A total of 276 residents responded to my survey. The results are below. You can read my submission to Bolsover District Council Planning here -> https://www.mark-fletcher.org.uk/sites/www.mark-fletcher.org.uk/files/2…
Do you support or oppose the Clowne Garden Village proposals?
- Support: 4% (12)
- Oppose: 95% (261)
- Don’t Know: 1% (3)
From your experience living locally, do you think our public services and infrastructure will cope with an additional 1,800 houses?
- No: 97% (268)
- Yes: 3% (8)
What are your TWO biggest concerns for the development?
- Impact on local healthcare like access to GP services and dentists = 39% (109)
- Environmental issues like flooding and wildlife protection = 41% (113)
- Overdevelopment i.e., the size/scale of the proposals = 39% (108)
- Lack of affordable housing = 9% (24)
- An additional 3,000 cars on our road network = 58% (159)
- Impact on local education like school places: 26% (72)
- Loss of green space: 22% (60)
- I do not have any concerns: 3% (7)
Clowne Garden Village Survey – Resident Comments
‘’it is far too big. It is going to be built on farming/green belt land. Bolsover dc will drive it through regardless of what people think, because that is how they work.’’
‘’Additional 3000 cars plus & add to that the proposed industrial estate will add vans & trucks’’
‘’All of the above are concerning- the impact on the environment is an obvious concern however the impact on schools, healthcare and roads are massive factors to consider.’’
‘’All of the above concerns are valid, and I have seen no evidence of viable plans to mitigate these concerns.’’
‘’All of the above not just the two main ones.. I am strongly against it.’’
‘’All of the above will be impacted negatively by the development. The council is not listening to the constituents. Development and change is inevitable but there is no plan. Not even a poor one for management and mitigation of the serious negative impacts on the lives of current residents. Much of the evidence base has been proven to be flawed or out of date or downright misleading. The whole debacle should be called in. We actually need a judicial review.’’
‘’ CGV and the Industrial is not in keeping with the surroundings. It will not only affect Clowne but Barlborough and surrounding areas. Our countryside is gradually being eroded.’’
‘’ Clowne cannot sustain another possible 5000 people with the services it currently has, the schools are already at capacity and it's practically impossible to get to see a G.P now. The roads and infrastructure are simply unable to cope with the extra traffic, even with proposed new roads it would cause traffic jams and pollution. The land they are proposing to build on floods regularly, where is all this extra water supposed to drain to when the fields are completely covered in houses and concrete? This would undoubtedly have an impact on many other residents. I appreciate the need for housing, but we need affordable housing on a much smaller scale, not expensive mansions that local people cannot afford.’’
‘’ Clowne does not have the infrastructure to support such a huge development like this. There has already been several big developments in Clowne over the past few years but very little infrastructure if any to support the increases. Plus, there are huge developments in all the surrounding villages, leading to a significant increase in traffic already. Most of the roads aren't fit for purpose, with such demands on them, huge pot holes all over the place. Majority are country roads fit for village traffic, we are not a Town or a City, but I fear this us what is being pushed. Why are we allowing greenbelt land to be developed? This doesn't make sense, there is no logical argument for building on it. When it's gone it's gone, how will we be able to grow our own food then? These areas also provide important habitat for wildlife and act as wildlife corridors.’’
‘’Clowne does not have the infrastructure to cope with an additional housing area. New GP practices, new schools and revised road systems can be discussed but without these already being put in place before the addition of new housing, it will cause more traffic, impact education and health. Recent local flooding has also shown the area will not cope with the area being built on. For all those who could potentially buy a house in this area you are putting them at risk of their homes being flooded out and the financial impact of insurance premiums. I could write for hours about my thoughts on Clowne Green Village because overall it is a terrible idea with a terrible name.’’
‘’Clowne doesn't have the infrastructure/sewage capacity or schools/health care and the planning dept of the Council do not appear to give a thought for anything that matters to our well being only thoughts are for the extra council tax they will drag in.’’
‘’ Clowne garden village is taking Clowne beyond its current boundaries and making Barlborough and Clowne into one place. Its would damage the identity of the village. Clowne would become one large car park with the lack of road infrastructure for all the additional cars. Tesco is currently too busy for the amount of houses. Flood risks in the area have already had an impact. Hardstanding is one of the biggest reasons for flooding in overdeveloped areas.’’
‘’ Clowne is already gridlocked at rush hour without an additional 3000 cars and the destruction of the woodland would have devasting impact on the local flora and fauna, the housing needs for the area are already above the criteria that’s been set’’
‘’ Clowne is already too big. We’ll lose too much green space, traffic will significantly increase, and our roads will be congested.’’
‘’ Clowne is busy enough as it is, schools are busy, roads are extremely busy. Rush hour causes enough traffic as it is. Also, pot holes are bad enough and there isn’t enough money to invest back into the community. More people will cause a huge overwhelm in the community and turn the village from a nice family place into a town like, commercial village. Furthermore, houses on Creswell road will lose their view and value, and that road is already busy enough. From an environmental point of view, there will be far less green space in our village and the extra cars will cause more pollution.’’
‘’Clowne needs REDEVELOPMENT not more unnecessary development. Busy roads without adequate pavement, parking facilities, i.e. High street, Church street, Crown street etc.’’
‘’Clowne was a village. A development of this scale will ruin Clowne and send it into gridlock.’’
‘’ Clowne will not cope with the extra volume brought to the village. Our roads are not able to cope with current volume, let alone cars that will add to the traffic, our gp, dentist, schools, local shops will not be able to sustain the demand and there is very little space to build and encourage more retail. I am also concerned that our mains services will not cope and the cost and upheaval to put the correct level of services in will be negative on our village, the severe impact on our village whilst this build will go on is completely unacceptable. Our roads are not able to cope as we are, there is no scope to widen the roads into our village. The cost of this build far exceeds any gains this new garden village will bring to Clowne. The people of Clowne have worked hard to preserve the wildlife and land we are surrounded with, we embrace our open fields, wildlife and the village life. Garden village will not be of any benefit to Clowne. It will be detrimental.’’
‘’Clowne, already does not have enough parking and there is also congestion especially around Station Road and North Road. Access to and from The Arc on the High Street is bad and parking there is congested.’’
‘’Completely unnecessary. There are not droves of people wandering the streets looking for housing. We MUST re-develop derelict space. Ex pit tips, industrial dereliction etc. Green belt is green belt end of.’’
‘’Don’t see the need for industrial estate and a hotel.’’
‘’ Don't build housing geographically so far from an area that can offer high employment. Commuting possibly an hour to a job is not ideal at all. Clowne is not able to offer the kind of employment a housing project like the one in question is going to generate.’’
‘’Enough is enough. So many houses been built lately.’’
‘’Far too big, not enough public awareness and consultation for such a massive development. The local plan seems to have been manipulated to suit the developer and not to suit the community.’’
‘’Feels like the data using the justify the development is out of date and council is not transparent’’
‘’Flooding - crossroads where Hickinwood Lane and Station Rd meet floods with heavy rain at the moment. Schools - Primary and Infant are not far off capacity before they build more houses, if Clowne and surrounding areas are doubled in size then surely the school network should be doubled to accommodate the extra pupils. Doctors/Dentists - everyone knows that every doctors surgery is already stretched, naturally more people in the area are going to stretch the services more.
Overdevelopment/House Prices - every single housing development over the last 10years has been overdeveloped and house prices don’t reflect the value of the local area. Van Dyke village is a prime example of that. A house that couldn’t sell for £625k in 2022 is on the market for £715K in 2024 still hasn’t sold. Any houses built will be overvalued. What will happen is there will be two parts to Clowne the bit which will be the new village with big 4/5 bed houses, then the old village which is as it is now, terrace rows from 1900 etc, your not extending/growing the village of Clowne, you’ll be creating a whole new village. Personally if there was more housing that was affordable or more reasonable priced for the area that local people would buy then it get more support, less houses more development in the green areas, give more land back to nature, to encourage wildlife to move to the area for kids and people to enjoy. Used to have frogs/toads in my back garden, not seen them for a few years now. Does that mean that the deer I’ve seen on my morning dog walk, bats flying around on a summer evening as the sun sets in the night sky, hedgehogs will all disappear as well. Clowne doesn’t need 1800 more houses. It needs more houses that suit the area and economics of the area and people who will invest in local shops business etc.’’
‘’ Flooding risk is an issue the houses where a road is going through the field is absolutely madness as it will have a huge impact on the houses that are already there with flooding noise and pollution and the wildlife should be made unlawful !!’’
‘’ Getting around Clowne in a vehicle right now is a big problem when there are road works or motorway accidents, the garden village will make it 10 times worse. The doctors are virtually none existent so will not be able to cope with yet more patients. Likewise the schools in existence were not built for the amount of pupils already attending, so where will the influx of new children go? We already know that any new schools promised will never be built. new schools’’
‘’ Green spaces me and my family use and that are in close proximity to our home will be lost forever and endangered species or birds (a high number of which are red status with the RSPB) and animals will have their habitat destroyed. I have had to register with a dentist half an hour away the other side of Chesterfield, as no local dentist were taking on NHS patients, you have to call the 8am to be able to get an appointment at the doctors, and even then you have to queue for a long time. The infrastructure around here is not geared for this kind of development with single track roads within the proposed development area, even though these are apparently not going to be used, they inevitably will. This development is wholly inappropriate for Clowne and those living here.’’
‘’How can the area, police, educate, care for, support and deal with the traffic of this many new houses and people. Id imagine the site will be divide into just the perfect size per builder so as they don’t need to build a school a surgery, another road etc. stupid idea that no one locally really wants in an area that can’t cope with the current population, crime, traffic etc.’’
‘’ How would the existing utility infrastructure cope with such a large development. i.e. sewage disposal and treatment, the existing sewage works in Clowne it is not that big at the moment. Potable drinking water supplies. Electricity supply. Gas supply. Telecom and broadband supply.’’
‘’I am all for development but in the scale proposed it is ridiculous to think that Clowne can cope with all these extra houses! The roads are bad enough without the extra cars, the schools are full as are the healthcare centres not to mention the impact it will have on the local wildlife and green space. Building to this extent is purely driven by greed and a lack of consideration for local people. It’s not like the houses proposed are even affordable for the general population of Clowne! This will create a divide between those living here already and those moving in!’’
‘’ I believe it is a good proposal but only if doctors and schools are brought in line to accommodate the increased population.’’
‘’ I believe that the council should ensure a good section 104 payment so services can be improved and that a good percentage minimum 10% of house should be social housing to help those on lower incomes’’
‘’ I don’t think it is necessary. If it has to be done, we need more schools, shops and infrastructure to cope with the additional people that will move to the area. Thousands of houses with one local Tesco and Aldi is a recipe for disaster.’’
‘’ I don’t think the developers have thought this through at all, the village of Clowne will be at a stand still at every hour of the day, not to mention the lack of infrastructure. Will they be building a new Tesco to go with it ? Its busy enough as it is without another 2000 residents injected into the community. If this goes ahead it'll be chaos at every turn’’
‘’ I feel like there’s been no thought process to it the are currently 82 flood warnings in the UK and it’s inlay going to get worst these houses won’t help with it the traffic is already bad’’
‘’ I feel the development plan is simply another mean for the rich to get richer. I’d like to keep the landscape of this small English gem as it is right now. The future is only another part of the past, so why not enjoy what we have now?’’
‘’ I feel the garden village is not in fitting with our community of Clowne. Over the past 10+ years we have grown into bigger village and because of this community spirit has already dipped.’’
‘’ I find it ridiculous that anyone has even proposed this. It will be detrimental to so many things. Transport, schools, traffic and loss of green space/ countryside. Tesco is already too busy and will just be gridlocked if this plan is followed through’’
‘’ I have been living in Clowne for the past8 years and seen it grow and grow with new housing BUT I haven't seen any increase in the infrastructure.’’
‘’I have lived in Clowne all my life. I've seen an exponential increase in housing over those years. The current infrastructure and services in the village are at breaking point. A development of this size will cause a massive breakdown of schools, health care, social care and bring the roads through the village to a grinding halt. The people of Clowne do not want this development and are being railroaded by a Council that thinks it can do whatever it wants.’’
‘’ I live in Whitwell and feel we are loosing the village. All these developments are not sustainable, we do not have enough school places, GPs and services for our current population, to add to this would be madness. The majority of new housing isn't affordable either, we need to regulate existing rental properties and house prices so local and young people can afford to live.’’
‘’ I live on Barlborough links backing on to Oxcroft Way. The road is already struggling at key times through the day as people queue back sometimes as far as the golf course to head towards the motorway. This already makes getting around locally a challenge. If anything happens on the motorway the road is then at a standstill.’’
‘’ I live on new Barlborough close. I see daily the deer in the fields opposite and note the volume of traffic is excessive down Oxcroft way to and from the motorway. No extra measures are in place to cope with that. I do not wish to live centrally. All the residents live here because it is the edge of the village with open green space and the current house prices reflect that compared to centrally in the village/built up part.’’
‘’I oppose it as the village simply cannot cope being any busier. The roads are already horrendous, too much traffic, too many large vehicles, not enough parking, narrow pole hole ridden roads. More traffic would be a nightmare. Clowne village would lose its personality and homely feel. The shops wouldn't be able to supply to demand, already the petrol station and supermarkets regularly run out of fuel & essentials. Not enough parking in their car parks either. Doctors is an absolute joke to get an appointment already. We don't need more homes round here and certainly not one's above £200,000 as many families are struggling to afford the homes they already have. Leave Clowne alone. Why not focus on improving the facilities already here, for the people who already contribute to the village. Not every village needs/wants to be turned into rural spread. I moved here from Sheffield 20 years ago. The appeal was how lovely this area is. Why spoil it with unnecessary changes??’’
‘’ I oppose the Clowne Garden Village development, as I feel it is not sustainable and will exacerbate, not help resolve, existing issues within Clowne.’’
‘’ I paid a premium for my views, why should these be destroyed?’’
‘’ I really fail to understand why it is acceptable to use what was green belt land for industrial/ warehousing. The proposal is to site these in the worst possible place. The units will be right at the entrance to Clowne so a very obvious eyesore; will bring HGV traffic into the village; will cause nuisance e.g. noise and pollution to local residents. The proposed plan says that tree planting will be mostly to the north, east and west of the development - but it will be most needed to the south to mitigate to some extent these eyesores. It is not even clear that this industrial area is needed as things have changed since the Local Plan was finalised, not least HS2 and the Markham Vale development. Also the Local Plan says that there are plenty of warehouse employment opportunities in the District so it is doubtful that yet more are required, nor will they contribute to the Councils ambition to upskill.’’
‘’ I support all the objections you have raised.’’
‘’I think it's too large for the area, do we really need more industrial units when there are lots at Markham Vale? Also is another hotel needed? We should be being more self sufficient in food production, not building on farm land.’’
‘’ I think the money could be better spent, on improving the state of the roads, education & health services, & also improving parks/playgrounds for our children, & investing in additional activities for the older children, to help reduce anti-social behaviour.’’
‘’ I think the whole development is unnecessary and way too big. Our roads and services cannot cope with this planned development and it will ruin the village. The removal of trees, hedgerows and habitat is unacceptable and our wildlife should be protected. The lack of green space will ruin the aesthetic and The flooding risk in an area that already floods is ridiculous. I love living in Clowne but this development will ruin it.’’
‘’I think too many people are being too negative about it. Ironically some people who live in new build houses themselves. The reality is we need more housing. Full stop. We should be focussing in how to make it sustainable rather than trying to stop it.’’
‘’ I, and many other residents think its absolutely disgraceful that this planned development has even been considered. The vast amount of land it covers is ridiculous and for our precious green belt land to be given away so freely for, lets call it what it really is, greed is completely abhorrent. The developers seem to be great at throwing pretty pictures on how they plan a few areas to look without fully understanding the scale of the current situation such as traffic congestion, health services, education, pollution and the flooding in the area they with to destroy. The rain storm we had on Friday 20th October 2023 STILL hasn’t drained away. I live right next to Bumpmill ponds (Harlestorpe dam) and see the flood plain daily. The whole thing needs to be rejected on the grounds of lack of proper infrastructure and due to the sheer scale and size of it.’’
‘’I’m really concerned about the impact on the number of cars on the roads around Barlborough and Clowne. It’s already congested at peak times. My children walk to and from Heritage HS every day and I’m massively concerned for their safety. There are few safe places for them to cross the already extremely busy roads. We live on the links estate and often struggle to exit the estate at both the top and bottom roundabouts. The bottom roundabout (near Dobbies) is an accident waiting to happen. You can’t see cars coming down the hill and they don’t slow down on approaching the roundabout. This will only get worse with increased numbers of vehicles. I’m disappointed that greenbelt land has been approved for development. We will lose much of the wildlife that currently lives around us. The local infrastructure doesn’t support development on such a massive scale. It’s not only the housing development, but the industrial development too which will create constant traffic through the villages.’’
‘’ Ill conceived plan that purports to create jobs and infrastructure based on inaccurate data and outdated statistics. Judging by the condition of the roads, flooding risks and lack of public services for the current residents this cannot be sustained and should not be labelled as a garden village for mere convenience as per Understanding Garden Villages An Introductory Guide 2018.’’
‘’ In my opinion this development is far too large for a village (emerging town) as we are now called, the size of Clowne . The need for affordable housing I think , is generally acknowledged but the sheer scale proposed is detrimental to all facilities, transport networks and education providers.’’
‘’In October we witnessed what a bad down pour can do to the houses on Hickingwood lane and Station road regards flooding. This is without the rest of the entire area being covered in concrete. When it all goes ahead, Waystones should agree to be liable for ALL damage and danger caused by flooding in Clowne if they don't "Engineer" a solution to these problems before hand, including compensation for those affected. Waystones should also cover the cost of any down time, remedial works and environmental fines at the Severn Trent works on Hollin Hill if proven to be of a direct effect of the build. At present the main access roads into and around Clowne centre are at capacity and are dangerous for people to cross (Nag round about, North road, Station Road, Mansfield Road and out side the Angel to name a few). It's already difficult to get to get parked at Aldi on a Saturday as it is, so what will it be like with the extra demand?’’
‘’ In particular the need for another industrial estate and hotel. Markham Vale, Buttermilk Lane and Oxcroft Way industrial sites have plenty of vacant lots. Green spaces surely shouldn’t be developed for commercial purposes.’’
‘’Increase in pollution, environmental issues, disruption to the natural water courses. sewage, water and gas management.’’
‘’Infrastructure in Clowne is already over capacity, with increased traffic and shops such as Tesco and Aldi impossible to park in at peak times. There are no NHS dentist spaces for miles around and the Doctors is near impossible to get an appointment. Sheffield is the largest employer/education provider in the area, yet DCC cut the subsidy and it is now no longer a viable link for most people, who then turn to cars making traffic worse. I moved to Clowne 16 years ago for its community and village feel. As it gets busier, with people rat running in cars at speed down 20 mph roads, increased trouble and people moving here that aren't interested in the community, what Clowne had is quickly eroding away. If this development is approved, the situation will only be exacerbated and there is no doubt I will move away as a result.’’
‘Infrastructure is already above capacity. This issue should already be priority, but CGV is diverted attention and will only exacerbate a pre-existing issue’’
‘’ Infrastructure is already exceeding capacity.’’
‘’ It is difficult to decide on the 2 biggest concerns of if the list above. They are all of equal importance and hugely relevant in this proposal.’’
‘’ It is NOT 3000 extra cars for Clowne.... Our estate has 158 new houses, we did a survey when everyone moved in and 66 % came from the village already 27 % came from neighbouring areas such as Bolsover etc leaving only 7% New to the area that’s 11 out of 158 so only 22 new cars... not 316.. Also........ take our estate as a benchmark. I would estimate 99% work. We ( most of us ) do not burden the services, all of us pay high rates of council tax... walk around our estate and its never busy...... life has changed from 30 years ago... New estates bring new blood into tired villages trying to hold onto a past that is no longer there. ( Bolsover is a perfect example - held back change for years and almost became a ghost town ) Yes we need schools, yes we need services. But at the same time we also need nice, educated, hard working people to run them...... double edged sword...’’
‘’It is too big! There are not enough roads in and out as it is never mind having a few more, traffic will be horrendous, it will become a town not a village and that is NOT what the people of Clowne want. Having lived here my whole life and having much more to look ahead of, I think we need more public outdoor spaces and places for wildlife. The wildlife is sparse as it is and having this monstrosity will only make matters worse. It’s not just about the affordable housing, the whole of Clowne needs tidying up first and being made a priority. West Lea should be the main focus as it’s disgusting, build affordable housing on there help the people of Clowne don’t bring more unwanted attention to our lovely little village!’’
‘’It is unsustainable! There is going to be no infrastructure put in place until they build 400 high priced houses !!! So potentially at least 800 cars on the roads !!’’
‘’It’s hard enough at the minute to try and use the GPs. The local dentist are not taking NHS patients anymore. The village centre is always busy (which I know is good for the shops) but very limited parking (especially if doing a big shop that you can’t carry home in walking). My biggest concern is the schools. When my daughter was a juniors her class size was high. 44 in her class. Now she at Heritage and it’s been nothing but trouble. First Covid, then not enough teachers post Covid. Last year most of her GCSE subjects were taught by Subs (and wasn’t really taught much) and now this year she got approx. 6 months to do 18 month work now they have teachers before she sits her GVSEs. If the schools could cope before the new development god help them when it’s here. We have got such lovely open spaces and the Wildlife that makes it their home are wonderful. They have already built the Van Dkyes Village nd that spoilt some of our open space and more cars on an already busy road. The main crossroads in to Clowne and trying to get up/down north road at Rush hour in a morning and Evening is difficult. This is due to the amount of traffic and the cars parked on North road. At the moment station road is closed. I live on Creswell Road near the nursing home and Traffic has been backed up to here at times!!! One thing as well is I feel it’s going to spilt the village into them (the CGV) and us. I don’t think that the EDGE has really integrated into Clowne. We really don’t need ALL the new houses adding to an already struggling village (I know its technically not been a village for some years), we need money spent on the village as is to help improve the services that are already struggling.’’
‘’ It will fundamentally change Clowne. I am also concerned at the loss of Green spaces and the impact on the general infrastructure of the village.’’
‘’ It will not be 3,000 it will be 5,400 cars last census for BDC recorded 3 cars per household. Each vehicles will make 4 vehicle movements per day. That will mean 21, 600 vehicle movements per day and with associated vehicles going on to the estate delivery vehicles etc it could mean 25,000 vehicle movements in and around Clowne. Also when proposed industrial estate is built that could create another 10,000 vehicle movements a day. Don't just think cars think movements of vehicles.’’
‘’ It will ruin our lovely village putting pressure on all services, schools and roads. There have been lots of new housing put up recently in Clowne and at the Van Dyk village, some of these houses are empty as people can't afford them so why build more.’’
‘’It will ruin our village. I’ve sent my objections to BDC.’’
‘’It’s a total utter waste of time and money’’
‘’It’s very difficult to choose 2 of the above as they all cause concerns. The traffic along Mansfield Road into Clowne and through the village has increased dramatically. Schools are already overcrowded and locals are struggling to get a place for their children. 1,800 is a massive build and will have a major impact on all local services.’’
‘’ It's a complete farce. As a member and admin of the objection group against on Facebook and also a resident who will be living opposite the proposed "employment" land I do not want to be faced with massive empty units or 24 hour units. I can still hear the commotion from Amazon. I am also an avid photographer and wildlife conservationist and spend most of my free time feeding the wildlife in the woodlands on the development land. I have documented 100s of species some very rare. It needs to be stopped. While I appreciate the need for housing no one in the area will ever be able to afford the affordable housing let alone one of the more luxurious ones that are planned. Van dykes for example people are already selling up because of subsidence!!! I can't wait for this to go to planning so I can have my say at the meeting. They are shameful greedy people and the council are not much better for even considering such a development especially on Greenbelt land and them going off of plans submitted in 2017!!! Shameful’’
‘’It's a good idea! As long as we use all this energy to get better facilities rather than just fighting it I'd 100@% support it.’’
‘’ It's always been countryside round here and feel this will ruin it. There isn't enough to cope with the mass of traffic. The more people that will need, GP, Dentists, School just the area will become far too busy and just think it's ridiculous not to mention the loss of beautiful green countryside.’’
‘’ It's just not necessary for a place like Clowne’’
‘’ It's not a garden village, although it does sound very nice. It's a monstrosity built on agricultural land and ancient woodland.’’
‘’ It's not necessary. Will spoil the village beyond repair’’
‘’Living in Clowne all of my life, the 1 thing that I always liked about Clowne was that it wasn't too big of a village, we knew where all the roads where etc yet now its already bursting. Who on earth thinks, as a village, that we need any more houses or cars, the roads are so busy, with more cars flying through at ridiculous MPH. Our Schools are brimming at the seems, they're already taking on extra students and haven't extended any of the schools (mainly Infants and juniors and nursery). Nor can they have extra classes because not enough room, will need more teachers, etc etc...!! Not to mention parking for drop off or collection with no parking within school, means the roads are always so much more busy than they need to be, a high percentage will probably not walk to school, more pollution around school while engines are on, blocking of roads and peoples drives, emergency services definitely wouldn't be able to get through if needed because its horrific. If anyone within the Clowne area thinks this is ok they must just be seeing money, and not what’s right for local infrastructure, they need to be going to schools, seeing what they are like inside, and out, seeing the roads at school times and during the day. The green space is another big factor, a lot of people (including me and my family) love walking in the green spaces and make use of almost all the green spaces within Clowne, seeing the natural wildlife, which it's also having yet another major impact on. Again, who is this even for!!’’
‘’Local services like busses, GPs ,Schools can not cope now local busses are pretty much none existed and if you on the outer fringes of Clowne or other local villages its either walk miles or drive then there's nowhere to park, cars outside Schools are already both dangerous and a traffic flow nightmare and only a matter of time before a child is killed, no thoughts at all from planning as to how this impacts people’’
‘’Money makes up the minds of local councils, the houses will be built at the cost of the local community, infrastructure comes as an afterthought’’
‘’Need to stop destroying the countryside, more houses in pipeline in the area. This is too much.’’
‘’Not necessary especially not on greenbelt land. It's impossible to get a dentist at the moment and this development will make that worse. Waiting times for drs is horrendous already and don't even get me started on the ridiculous waiting times to see consultants on the NHS. All this will do is put more strain on the already too stretched infrastructure and NHS services in the area. No thank you.’’
‘’Not needed, don’t want it, already done our fair share of building and providing more housing. Time to give what was promised before a new care home, better road infrastructure, school and GPs etc.’’
‘’Nowhere I have seen has mentioned what will happen to Clowne's trig point on gapsick. I have visited over 200 trig point sites in the last two years and many are being lost to development. We're already flooding constantly on station/Creswell road, if what happened last month happens again that will cause even more people to be stuck as there'll be much more traffic. Can never get through calling the doctors, only have one midwife two days a week. Clowne juniors is too small now, what happens when there's even more people?’’
‘’Only that this should NOT be allowed to happen.’’
‘’Oppose to it. Living close to the proposed developments it will have a negative impact on local GPS, traffic, and schools either the over development. Absolutely a ridiculous proposal’’
‘’Our local systems and services such as education, health care, job opportunities etc. are already stretched to capacity. Adding any more stress and strain to these already struggling systems will only lead to more upset and distress for the community. I'm also troubled at the concept of such a drastic loss of green spaces which is the home of so many types of wildlife. Preservation of plant life and wildlife is something that should be higher on people's priorities. These issues (plus some which I have left unmentioned due to time constraints) of having such a large scale development in such a small area with densely populated wildlife and already struggling systems do not outweigh the positives in my opinion.’’
‘’Our roads and other parts of our infrastructure cannot cope with this development. It is beyond ridiculous to think you can increase the size of a village by around 60% like this. It is not a garden village as it does not meet most of the criteria. Developments of this size should be on the edge of large towns/cities that can cope with them or be new villages/towns in their own right. There is a school on the plan but it won't be a school as a building is not a school. Which MAT has committed to set up and run this new school? The whole proposal is an absolute joke.’’
‘’Our utilities cannot cope with existing g properties, we do not need more adding to issues we already have. Clowne is a "village" not a city. Please don't let our piece of heaven be turned into hell. !!!!’’
‘’Overdevelopment of an area which does not have the correct infrastructure to cope with its existing residents. Clowne has terrible roads burdened with too much traffic, areas flood regularly, overflowing GP surgery, families struggle for school spaces. This will only worsen with the development. Clowne does however have great walks and greenspace with lots of wildlife which needs protecting. With this development this will be decimated.’’
‘’Placing industrial warehouses within a stones throw of existing houses is just unfair. People bought houses for their location and will now find themselves surrounded by warehouses and HGVS. In particular those houses by Harlesthorpe Dam’’
‘’Plans look nice and will improve Clowne’’
‘’ Plenty which I have already forwarded to BDC. Have only ticked 2 of above as requested but agree with all the concerns above.’’
‘’Roads are clogged with traffic on North road and Barlborough road nearly all the time its gridlock at times if all these proposed house have 2 cars it will be in bearable’’
‘’Roads, public transport, local healthcare and education is already past capacity and an additional 1800 homes is completely unsustainable and will severely affect current residents including the loss of green spaces for leisure’’
‘’Strongly oppose the whole idea as its not been thought out at all’’
‘’ The application is premature on planning grounds.’’
‘’ The area is big enough as it is it won’t be able to cope with the extra cars etc traffic in around there is already congested’’
‘’ The areas roads aren’t capable with the traffic we have now, try driving past Barlborough hospital when the businesses on the industrial estate are leaving work. We cant get appointments at doctors now for weeks and we don’t have enough schools to cope. The loss of green space is a tragedy and the wild life will never return. During Covid lock down our villages were wonderful places to walk with practically no transport, the birds singing, less pollution and now were back to normal walking is dangerous as drivers seem to speed up to stop you from crossing roads and now this to increase overcrowded roads with more traffic and pollution!!!’’
‘’The infrastructure in Clowne, Barlborough and surrounding areas cannot withstand this size development. The impact on local services, GPs, Dentists, Emergency services and schools to name a few are overstretched as it is with some children having to travel to other areas for school already which is shameful and in some cases means they are detached from their friends which in turn has an effect on their mental health and well being. In addition, there appears to be no transparency from the developers or BDC which is very concerning with many Clowne and other local residents still not fully aware of the impact of this monstrosity particularly as a lot of green belt agricultural land is being swallowed up and very likely to be turned into a concrete jungle. Its such a shame that the green space and wildlife that we all enjoy is in the hands of such devious individuals! ‘’
‘’ The infrastructure needs upgrading including roads, public transport, schools, GPs and supermarkets etc.’’
‘’ The infrastructure will be over-powered. No thought has been given to the people and services of this village, just build, build build. Profit over people.’’
‘’ The length of time it will take to complete. We residents will be living next to a massive building site for 10s of years with all the construction traffic to deal with too. The dust and noise will be detrimental to health and well being. How can residents near by enjoy their summers in their own garden whilst this is getting built?’’
‘’ The local school's are full. Where will children go to school if this goes ahead?’’
‘’ The loss of all the fields and some woodland, there will soon be no fields left’’
‘’ The other point we would like to make is that if the development goes ahead and the people who buy the houses expect to register with the GP services in Clowne, then is it not beyond the realms of expectation that the people who live in Creswell, Whitwell and Barlborough who are also registered with Clowne surgery, that they register for health services in their own village, thus relieving pressure on Clowne doctors.’’
‘’The pressure on the village is at its maximum. The fundamental services health and education will be detrimentally affected. The traffic is horrendous now and since the recent housing in Clowne nothing has yet been done to ease this. I totally oppose this build!’’
‘’ The proposed development will have an adverse effect on every aspect of pollution (particularly air and noise pollution) due to the increased road traffic. There will be significant road safety issues unless drastic traffic calming measures are implemented.’’
‘’ The recent flooding on the proposed site really needs to be taken into consideration.’’
‘’ The road network couldn’t cope with the additional vehicles’’
‘’ The road system is not good another to cope’’
‘’ The roads are already ridiculously busy and cars parked all over the place spilling out of the industrial estate without adding to it. Takes longer to get out of Barlborough in a morning than it does to get to Sheffield. Not to mention an extra 1800 homes will increase the pressure on already poor medical and educational provision. I'm all for development but let's development what we've got first before adding to the problem.’’
‘’ The roads are not suitable’’
‘’ The roads through Clowne will not be able to cope with the additional traffic. Traffic and parking issues are already a problem throughout Clowne. It is a very busy village. There also aren’t enough amenities to support this expansion ‘’
‘’The scale is just too big unless the infrastructure is in place before it becomes a problem which it wont’’
‘’ The scheme should be net zero and have a positive environmental impact. The existing North Road should be widened by buying up the row of terraces and re-housing residents in the new development. This is like happened in Pleasley. ‘’
‘’ The school traffic at Clowne infants and juniors is really bad. Adding to this must be a health and safety concern’’
‘’ The threshold stages of the development are too late - facilities and infrastructure needs to be upgraded in in advance of the buildings.’’
‘’ The village is congested enough it can’t take anymore traffic on that scale’’
‘’The whole thing is ill a thought out and lacks any sort of understanding of the local road network or care, it lacks thought for protecting the environment and green spaces. It has no consideration for the services which are already at breaking point. People sat in ivory towers making a plan for the local area which is at odds with what they need and want. Why not purchase some land and build a separate garden village (like welyn) and make it completely independent and self sustained and green instead of adding onto a village which can’t cope.’’
‘’The wrong development in the wrong place. It isn’t needed or wanted and I have seen no substantive evidence that indicates otherwise. I have no confidence in BDC ability to assess this application purely on its merits both politically and professionally. This development will destroy this community.’’
‘’ There are not enough services (dentist, doctors or shops) to sustain more housing around Clowne. Clowne should remain the village atmosphere it has, more houses will ruin it.’’
‘’There are thousand of businesses closing in city centres. These properties should be developed’’
‘’ There has already been a lot of development in the Clowne area, so these 1800 properties are over and above the hundreds already recently built. The area is over 100 years old and the infrastructure , including the sewage works cannot cope with any more building.’’
‘’ There is already a large amount of brown belt sites that have been zoned for business/ industrial/ warehouse around Staveley, Barrowhill, Markham Vale and Duckmanton. All of which have existing direct links to the M1 that do not go through domestic habitation areas, unlike the proposed Garden Village development on green belt land’’
‘’There is no infrastructure to support 1800 houses’’
‘’ There is nothing garden or village about this huge housing estate. It is way too big and will only have a detrimental affect on the area including the small roads around and in Clowne itself.’’
‘’ This development is a totally unnecessary increase in housing in an area that has already had large recent developments. The current infrastructure is struggling and will be decimated by 1800 more homes! It has no thought for current residents and the developer and BDC are simply trying to make money. It should be stopped in its entirety. If this goes ahead the VILLAGE of Clowne will be destroyed and I personally will be moving ‘’
‘’This development is the biggest threat to the character of Clowne in its history. It will concrete over large swathes of countryside without benefitting the people of Clowne. It must be stopped. The roads and infrastructure of Clowne cannot cope.’’
‘’ This is a key development that is convenient to attract people who work in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Worksop. We should be excited to attract people to live in our beautiful corner of the world, not shutting down developments while two-facedly supporting house building - the burden cannot always be someone else’s and Clowne has a lot to offer!’’
‘’ This is an oversized development that the existing road network / schools / healthcare services will be unable to cope with. The developer has a very poor track record as the unfulfilled and scaled back commitments with the Barlborough Links development show. Bolsover District Council appear to be showing minimal concern to the views of the people living in Clowne and Barlborough.’’
‘’ This development not only impacts on Clowne and Barlborough but also the surrounding villages who use the infrastructure that is already available in Clowne, shops, schools, dentist, doctors etc. it could meant that our children would not be offered a place at Heritage High School due to over subscription. The unsightly work units they propose to build on the entrance to a rural village will blight the landscape forever making Clowne look uninviting. As the mortgage rates don’t appear to be dropping we only have to look at the recent new builds in our area to see that most of the properties for sale on Rightmove are new builds that are either too expensive for our area or once the owners 2 year mortgage deal has expired they can no longer afford to live there. Local people cannot afford these homes and even affordable housing is beyond the means of most locals. The loss of green space is diabolical and the flooding that will be increased by building here will impact all of us. I always thought a Garden Village was somewhere on its own with beautiful surroundings not something that will bridge the land between 2 existing villages. Surely the new estates that have been built in the last few years cover the local plan for our area. These have been kept smaller and have added nice little pockets of communities to the existing villages. As someone who uses the Greenway for exercise, visiting family and getting out into the fresh air I find the proposal that we would have to get off at Station Road, cross a road and then re-join the Greenway this defeats the whole idea of what the Greenway is. I sincerely hope that this development does not go ahead as just thinking about all the implications makes my blood boil.’’
‘’This not only impacts Clowne and Barlborough. I live in Creswell and the impact on the places in heritage high school will hit both us Whitwell and Hodthorpe. My grandson lives in Clowne but had to wait 3 years for a place at the local school he didn’t get a place till he reached year 3 ! The proposal doesn’t take into account all the estates and housing built since 2017 impacting on roads, environment and the lack of infrastructure to cope with what we have already got. There is a distinct lack of affordable housing in the area and of affordable rentals, not everyone on benefits are scrounges but the rents that are asked are out of single working parents reach. There are still so many of the new homes not sold as they are above most peoples budgets just look on Rightmove. The cost of living crisis has also resulted in newly bought homes being put on the market once their initial mortgage deal has expired. The visual impact of entering Clowne will be awful with massive industrial units the introduction to the village. This estate is probably going to be where the people living there commute to their jobs adding to pollution and congestion on the roads at peak times. There was initially a proposal to include the allotments on Hickingwood Lane, I’m not sure if this is still their plan but this place gives local people the ability to grow their own, interact with like minded people and help with mental health. Hopefully this place will stay where it is Regardless of which political party we support it’s evident that the local community are against this development in any form’’
‘’ This proposal is just too big. The road infrastructure would never cope and there would be intolerable pressure on services i.e.. education, health, sewage. The application is being supported by out of date data, especially in respect of traffic, as noted in the survey commissioned by Barlborough PC. The negative impact on our environment, wildlife and green spaces would severely impact on the wellbeing and health of residents.’’
‘’ This will do nothing to improve Clowne. We are building houses for Sheffield, Doncaster and Mansfield. How many local people have actually purchased houses on previous new developments’’
‘’ To enable that scale of build more local facilities would be need for GP, dental & education spaces.’’
‘’ Totally against as it will take the village out of Clowne, plus the extra cars on the roads will be a nightmare especially when motorway closed or bad floods, not to mention the likelihood of even more potholes. Housing is never affordable with stupid prices like the van Dyk village. Where are we protecting our wildlife in these plans, were not! The village already struggle to get an appointment to see a GP, with more people means even less chance. Our schools are already full. I’m all for change but positive change that doesn’t impact on the village further’’
‘’ Traffic through the Treble Bob roundabout is already extremely heavy. It is very difficult to cross the roads even at quieter times. With new housings off Chesterfield Road there has been traffic & footfall increase, especially at school times. There is no safe crossing in the area around the roundabout at all.’’
‘’ We are a village. Exactly that. This is going to make us a town.so why call it garden village. Our residents don’t need or want this .look after the people already here before you bring in more.’’
‘’ We don't need anymore housing estates popping up. Our roads are crumbling as it is . The traffic is crazy already without adding more pressure.’’
‘’ We haven't got sufficient infrastructure for Clowne at present. Clowne has already doubled in size since we came here over 40 years ago. Traffic is already a nightmare. We will be loosing a large amount of green belt land which will come at a cost to wildlife and environmental issues. The proposal will be of no benefit to current residents and cannot see any benefit of employment as the proposal is to move existing businesses from the existing industrial units.’’
‘’ We loose the green spaces and they don't even put in cycle paths and parks. That's not progress. They don't even put solar panels on new houses as standard so this is nothing but bad for the environment. There's already way too many industrial units in the area. The road network won't cope and Clowne residents will suffer the consequences of all the car emissions as traffic is stuck coming through Clowne from every direction.’’
‘’ We should redevelopment areas which are run down where the houses and structures, drainage systems are already in place. Just look around you. Stop using the green belt and other woodland areas.’’
‘’ We still have a village infrastructure and most people know how old Clowne was .Enough changes have taken place .’’
‘’When we have built on so much agricultural land, where are we going to grow our food so as not to be dependent on countries that will then hold us to random. Concerned about the dam bursting under the added pressure.’’
‘’ Whilst all are relevant, the hard surfacing of this area will have a dramatic effect on the drainage systems, both foul and surface, what does Severn Trent say? At present all fields from Whitwell to Barlborough are waterlogged, where would all the new run off from the development go, a simple speculation test would demonstrate that currently the ground can take no more. A planning condition of speculation tests taken after heavy rainfall and local flooding g would prove this, but the developers will o doubt manipulate their data.’’
‘’ Why do we keep on building on green belt land.’’
‘’ With the development of industrial land at Markham Vale and Coalite sites Is there any need for more between Barlborough and Clowne?’’
‘’ Yes it is not needed, it will not benefit Clowne, you have not consulted people whose land will be affected. There are plenty of people living in Clowne who need affordable housing which it would not help them. As you can garages starting price will be £250k for a small 2 bed. Clowne floods bad as it is, WHY WHY WHY ? Do we need more flooding of houses for people. The wildlife would be affected. I thought the agreement with way stone was they would leave the land alone after the houses in Barlborough. The amount of times cars have hit my wall in the last 6 months is unbelievable and driven off. Artic lorry’s already coming down station road, which shouldn’t as not suitable. People will loose there businesses, I don’t want to live in a motorway roundabout, which will happen if goes ahead.’’
‘’No I definitely appose this plan. Far too many houses. Disgusting’’
‘’ Yes our wildlife would no longer exist. Deer’s owls hawks to name a few these have been around for years I used to see them regularly early morning during riding over 50 years ago and they are fortunately still here, if this so called Garden village gets passed these beautiful animals will have no where to go make me so angry. The roads and local amenities are already stretched more than they can cope with.’’