The Chesterfield Council Planning Committee met on 29 September 2025, and approved a local enforcement plan, and two planning applications, one for an extension to a house on Newbold Avenue, and another for outline permission to build up to two dwellings on Spital Lane. The committee also noted a report on planning appeals, and a list of applications determined by the Development Management and Conservation Manager under delegated powers.

Local Enforcement Plan

The committee approved the adoption of a Local Enforcement Plan and agreed that it should be published on the council's website. The plan sets out how the council will deal with breaches of planning control. It notes that the council aims to work with those who carry out breaches to resolve matters without taking formal action wherever possible, but also sets out the tools available to the authority in seeking formal action.

The plan also sets out a priority ranking of cases to ensure resources are focused on the most serious cases:

• Priority 1 (Red): Public danger or significant works involving damage to listed buildings or to protected trees.
• Priority 2 (Orange): Complaints relating to loss of amenity or other significant public or private impact (including those covered by conditions of consent and/or in regard to ongoing developments), e.g. noise and smell nuisance.
• Priority 3 (Pink): Complaints relating to minor developments or domestic disputes, e.g. fences, sheds, extensions, satellite dishes, vehicular access etc unless they relate to serious amenity issues or public safety
• Priority 4 (Blue): Proactive checking and following up conditions applied to planning permissions granted.

Planning Application: 20 Newbold Avenue, Newbold

The committee approved planning permission for a one and two-storey side and rear extension, alterations to the dwelling and demolition of an existing garage at 20 Newbold Avenue. The application, reference CHE/25/00486/HOU, was amended to address concerns regarding the impacts of the proposal, in particular reducing the depth of the extension on the elevation facing number 22A.

During the meeting, the Principal Planner shared photos of the shared side elevations, including the windows on the front and side elevation of number 22A that benefitted from the depth reduction and were closest to the new side extension. The Principal Planner said they were satisfied with the amendments noted and the reduced effect the amended design would have on the amount of daylight to number 22A and recommended that the application be approved.

Late comments from a neighbour's solicitor regarding a home-based business and a further letter from a Right to Light Consultant were summarised by the Principal Planner, as were two further letters from the applicant's solicitor. The Principal Planner stated that the content of the letters did not alter the officer recommendation.

Ms Nicola Draper, an objector, and Ms Leigh Hampsey, the applicant, addressed the meeting. Ryan Beedham, another applicant, attended with Ms Hampsey but did not speak, though he did assist with answering questions from councillors.

The committee noted the reduced distance between the two properties, that number 20 was larger after being extended but was not overly intrusive, and that loss of light was an issue raised by the owner of 22A, but they accepted that amendments made to the plans had improved the design, the high-level front window was now further from the extension and the main lounge front window was clear.

Councillor Kate Caulfield moved that the officer recommendation to approve the application be upheld, and Councillor K Falconer seconded the motion. The committee voted to approve the application subject to the conditions outlined in the officer's report.

Planning Application: Land to the West Of 271 Spital Lane, Spital

The committee approved an outline application for up to two dwellings at Land to the West Of 271 Spital Lane, reference CHE/24/00155/OUT. The Development Management and Conservation Manager explained that the application was submitted with all matters reserved but initially with a differing description of development. There had been ongoing discussions with the applicant to address concerns arising from the application, particularly in regard to access and level changes, which had now resulted in a revised indicative proposal of outline permission for up to two dwellings, with all matters reserved.

The Development Management and Conservation Manager shared photos showing the land edged in blue and red and explained that the level changes had been taken into account. Highways had no objections subject to conditions at the reserved matters stage.

Mrs Yvonne Harris, the applicant, addressed the meeting.

The committee asked the Development Management and Conservation Manager to explain the objections received, which mainly concerned the site boundary gradient and the need for a 'drive in' which would be dealt with in conditions. Concerns around raised levels and the works required would be considered in more detail at the reserved matters stage. There may be a loss of landscaping across the boundary, but this would not amount to a refusal on the impact of the street scene. The water course would be outside of the application site, and it was noted that this application would be in flood zone 1¹.

Councillor Martin Stone moved that the officer recommendation to approve the application be upheld, and Councillor Leslie Thompson seconded the motion. The committee voted to approve the application subject to the conditions outlined in the officer's report.

Other Matters

The committee also:

• Noted a report, reference P000, on the current position in respect of appeals which had been received, with a verbal update from the Development Management and Conservation Manager on the position of the appeals since the publication of the report.
• Noted a list of applications, reference P140D, determined by the Development Management and Conservation Manager under delegated authority.