonstrated a sustainable form of development.

The planning committee voted to approve the latest planning application for seven permanent residential caravans at the site subject to a number of conditions.

These include ensuring there will be no more than seven caravans and that they shall be occupied as a person’s sole, or main place of residence and shall not be occupied for holiday let purposes.

Conditions also stipulated a scheme of foul drainage and surface water disposal must be submitted with a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan with both to be approved by the planning authority.

Following the meeting, Mr Marshall confirmed a previously voiced offer that the applicants are still willing to contribute a share of costs towards any agreed plans to improve the condition of the unadopted road and they always want to build good relationships with neighbours.