£13 million Derbyshire 'road to nowhere' to become new homes site after four years

Plans from Homes by Honey filed to South Derbyshire District Council would involve 184 houses being built off the eastern side of the Swadlincote to Woodville regeneration route (often referred to as a bypass).

Overall approval was granted for 300 homes, a supermarket, restaurants, pub, offices and warehouses on the former coal and clay works in 2019 and this application seeks to secure the final details of most of those houses.

Last year, the council gave final approval for a further 70 of the homes to be built off Moira Road, with no other parts of the overall masterplan yet to come forward six years later.

This comes four years after the £13.4 million regeneration route was completed in December 2021, with the route solely acting as road surrounded by industrial units through derelict brownfield land for that four-year period.

During this time it has been referred to as a “road to nowhere” and a “ghost road”, with residents using the more commonly travelled Swadlincote Road or Moira Road to the Clock Garage roundabout instead.

Now Homes by Honey is seeking approval for 184 homes on a 20-acre section of the overall site, utilising both of the new but currently unused roundabouts on the route.

Plans submitted by the developer detail that all homes will have solar panels and electric vehicle charging connections.

The firm details that most homes will be two storeys tall, with some 2.5 storey properties, while most will be built out of red bricks, but some to be completed with white rendering.

There will not be any properties badged as affordable housing through an agreement made in 2019 due to the cost of developing the brownfield site.

It writes: “The proposed development at Kiln Way, Woodville represents the delivery of a high quality, sustainable residential neighbourhood that responds positively to its setting, planning context, and the design principles established through the approved hybrid planning permission.

“The resulting proposals demonstrate a well considered and deliverable design, creating a safe, inclusive, and attractive place to live that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings. “The Kiln Way development will make a positive contribution to the growth of Woodville, providing much needed housing within a sustainable, well connected, and environmentally responsible community.”

A decision will be made by the council in the next few months.