Recently the  DDDC planning application for a travellers site in Rowsley was defeated as a result of a huge amout of opposition by residents. Their coordinated campaign stopped the development and has now left only the Middleton site as a possible site and so without a significant opposition to this development it will be passed even though the site is unsuitable. 

Once the formal planning application has been submitted residents can submit an objection to the application by letter or online. It is important that lots of residents do this in order to stop this development. It will be important also to collect signatures for a petition.  At the actual planning council meeting there is the  opportunity to give a 3 minutes statement to the planning committee and again we need about 15 volunteers to do this for any opposition to the site to be taken seriously.

The action group are hoping to coordinate some of the opposition to the application and have researched the potential impact of any objection. They are also willing to help individuals object through some sample letters which can easily be copied. The action group can also help anyone brave enough to speak at the meeting,  for example any long standing resident who has particular concerns, such as the impact on the graveyard.

Send a written objection

There are two ways to do this. The simplest way is just to email  or write to the planning department directly using the address or link below, making sure you quote you own name and address and preferably the planning reference.

Address: Regulatory Services -Derbyshire Dales District Council -Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, DE4 3NN.

Email:  planning@derbyshiredales.gov.uk.

You can find the application by searching for "Middleton" at the following link

https://planning.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/online-applications/

When you click on the planning application there are a number of tabs. The key ones are the documents which give details of comments on the applications from institutions and residents. To make your own objection from here you need to register with the DDDC

The link to register is

https://planning.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/online-applications/registrationWizard.do?action=start

Once done it is easy to "make a comment" under the comments tab.

At this point it is possible to submit documents which might include diagrams, photographs, data which support you objections, e.g. photo of how close the site will be to the graveyard. This cannot be done at the meeting. Though emotional appeals have an impact and some of these are needed it is important that objections are based on failing to meet the general rules for granting planning permission in the countryside (S4), the specifics for travellers sites (HC6) and the impact on the peak district (EC8) which are all described in the DDDC local plan. Matching an objection to one of these points can be very effective. 

Attending the planning council meeting

This is a very important and effective way of affecting the planning  process. Especially if the council have not taken into account all the impacts the development will have on the community.

Anyone can attend the planning council meeting and have the opportunity to give a 3 minutes statement to the planning committee at the start of the meeting. There is no obligation to stay for the whole meeting once the public participation has been completed.

Anyone wishing to address the Planning Committee in person may do so by notifying the Committee Administrator (Tel 01629 761133) before 12 noon on the third working day prior to the relevant meeting. At this time, you will be asked to indicate the item of business your representation relates to and whether you are supporting or opposing the proposal.

Alternatively go to the following link which allows you to complete this online.

https://selfserve.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/renderform?t=38&k=6EADE07D9FBA0B0F307B4AAAC0E0360CD7CEBD88

Those persons who indicate that they wish to make representations must attend the venue by 5.45pm on the day of the meeting and inform the Committee Administrator.