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The Secretary of State has refused permission for two development schemes proposed within the buffer zone of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The schemes comprised (i) outline planning permission for a maximum of 150 dwellings and public open space, employment floor space - max 6,000 sq m of B1/B8 for the manufacture/assembly of heating appliances/boilers and parts; Offices (Non-ancillary); the storage and distribution of heating appliances/boilers and parts; and for any other use or uses within Class B1 and/or B8; and (ii) a maximum of 6,000 sq m of B1/B8 floor space for the manufacture/assembly of heating appliances/boilers and parts; Offices (Non-ancillary); the storage and distribution of heating appliances/boilers and parts; and for any other use or uses within Class B1 and/or B8; and a maximum of 6,500 sq m (B1a - Offices) and maximum of 7,500 sq m (B1c- Light Industry). The LPA, Amber Valley Borough Council, had refused planning permission for the residential-led scheme but supported the grant of permission for the employment scheme on the basis that the application site was allocated for employment use in the adopted development plan. Following a 7 day public inquiry in April 2018 Inspector C J Ball DArch DCons RIBA IHBC recommended that both schemes should be rejected, in particular because of their impact on the WHO, an asset of international significance. The Secretary of State agreed with Inspector Ball’s conclusions. Robert Walton acted for Historic England, instructed by Beth Harries.
