The Chesterfield Council Planning Committee met on 18 August 2025, and approved plans for a 96-bed care home, as well as extensions to a property on Brockwell Lane. Councillors also noted a report on planning appeals, and a list of applications determined by the Development Management and Conservation Manager.

Care Home on Ulverston Road

The committee approved an application for the development of a 96-bed care home on Ulverston Road for Waterlily (Chesterfield) Limited, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure a financial contribution of £6325 towards the travel plan monitoring fee. The Development Management and Conservation Manager presented the report, noting that a condition needed removing due to duplication.

One local resident, Helen Woodmancy, addressed the committee to object to the proposal, and Carolyn Mace spoke on behalf of the applicant.

The planning application had received two representations, one broadly supportive, and one objecting to the proposal. Issues raised included:

• The footprint, scale and massing of the development
• Traffic, access and parking
• Noise
• Ecology and biodiversity net gain[^1]
• Lighting
• Construction
• Planning policy
• Need for the development

The applicant's agent responded to these concerns, stating that the scheme had been subject to pre-application engagement with the council, and that the design and access statement considered the constraints and opportunities of the site.

The agent stated that the scale of the development was a function of delivering modern, high-quality care accommodation that meets minimum space standards, accessibility requirements and includes necessary support services, all of which are defined by the Care Quality Commission.

The agent also stated that the site is previously developed land, and that the proposal includes a comprehensive landscaping scheme that will enhance biodiversity on-site and introduce high-quality green infrastructure, in line with Local Plan policies CLP15 and CLP16.

With regards to traffic, the agent stated that the submission was supported by a travel plan which was informed by comparable operational data, and that care homes typically generate lower traffic volumes than other residential or commercial uses, due to shift patterns and there being no vehicle ownership among residents.

The agent also stated that external lighting will be designed in accordance with best practice, using downward-facing, low-spill LED luminaires, and that details on the construction methodology, timescales and mitigation measures will be set out within a detailed Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

The agent highlighted policies CLP3 and CLP4, which they said support a diverse housing mix, including for vulnerable and elderly residents, CLP6 and CLP20, which they said support economic growth and high-quality design, and CLP22, which they said promotes sustainable travel, which the proposal actively incorporates.

The agent said that the 96-bed provision meets identified needs for modern, high-dependency care, particularly in light of an ageing population and evolving expectations around facility quality.

City Farm, Unnamed Road From Dark Lane To City Farm

The committee determined that, had an appeal not been lodged, the council as Local Planning Authority would have refused an application for redevelopment to provide one single-storey dwelling at City Farm, Unnamed Road From Dark Lane To City Farm, for Mr and Mrs C Franczak.

The Development Management and Conservation Manager presented the report, explaining that a previous application for the erection of two detached dwellings and garages had been refused, and the appeal dismissed. The officer's recommendation was to refuse this application for the erection of a single storey, two bedroom detached dwelling, advising that this remained largely the same as the previous dismissed appeal and that the application is within the identified Strategic Gap² and that the council as Local Planning Authority would have refused the planning application for the reasons outlined in the officer's report. The council received 41 representations, including 26 letters of objection, 14 letters of support and one neutral response.

Two-Storey Extensions at 43 Brockwell Lane

The committee approved an application for two-storey extensions to the front and rear of the property and the construction of a garage at 43 Brockwell Lane for Mr & Mrs Schofield.

The Development Management and Conservation Manager presented the report, explaining that no objections had been received, and the proposed development was considered to sufficiently reflect the architectural characteristics and form of the existing dwelling and surrounding development.

Other Matters

The committee also:

• Noted a report of applications for planning permission determined by the Development Management and Conservation Manager.
• Noted an appeals report.
• Agreed to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
• Noted an enforcement report.
• Approved officer recommendations relating to the condition of land at two properties.