Plans for more than 50 homes are set to be approved in Woodville, despite concerns over flooding and road safety.

The project, from Stonebond Properties (Solihull), would see 54 houses built on land behind 97 Hartshorne Road - four miles outside Ashby - which would be demolished to make way for the housing.

South Derbyshire District Council planning officials have recommended that the scheme be approved at a meeting on Tuesday, August 20, with councillors making the final decision.

If approved, the new housing development would sit close to the Clock Garage Roundabout and the Bellway Homes Woodland Rise and Ashberry Homes Hartshorne View newbuild estates at Broomy Farm.

Both Hartshorne and Woodville parish councils have objected to the scheme due to the existing flooding issues on Hartshorne Road where it dips nearby, along with the potential to worsen current traffic and road safety conditions.

The five-way Clock Garage Roundabout is a notorious traffic bottleneck for the Swadlincote area, featuring regular tailbacks along its approaches, including Hartshorne Road, which is a frequent route for motorists heading to and from Derby.

Derbyshire County Council and National Highways are both content with the scheme and have not raised objections about traffic or road safety.

County officials wrote: "There would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or a severe impact on congestion and there are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained."

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The county council flood team are also content with the flood risk, with advice around providing further underground storage tanks on the site to collect floodwater and gradually release it.

A total of 38 objection letters have been submitted by members of the public opposing the scheme, relating to alleged overdevelopment, the visual impact, detrimental effect on neighbouring homes, traffic and road safety issues, and flooding and wildlife issues.

Of the homes, 18 would be two-bed houses, 32 would be three-bed houses, and four would be four-bed houses, with a total of 113 car parking spaces and 54 spots for bikes.

Among these homes would be 16 properties classed as "affordable housing".

District council officers, recommending approval, wrote: "It is considered that the principle of development in this location is acceptable due to its sustainable location and siting within the settlement boundary as defined through the adopted Local Plan (a blueprint for future development).

"It is however acknowledged that there has been significant public objection to the development of this land which is currently agricultural with one residential dwelling and garden, providing a green space break in an otherwise urban built up area. "Concerns relating to the loss of biodiversity, and the impact on surrounding residents are noted, and it is accepted that the development of this site will change the outlook and quiet nature of the site.

"Whilst these concerns are acknowledged, the proposed development would also bring about benefits including 54 new homes, 16 of which will be affordable homes, improving access to and choice of housing in the district.

"The site is considered sustainable in that it has access to local services, sustainable transport options and employment and contributions will be made towards enhancing these facilities."

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