A housing developer’s plans for up to 149 homes to be built in Stanton Hill village have been given the green light by the Planning Inspectorate.
In early 2025, Countryside Properties (UK) Limited, which operates under its parent company, Vistry, tabled initial plans to build 149 homes on land at Stubbinghill Farm, on Brand Lane, Stanton Hill, in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Ashfield District Council was expected to determine the application within the relevant timeframe, but this was not the case, meaning the developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate earlier in 2026 for a decision.
Plans have previously been proposed for the site, including one for 142 homes in 2020 and another for 141 homes in 2022, but these were both rejected over concerns that the homes would result in “significant harm” to the character of Brand Lane and the wider area.
Fears of “further encroachment” into the countryside were also noted, along with concerns that a new development would create “significant volumes” of traffic without improvements being made in the area.
These same concerns about the current proposals were put forward by the council during the appeal. However, on Thursday (9 July), the Planning Inspectorate decided the development could go ahead.
Up to 149 homes could one day be built across two fields to the west of Stanton Hill village.
The plans are in their early, ‘outline’ stage, meaning further detailed proposals, such as the precise layout of the homes, will be submitted at a later stage.
The Planning Inspectorate concluded the development would “preserve the character and appearance of the area” and the character of the wider landscape, where “illustrative” details suggest appropriate housing density, landscaping, outdoor space and drainage could be achieved.
The inspector said: “The details also show the creation of a green corridor around the public footpath running through the site, which would help to soften the visual impact of housing on either side. I am satisfied that a suitable layout and overall design could be achieved at the reserved matters stage.”
Access to the housing development would be from the existing entrance to the farm on the site, which continues in a straight line from the end of Brand Lane.
Planning documents say Brand Lane can experience “considerable levels” of on-street parking, meaning part of the road effectively becomes a single carriageway.
A traffic study also indicated only a “modest increase” in traffic from the development, stating: “The reality is that drivers may have to wait to allow oncoming traffic to pass through the on-street parking, but this is an existing scenario and one which the evidence indicates would not be significantly exacerbated by the development.”
Documents say the developer plans to contribute £195,000 towards local bus services and £253,000 towards upgrading the pedestrian and cycling environment, including upgrading signals at the junction of Brand Lane, the B6028 and Longden Terrace, introducing a 20mph speed limit on Brand Lane, and improving public rights of way in the area.
Ten per cent of the homes would be affordable, helping the council’s aim of providing a five-year housing supply, although it currently has only 4.39 years’ supply.
By Lauren Monaghan, Local Democracy Reporter