Hundreds object to homes on Shrovetide Football site

Hundreds of objections have been made over plans to build up to 250 homes on land historically used during the Royal Shrovetide Football game in Derbyshire.

Hallam Land Management (HLM) wants to build the properties on fields off The Green Road in Ashbourne. The developer has also tabled a near identical application, albeit a smaller scale, in the same area for 175 homes.

More than 670 residents have now signed a petition objecting to the scheme and urging Derbyshire Dales District Council to reject the proposal.

Brett O'Connell, who organised the petition, said: "There's a lot of anger and a feeling of despair."

The development, if approved, would also see the demolition of 120 The Green Road to provide road access to the new homes.

The site itself is 14.52 hectares (35 acres) and is made up of pastoral farmland comprising a series of fields separated by hedgerows and trees.

The southern section of the development bordering Henmore Brook would be used as open space.

Developers said the homes fall under Derbyshire Dales District Council's Local Plan, but the site lies partially inside and outside the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan.

The petition of 671 signatures has now been submitted to the council.

Opponents have argued the development would "significantly increase traffic" on The Green Road and surrounding roads and lead to "higher pollution levels due to hundreds of additional vehicle movements".

Others added it would create "greater road safety risks", particularly for pupils attending nearby Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

Many objectors also said it would disrupt the historic Royal Shrovetide Football game by reducing playing space and creating access issues towards the Sturston Goal.

The game, which began in the 12th Century, sees two teams - the Up'Ards and Down'Ards - compete to move a ball to opposite ends of Ashbourne.

O'Connell said: "The site cuts straight across where the Royal Shrovetide game goes.

"We feel it would become an issue and the developers are aware of this by keeping a portion as open space.

"But the game doesn't stick to planned routes so I think there'll be quite a few people if they move in, they'll be quite shocked about what happens on the day."

O'Connell added he was "not anti-development" but said there were other brownfield areas in Ashbourne better suited to housing.

A spokesperson for HLM said: "The framework for development that these proposals establish will achieve a locally distinctive design with high quality placemaking principles at its heart, delivering a sensitively designed residential addition to Ashbourne.

"This statement demonstrates that the various constraints and opportunities of the site have been carefully considered."

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