Council announces intention to sell land at Hogshaw

High Peak Borough Council is planning on selling land around Hogshaw in Buxton to a housing developer.

The proposed sale of the land for new homes, play facilities and open space would include Hogshaw Rec and the old tip, but would not include the allotments at Nunsfield Road, which will remain under council ownership.

The site was identified for housing development in the borough council's Local Plan, which was approved back in 2016, and has now been made part of the council's 'Accelerated Housing Delivery Programme'. 

An online petition against the move has sprung up and already been signed by over 2,000 local people.

The borough council is now asking people to comment on its intention to sell the land. 

Council Leader, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: “In 2018 the previous administration of the Council was successful in gaining funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. This funding intends to open up sites at Hogshaw to the north of the A6 and Granby Road to the south by building a new roundabout and access roads.

“To secure this funding, in line with the housing numbers in the Local Plan and targets within the funding bid to Government, the Council has to enable the building of new housing at these sites. To put these proposals into action, the Council is now consulting people on its intention to sell this land to meet these requirements.

“If approved the land sale will be conditional on the submission of a planning application which must include information on suitable replacement open space and play facilities. Any application would also need to deal with the remediation of contaminated land at the Rec and drainage and flooding issues.

“I understand people will have comments about the proposed sale and you can share your views by completing a short online form on our website or by emailing or writing to the Council.”

High Peak MP Robert Largan commented: “I know that many local people are concerned about these proposals, particularly the loss of Hogshaw Rec and the impact that this would have on local wildlife and biodiversity.

“I am very concerned about the scale of housebuilding in Buxton and the pressure this is putting on our infrastructure and public services.

“There are already significant traffic problems on Fairfield Road and further along the A6 corridor. This is only going to get worse as more and more houses are built in Buxton.

“I would strongly encourage you to respond to the consultation and make your views known. Please copy me into your response via email mail@robertlargan.co.uk.”

More information and a map showing the land proposed for sale can be found at https://www.highpeak.gov.uk/LandHogshaw, where people can also complete the short form. 

Alternatively, people can email asset.management@highpeak.gov.uk or write to: Hogshaw Disposal Consultation, Asset Management, Buxton Town, Hall, Market Place, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6EL including your contact details, whether you support or object to the proposed sale and any other comments.

Responses should be sent by no later than Friday 26 February.

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper