Concerns about hedges at a planned development at Inkersall, Chesterfield

CPRE have submitted comments urging preservation of hedges at a planned residential development of 102 dwellings, together with landscaping, infrastructure, access arrangements and associated works on land to the west of Bevan Drive Inkersall, Chesterfield.

CPRE believes that hedgerows are not only beautiful, but they also provide homes and corridors for wildlife and tackle the climate crisis by capturing carbon. We are therefore keen to see that the species rich native hedgerow on the site boundary on the north and east of the site and which represent Priority Habitat are given full protection, should the application be approved.

We have highlighted that in order to protect the hedgerows now and in the future a full survey to investigate whether the hedges are classified as ‘important’ should take place and the extent of hedge breaches clarified prior to granting full planning permission. Additionally, conditions need to be applied and rigorously enforced to ensure the developer does indeed retain the hedgerows as indicated.