Yesterday, Lee Rowley visited Ashover to talk to local residents about the increasing number of planning applications in the area which are threatening to change the character of this historic and popular Peak village.
During the 2015 election campaign Lee actively campaigned against the proposed Narrowleys Road development which now, unfortunately, has received outline planning permission. A further planning application is due to be made near The Bourne nearby and others may also be in the pipeline. Local residents, supported by Councillors Armitage and Lewis, are leading an active campaign to stop these applications and to protect the historic integrity of the village.
"Ashover is a hugely important part of North East Derbyshire and needs to be protected for generations to come," said Lee Rowley. "That's why I opposed the first application on Narrowleys Road in 2014 and why I will support Ashover residents in their latest campaign against the new planning application. Villages like Ashover need protection and house-building needs to be sympathetic to the local area.
"These planning applications might never had happened had the local Council not dragged its feet on a local plan for so many years. Two things are clear: North East Derbyshire District Council needs to be better held to account for its failings and we need an MP in Westminster who will argue strongly
(Picture: Lee with Cllr William Armitage on an earlier visit)