May

Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, has launched an important survey on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This survey invites women and girls across Derby and Derbyshire to share their experiences, perceptions of safety, and views on gender-based violence. All responses are completely anonymous, and the insights gathered will play a key role in shaping future services and support.

We would greatly appreciate your help in sharing this survey with your networks, including those who may have been affected, to ensure as many voices as possible are heard.

Every year some 2,000 deferred Armed Forces pensions go unclaimed and the sums involved can be significant. The latest MoD report from 2025 states that more than 15,000 pension benefits still remain unclaimed, down from 17,100 in 2023. This is progress but more needs to be done which is why the Forces Pension Society Charitable Fund is supporting the Unclaimed Pensions campaign. The aim is to raise awareness and signpost eligible Veterans to unite them with their pension benefits.

For further information see the link below:

Veterans’ Unclaimed Armed Forces Pensions Campaign

Further advice can be found through the Veterans UK site. See the link below:

Veterans UK – GOV.UK – Armed forces pensions – GOV.UK

The link below also has advice on Deferred Pensions:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/664dca9e4f29e1d07fadcc77/A_Guide_to_Deferred_and_Preserved_Pension_Entitlement.pdf

Is your home phone ready for the switch-off?

The UK’s old copper phone network is being switched off by January 2027, and some areas are already being affected.

If you or someone you know relies on a home phone, particularly for a telecare alarm, medical device, or burglar alarm, it is important not to wait to be contacted.

Phonely has produced a free plain-English checklist covering everything residents need to check. Download it from their website or call the UK team free on 0800 112 5000.

www.phonely.co.uk/uk-digital-landline-switchover

Planning Application DMPA/2026/0490:  Outline planning application (matters of access, and scale to be considered, with matters of appearance , landscaping and layout reserved) for the erection of 2no. dwellings at Land to the rear of 16 Main Street, Repton, Derby, DE65 6EZ 

Repton Parish Council submitted the following objection to SDDC Planning as agreed in the May 2026 meeting

The history of The Grange, included in the application, is of interest but actually of irrelevance to the application given it is the existing building that is Grade II* listed and included in the Village Conservation Area.

Repton Parish Council objects to this development on the following grounds –

1. The plans do not have enough space for vehicles to be turned round on the proposed plots.  This means they would be required to reverse onto Broomhills Lane to exit. The lane is not only used by residents but also by visitors to the stables at the top of the lane but more importantly by users of the Broomhills Recreational facility. The users to the playing field include many youngsters and the current plans constitute an unacceptable safety risk.

2. The plans propose two story buildings that would be out of context with the rest of the dwellings on that side of Broomhills Lane and the Repton Conservation Area.

3. The scale of the proposed development would also adversely affect the setting of the Grange, a Grade II* listed building.

4. The proposed plans would severely alter the conservation area including the removal of existing mature trees that form part of the rural character of the area. The Repton & Milton Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy OS3 requires –

B) The felling of protected trees, groups of trees or woodland and removal of important hedgerows, will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the relevant legislation, policy and good practice recommendations.

C) Development proposals which will have a negative effect on trees, hedgerows or woodland must satisfactorily demonstrate a net biodiversity gain can be delivered through the delivery of appropriate mitigation, compensation or offsetting, including through new planting or improved management of retained trees and hedgerows. New planting will be expected to be adequately managed to reach full maturity.  This proposed development does not meet these requirements.

5. It is further noted that the Village Design Statement (referenced in the NPD) includes Guidelines that the requirement that habitats should be protected and ecological diversity maintained.  If the development was one, single storey building only with a vehicle turning area on the plot and designed to minimise the loss of mature trees then it would be more suitable for the size and location of the plot.

As agreed in the April 2026 meeting, Repton Parish Council submitted the following comments:

The referenced document is effectively a cut and paste of the relevant District Councils Local Plans as they are relevant to the three Freeport sites in terms of infrastructure.  The only exception to this seems to be the Junction 24 on the M1 where it meets up with the A50.

As far as the East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) site there is nothing in terms of infrastructure beyond the SDDC Local Plan though the document includes the need to address the EMIP link to the A38 / A50 interchange as part of the Local Plan.

Fragility of current local road infrastructure –

Recent work on the A38 has again highlighted the traffic problems in the Willington / Repton area.  We are already in the situation where any disruption on Repton / Willington road network or adjoining part of the A38 causes significant tailbacks and holdups, if not effective gridlock in the rush hour.  The local police are aware of the problem.  It is noted that due to queuing this problem would not show on traffic counters.

The only alternatives to the Repton / Willington Bridge crossing the River Trent are effectively the M1 or Burton on Trent crossings.  The Swarkstone Causeway does not currently provide a real alterative option however if a new link was provided across the Trent in this locality with an access directly onto the A50 as part of the strategic infrastructure requirements this would we believe have a major relieving impact on many of the local settlements.  This project is included in INF4 of the emerging Local Plan (INF4  A v).

It is further noted that there is no convenient and safe access by foot for all users between the settlements.

There is a need for the document to define the requirement to address the impact of the EMIP workforce travel on the neighbouring settlements and require it to be addressed in the SDP as part of the fundamental infrastructure. 

We find it surprising that this has not already been addressed as part of the Strategic Infrastructure.  This will also need to be addressed in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

(We note that paragraph 1.3 of the Consultation Statement gives the incorrect Local Authorities for the three sites!)

Planning Application DMOT/2026/0396: The approval of details reserved by conditions 5 (WSI) , 6 (Community Use Agreement) ,  7 (Management and Maintenance Plan) , 9 (CEMP: Biodiversity) , 10 (Landscape and Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan) , 13 (Event Parking Plan), 15 (Lighting) at Repton School, Workshop Latham House, Tanners Lane, Repton, Derby, DE65 6FP

Repton Parish Council submitted the following comments to SDDC Planning as agreed in the April 2026 meeting

The Council discussed that they would request a position on the committee.  They were also concerned about the car parking arrangements.  How is this to be communicated, how will it be marshalled, what will happen if more than one event per day is held?