Council considers selling land near Oregon Way for housing. Residents cite traffic, infrastructure concerns.
The land could become an estate entrance and exit. Planners must still approve the housing estate. About 215 homes could be built on Brook Farm. A large part of this site will be public space.
Council officers are close to a sales deal. The developer must buy the council’s land. Without it, the housing development cannot happen. The meeting report details this necessity. The Oregon Way land unlocks housing development.
It helps the city build 12,500 needed homes. Finding another site would become necessary otherwise. However, councillors and residents show great concern. Residents have fought Brook Farm development.
Objections failed; housing plans were approved before. Yet, no homes got constructed. A resident named Phil Haynes raised infrastructure concerns. He thinks the area cannot handle 200 more homes. He anticipates more cars and increased population. Existing roads seem inadequate.
Peter Barnett, an Oregon Way resident, also spoke out. He said increased traffic is the most important issue. His street is usually very quiet right now. New homes will change that.
Some councillors worry about future land sales. They fear development on fields by Acorn Way. They want Acorn Way and its land to stay a “natural boundary.” Doing so would protect three suburbs. Councillors Pearce and Wright posted on Facebook.
They called the land “public open space.” Selling it shows disregard for community recreation. They want to keep Acorn Way a boundary. The councillors stated housing plans were adopted in 2017 by Labour. They are now urging the council to withdraw the proposal.
Councillor Khan runs the Derby City Council housing cabinet. He stated the housing supply faces challenges. Demand has clearly outpaced housing supply. He said the land sale opens a needed housing site.
Brook Farm got allocated for housing back in 2017. Up to 275 homes could get built there. Development should respect the countryside nearby. It plans public green space access too.