The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a Christian fellowship driven by care and compassion. Members of the Church have lived and worked in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield for over 160 years, with its UK heritage spanning over 200 years – and we are committed to serving our local communities, including through extensive charitable and philanthropic activities.
Further information can be found on our website: www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org
The proposals include the delivery of 33 new, high-quality apartments.
These new homes have been designed for people aged 55 and over for local residents. The apartments, which include affordable options, would support older adults to maintain their independence while having easy access to the local community and relevant support.
The provision of these new homes would help deliver against the district’s recognised housing targets, including the need for purpose-built living space for older people in North East Derbyshire.
The new apartments would be delivered across three, three-storey buildings at the southern portion of the site.
There is a longstanding need for a place of worship to serve the congregation in the local area. Currently, members in the local community worship in buildings in Wingerworth and Chesterfield. However, these locations are now no longer fit for purpose and do not meet the needs of the local congregation.
To meet this need for a new, purpose-built, place of worship, Five Pits Place offers an ideal opportunity to create a place to serve those who live and work in the area.
As part of efforts to make best use of the site, the north west of the site has been identified as the best location to deliver the high-quality Gospel Hall.
The proposals have been carefully developed to ensure that Five Pits Place represents an appropriate level of development at this location, while minimising any impact on the area.
They are inspired by the site’s woodland surroundings, with careful thought given to softening the visual appearance of the proposed buildings by using the existing woodland envelope. Existing mature trees would also be used to further conceal the development.
The landscape of the site will be enhanced through the planting of additional trees and vegetation. This extensive new tree planting, hedgerows, and landscaping proposal would also target a valuable net gain for biodiversity on the site – beyond the national standard of 10%.
It would also see the delivery of courtyard gardens between the apartment blocks, providing green space, flowers, and foliage for residents to enjoy.
To the west of the site would see the delivery of an attractive new pond situated adjacent to the nearby Lings Pond. Alongside providing an area for surface run-off and flood control management, this space would enhance biodiversity by providing an additional habitat for local wildlife.
The proposals for Five Pits Place offer an opportunity to deliver much-needed new homes, including affordable options, while also meeting an identified need for purpose-built living space for older people in the area.
Alongside this, the proposals would deliver a Gospel Hall for the local congregation. As well acting as a place of worship, the new Gospel Hall represents an important opportunity to coordinate and support the Church’s charitable activity undertaken in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield.
As a public place of worship, there would also be opportunities for the Hall to support local community activities.
Between the apartment blocks would be attractive communal gardens for residents to come together and enjoy. These gardens would help create a sense of place and promote the wellbeing of residents, with access to the nearby Five Pits Trail also just a short walk away.
As part of these efforts, the access to the adjacent trail would also be improved and enhanced.
In line with similar Gospel Halls around the country, around three services per week are anticipated to take place. These typically fall outside of peak travel times so there is no detrimental impact on the local road network. For example, this includes evening services on weekdays, which begin after 7pm, and a regular Sunday morning service.
There will be no increase beyond the number of services which currently take place.
The Church expects to submit a planning application to North East Derbyshire District Council by late summer. Subject to approval, the Church will endeavour to deliver the new homes and Gospel Hall as soon as possible.
Construction would be delivered in a manner which is responsible and respectful to the surrounding area. As part of this, a construction management plan will be agreed with North East Derbyshire District Council to mitigate any impact on local residents and the surrounding area.
As part of the proposals, the Chesterfield Gospel Hall Trust has developed a comprehensive highways and transport plan to ensure that Five Pits Place can serve residents and the congregation for years to come.
Our proposals have been developed to reflect the proposed uses while being sensitive to the capacity of neighbouring roads. This includes two new access routes off Chesterfield Road which would separately serve the new homes and place of worship. In addition to this, the delivery of sufficient car parking space will accommodate those accessing Five Pits Place via car and prevent overspilling on neighbouring roads.
Alongside the Gospel Hall at the near west of the site, 197 car parking spaces, and 10 disabled spaces are proposed. To serve the new homes at the south of the site, a further 29 car parking spaces, and 12 disabled spaces would be delivered. This would provide sufficient space to accommodate those accessing Five Pits Place via car and prevent overspilling on neighbouring roads.
The public consultation will close on 19th September.
The project team will then carefully review all comments received on the proposals. The views of residents will be carefully balanced against the requirements of national and local planning policy, the views of planning officers and other statutory consultees, when finalising the planning application which will be submitted to North East Derbyshire District Council.