𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐆𝐁 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

𝟏. 𝐀 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬
Our weekly posts are often long, and we make no apology for providing the full detail.

We hope people will read each update in full, but we recognise that not everyone has the time to do so. Some followers may simply want the main headlines before deciding which sections they would like to read in more detail.

From this week, we will therefore include a short summary of the key headlines at the beginning of each Friday update.

The full detail will still be there for anyone who wants it, but you can also dip into the sections that are of particular interest to you.

𝟐. 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲
• SKHGB has submitted a further ecological objection identifying unresolved weaknesses in Wheeldon’s evidence that require correction and add weight to the case for refusal
• SKHGB is asking residents to share any knowledge of historical finds near the application site to help establish whether a professional archaeological assessment is needed
• SKHGB has asked Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth to oppose the division of Amber Valley amid concerns that joining Derby and Erewash could increase development pressure on local villages
• SKHGB has responded to the new Local Plan consultation and is urging residents to submit their own views before 5pm on Wednesday 12 August 2026
• Please share this post to help more local residents stay informed, follow the campaign and suggest subjects for future updates

𝟑. 𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐆𝐁 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
SKHGB has submitted a new supplementary objection to planning application AVA/2025/0587 following publication this week of Wheeldon’s Ecological Impact Assessment.

We have acknowledged that additional ecological surveys have now been completed and have not repeated concerns that have been addressed. Our objection is limited to substantive matters that remain unresolved, including:

• Contradictory information about the bat surveys undertaken, including the absence of autumn coverage
• Himalayan balsam being recorded across the site despite the report later stating that no invasive non-native species were found
• Failure to clearly secure the recommended undisturbed buffer alongside the ditch and potential water vole habitat
• Assessment against the wrong Amber Valley Local Plan policies

We have asked Amber Valley Borough Council not to determine the application until these matters have been corrected, properly assessed and reviewed by its ecological adviser.

This may result in further work and could delay the application. However, it would not be responsible to allow significant weaknesses in Wheeldon’s ecological evidence to pass without challenge.

Each unresolved issue adds further cost, uncertainty and pressure to a proposal already facing serious Green Belt, highways, drainage, infrastructure and viability concerns. Most importantly, it adds further weight to the case that this application should be refused.

SKHGB will continue to examine the evidence carefully and raise only those objections that are reasonable, relevant and properly supported.

𝟒. 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲?
The fields covered by planning application AVA/2025/0587 are less than a mile from the projected route of Ryknield Street, an important Roman road that ran northwards through Derbyshire.

Roman pottery has previously been found in the wider Horsley area, including concentrations of Romano-British Derbyshire Ware near the projected route of the road. The surrounding landscape also contains extensive evidence of medieval activity, while Horsley Parish Council has reported that the application site itself retains traces of medieval strip fields and ridge and furrow.

This does not prove that Roman buildings, roads or important artefacts are present within the proposed development site. However, it does suggest that the archaeological potential of these fields should be properly assessed before any decision is made or the development layout is fixed.

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.

Is anyone aware of any historical artefacts that have ever been found in or near to the proposed site?

These might include pottery, coins, worked stone, metal objects or anything else believed to be of historic interest. We would also be interested in any photographs, family stories or information about finds made during farming, drainage or other work in the area.

Please comment below or contact SKHGB privately if you have any information at skandhgb@gmail.com.

Important: we are not asking anyone to enter the land, dig, use metal detectors or disturb the fields. Our aim is simply to establish whether local knowledge may help to inform a proper, professionally managed archaeological assessment.

𝟓. 𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐆𝐁 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲
SKHGB has written to Amber Valley MP Linsey Farnsworth about the Government’s decision to divide Amber Valley between two new unitary authorities.

Under the proposals, Kilburn, Horsley and other southern Amber Valley communities would become part of a large authority including Derby City and Erewash.

SKHGB is concerned that this could weaken local identity and expose our villages to greater development pressure arising from Derby and elsewhere.

These concerns are already being reflected elsewhere. Campaigners opposing 250 proposed homes in Swadlincote say South Derbyshire is being expected to help meet Derby’s housing needs, despite serious concerns about roads, infrastructure and the loss of settlement identity.

A separate proposal at Mickleover also describes housing outside the settlement boundary as a “natural extension” of Derby, illustrating how the city’s outward growth can be used to justify further development in neighbouring districts.

Future housing decisions must reflect local need, infrastructure capacity, sustainability and Green Belt protection - not simply absorb unmet demand from other areas.

SKHGB believes Amber Valley should remain together within the proposed northern authority.

We have asked our MP to press ministers to reconsider the decision and publish the evidence behind it.

We have not yet received a response but will provide an update when we do.

𝟔. 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 - 𝐒𝐊𝐇𝐆𝐁 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝
Last week, we highlighted Amber Valley Borough Council’s consultation on the new Local Plan covering the period from 2026 to 2044.

We can now confirm that SKHGB has submitted its formal response on behalf of the campaign.

Our response addresses all 14 consultation questions and argues for:
• A genuinely plan-led rather than developer-led approach
• Proper assessment of housing need and all reasonable alternatives
• Priority for brownfield land, regeneration and underused sites
• Protection of the Green Belt and the separate identities of Kilburn and Horsley
• Infrastructure-first planning, with essential services secured before development
• Growth that is proportionate to the character and capacity of individual settlements
• Protection against Amber Valley becoming the default location for unmet development pressures arising from Derby or elsewhere
• Meaningful community involvement throughout the preparation of the Plan

You can read SKHGB’s full submitted response here: https://skhgb.co.uk/save-kilburn-and-horsleys-green-belt-skhgb-response-to-the-amber-valley-local-plan-2026-2044-scoping-consultation/

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞.

Although SKHGB has submitted an organisational response, it is important that residents also respond individually. You do not need to answer every question or produce a lengthy technical document. Your own knowledge and experience of the area are valuable.

You may wish to comment on issues such as:
• The importance of protecting the countryside gap between Kilburn and Horsley
• Pressure on roads, schools, healthcare, drainage and other infrastructure
• Inadequate public transport and dependence on private cars
• Flooding, biodiversity, agricultural land and the Green Belt
• The need to prioritise sustainable locations and previously developed land
• The importance of retaining the identity and character of our villages

The consultation closes at 𝟓𝐩𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

You can read about the consultation and submit your response here:
https://www.ambervalley.gov.uk/.../amber-valley-local...

Please take part and help ensure that the voices of Kilburn, Horsley and the surrounding communities are heard at this important early stage.

𝟕. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞
Every share helps more local people stay informed and engaged.

SKHGB is already reaching a significant number of households across Kilburn and Horsley, but there are still many residents who may not yet be aware of the scale or implications of this application.

If you value clear, factual updates on what is happening and what it could mean for our area, please help widen the reach by sharing this post and inviting friends, neighbours and family to follow the page.

Please do let us know if there’s anything in particular you’d like us to cover in future updates.