The Council has shown interest in plans for a proposed settlement, submitted by developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG), which included initial discussion for a development of between 1,000 to 3,000 new homes on a 250 acre site.
CEG, together with the Banks Group, submitted plans for up to 300 homes and 30 hectares of employment land at Cinderhill, but changing economic conditions now mean that these plans are unlikely to come to fruition in line with the form and scale previously proposed, the Council said.
A 'new settlement' could be described as "a self contained, self sustaining settlement that would be of a scale that could largely accommodate its own services, employment, education facilities and other infrastructure", the Council said.
"It's important, at this early stage, to get the views of as many people as possible about the prospect of a new local settlement at Denby," said Councillor Stephen Hayes. "It is vital to stress that, at present, this is an option, which is part of our continued series of consultations regarding potential strategic locations currently being considered as part of the Core Strategy".
The consultation is aimed at heightening awareness of the proposals, but also to highlight the challenges the development could face. The development could detract from the setting of the Grade II listed Park Hall, could place unwanted stress on the local transport network, put trees at risk and pose a risk to the overall landscape and areas of nature conservation.
On the other hand, the development could ease the need to identify sites for new homes on the edge of towns such as Belper and Ripley, as well as on the outskirts of Derby, the council said. However, it could also highlight the need to consider development on land beyond the area currently allocated for development in the Local Plan.
A six-week consultation period to allow people to view and comment on the proposals will take place from Friday 10 February to Friday 23 March.
