Planning & Design Practice is pleased to announce that planning permission has been granted for the demolition of an existing dwelling, allowing the construction of 7 high-quality new homes in Wirksworth, Derbyshire Dales for our client Elmhurst Homes.
Following constructive pre-application discussions and collaboration with Officers, a recommendation of approval was put forward. After a productive debate at Derbyshire Dales Planning Committee, Members resolved to approve the application, recognising the proposal’s compliance with local planning policies and its contribution to meeting pressing housing needs.
The development will provide an appropriate mix of homes for the town, comprising:
- 1 no. 1.5 storey, 3 bedroom dwelling; and
- 6 no. 2-storey, 4 bedroom dwellings
A Site-Specific, High-Quality Design Approach
The proposed scheme has been sensitively designed to respond to the character and heritage of Wirksworth, drawing inspiration from the local setting and using a carefully selected palette of brick, tile, and render. The houses will feature thoughtful architectural details such as stepped plinth courses, quality glazing, and brick detailing at windows, eaves, and ridge lines. Developed by a local developer with a strong commitment to high-quality, bespoke design, this scheme avoids a “mass house-builder” feel and instead provides a contemporary but locally sympathetic development.
The masterplan enhances the street scene along Summer Lane, introducing a newly landscaped entrance and retaining mature trees and hedgerows wherever possible. Extensive native planting along the southern boundary will ensure a soft and attractive edge to the site. A smaller 1.5-storey dwelling was deliberately introduced on a corner plot to improve the visual transition into the development.
A Sustainable, Climate-Resilient Development
The site’s highly sustainable location — within walking distance of Wirksworth town centre and close to public transport links — will encourage active travel choices. Each home will incorporate a range of energy-efficient measures, including:
- Air source heat pumps,
- EV charging points,
- Double-glazed windows,
- Low-energy lighting, and
- Highly insulated building fabric.
Surface water drainage will be carefully managed to ensure no increase in runoff, while biodiversity net gain will be secured through off-site enhancements. The scheme actively supports Derbyshire Dales’ climate emergency objectives and aligns with the Council’s Climate Change SPD.
Meeting the District’s Urgent Housing Needs
With Derbyshire Dales currently experiencing a significant shortfall in its five-year housing land supply (just 3.49 years at the time of application), this development will make a valuable contribution towards the district’s housing targets. The project addresses the local need for family housing, as identified in the Wirksworth Neighbourhood Plan (Policy NP4), by providing all homes with three or more bedrooms.
Respecting Existing Features and Neighbours
Careful design and layout ensure that neighbouring amenities are protected, with sufficient distances and orientation to avoid issues of privacy, overlooking, or overshadowing. Mature trees around the site will be largely retained, with any losses compensated through native replacement planting. An arboricultural survey confirmed that a TPO-protected ash tree exhibiting symptoms of Ash Dieback will not constrain the development.
Positive Economic and Social Impacts
Beyond providing new housing, the project will generate economic benefits through construction activity, new local spending, and contributions to local services via increased Council Tax revenue. New households will help sustain and invigorate the local community, ensuring Wirksworth remains a thriving and vibrant market town.
Our Director, and Chartered Town Planner Richard Pigott attended the planning committee at Derbyshire Dales District Council, presenting the members of the council with the benefits of the scheme and the successful, compelling argument that it would provide much needed family housing in Wirksworth.
We are proud to have supported Elmhurst Homes in achieving consent for this high-quality, sustainable development and look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.
Developing the Potential
At Planning & Design Practice, we work with developers of all sizes. From small companies working on one property at a time to large housebuilders and commercial organisations where multi-million pound schemes are the norm. Our team of property development architects and planning consultants can support you from initial design to completion.
We think innovatively and a collaborative approach is at the heart of what we do. We can help developers with a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, planning applications, public consultations, Section 106 negotiations and neighbourhood plans. For more information or to discuss your project with one of our experts, contact us on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk
