Councillors voted to continue with plans to build affordable homes on the grounds of a 19th century cottage despite opposition from residents.
Plans for two homes, two flats and one adapted wheelchair property on the site of Fishpond Cottage were approved by Broxtowe Borough Council Planning Committee earlier this year.
But the issue was brought back to Housing Committee on November 17 as some councillors asked for revisions to the plans due to the “strength of feeling” from residents.
Council documents show that £48,000 has been spent on securing planning permission to date.
The council originally proposed to knock down Fishpond Cottage in Ilkeston Lane and build nine homes – but plans were changed to retain the historic building.
Councillors were asked yesterday to vote again on four options, including option one, to proceed with plans as they are.
Chair of the meeting Councillor Teresa Cullen (Lab) said: “I am supporting option one to proceed with the build as per the planning permission.
“The reason I am supporting that is because we have already spent £48,000, we know that we have got 104 families waiting for those houses.
“If we build them all and build a load more we will still have families waiting.
“Fishpond Cottage has been on the agenda for development for a long time and we have reached the point where we just need to bite the bullet and get on with it.”
Councillor Philip Owen (Con) added: “We know that a year ago, your committee decided to submit a planning application. It was approved.
“There were objections as there often are. It does seem to me we are seeking to reverse that lawfully taken planning decision.
“It is absolutely bizarre we have not even started on this. We have already spent £48,000 and we are now being asked to cast that to one side and spend goodness knows how much more money bringing together new drawings and a new planning application.”
Councillor Hannah Land (Lib Dem) added: “One of the reasons this has come back to committee is the strength of feeling from residents.
“There were 190 signatures on a petition against this development. If I was to count the amount of contact I have had from residents about this development and the strength of concern about the plans, we would be here all evening and probably into the small hours of the morning.
“It has come back because it is not suitable for that area.”
Councillors voted 10 to three to continue with current plans (option one).
