A councillor said the area already suffers huge traffic problems
04:00, 16 Dec 2025Updated 10:25, 16 Dec 2025
There are serious concerns over traffic problems in Mickleover with thousands of new homes built(Image: Derbyshire Live)
Almost 100 homes have been given the go-ahead at a busy Derby suburb despite claims it has become ‘the size of a town’ and cannot cope with traffic.
Controversial proposals to build 96 new homes on land next to The Hollow, off the A38, were approved at a planning meeting – with planning permission granted via just a single vote.
Derby City Council officers had recommended approval prior to the passionate meeting partly based on the need for new homes in the city.
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However, speakers before the vote took place raised serious fears over transport and traffic.
One resident claimed the nearest bus stop to the Wheeldon Brothers-led development would be a nine-minute walk for those living there.
And councillor Alison Holmes said at the meeting that “thousands” of new homes had been built in Mickleover over the years – resulting in huge traffic problems for the area.
She said: “Mickleover is now the size of a town still with village roads and infrastructure.
“Many residents have significant parking issues outside their homes and many can’t cross the road safely.
“Everywhere is totally overwhelmed.”
A representative for developer Wheeldon Brothers told the meeting that the firm could be ready to start work on site sometime in 2026 if the plans went ahead.
He said: “The city’s housing supply remains critically short. It (the development) will provide excellent family homes including 29 affordable homes.”
96 new homes are to be built on land off The Hollow next to the A38(Image: Wheeldon Homes)
There was also significant dispute on whether the site should be allowed to be built on green wedge land. Green wedge is a term given to large areas of green space in the city which separate different suburbs of the city.
Councillors called the green wedge “precious” and of “high value”. But a Green Wedge Review published weeks before the meeting stated the land “makes a limited contribution to the urban structure, in this part of the city” and therefore it could be open for development .
The representative for the Wheeldon Brothers added: “This is not open strategic countryside. It is an enclosed privately-owned land which has limited public access beyond the public right of way on the northern side.
“Through this application the character and purpose of the wedge are not only retained but are enhanced and made usable through a three-metre wide pedestrian and cycleway linking into the wider green infrastructure.”
Members of Derby City Council’s planning committee then expressed contrasting views.
Councillor Matthew Holmes raised fears that the access junction would have a “permanent blind spot” for motorists and that the cumulative impact over transport and infrastructure was “severe”.
He said: “(The thousands of new homes) have added thousands of extra vehicles to local roads. That is the reality. It isn’t fantasy, we see it every single day.”
Littleover councillor Lucy Care also raised concerns, saying the site was not suitable and the nearest school to it was already at “full capacity”.
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But others said it should be approved after it was told almost 9,000 people were on the waiting list seeking affordable accommodation in Derby alone.
Councillor Sara Bolton said: “In my view this site is suitable for redevelopment. We know those homes are needed.
Chaddesden councillor Martin Rawson added: “We don’t have a five year housing supply – that puts the council in a difficult position. On policy grounds there is no reason to reject the application.”
Councillor Matthew Holmes proposed a motion to reject the application but this was lost by five votes to four.
A second and final vote to approve the plans as outlined in the council officers’ recommendation was then won by five votes to four.
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