Council scraps homes plan near 'first public park'

Council plans to build new homes on land next to what is recognised as Britain's first-ever public park have been scrapped.

More than 45 objections were sent to Derby City Council over its proposal to redevelop a disused bowling green next to Arboretum Park.

The plan, submitted early last year were for 10 new homes to be built which, following construction, would be managed by the council's social housing company Derby Homes.

Now a letter has been published within the planning documents confirming the council's move to withdraw the application due to the number of objections raised.

The city council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it was not at a stage to comment any further.

In the letter, a council project leader wrote: "Please can I formally withdraw the Rose Hill bowling green planning application, due to the number of objections, and interest for the site to go forward for community use."

The Arboretum public park was created and gifted to the citizens of Derby in 1840 by textile businessman Joseph Strutt.

According to the council, the former bowling green next to it had been disused for many years, was "heavily overgrown" and had been the scene of anti-social behaviour.

The authority's plan was to build seven two-storey terraced homes and three bungalows on the plot of land facing the residential street next to the park.

Each house would have had at least three bedrooms and two parking spaces.

The council said its plan to redevelop the land was part of a "flagship project" with the authority looking to build "homes for the future".

However, the council suggested it was still looking at options for the site – potentially for the purpose of "community use".

In their written objection to the plan, one resident said the land was "too valuable" as a recreation spot for the use to change.

Another said: "The land at the bowling green is a lost green haven in one of the most populated and overcrowded urban areas in the city of Derby.

"This rare area of green should be kept for future recreational use and included in the main body of the Arboretum Park."

Heritage organisation Historic England also responded to the plan in a letter saying it would harm "the integrity of Arboretum Park".

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