News

Repton Parish Council have launched a petition to introduce 20 MPH limits in Repton and Milton. Why should residents of Repton and Milton sign and support this petition? The new national default 20mph in Wales has led to 28% fewer casualties.

https://chng.it/nsYXtwQvYW

Repton Parish Council have launched a petition to introduce 20 MPH limits in Repton and Milton. Why should residents of Repton and Milton sign and support this petition? The UK’s Department of Transport estimates that a 1 mph speed reduction in built-up areas reduces casualties by 6%

https://chng.it/nsYXtwQvYW

A memorial safety check will take place on Thursday 3^rd July 2025 at the burial ground on Monsom Lane.  Any found to be a safety issue could be toppled to ensure that the memorial does not fall on anyone who enters the burial ground.  Please be aware that the Council will endeavour to contact the owners of any that are found to be loose or toppled.  It is the responsibility of the memorial owner to ensure that work is completed to rectify the issue.  All work should be carried out by a qualified and insured stonemason, who should contact the Parish Council to book a date to remove and/or replace a memorial.

Please find details of the proposed road closure for B5008 Willington Road, Repton, to faciliate carriageway surface dressing and associated works.

You can view the order on this link  https://one.network/?tm=142946574

Please see the linked notice which details time constraints we have applied in terms of the closures involved.

The road will be closed for no more than 10 individual days within the date range specified.

For any queries please email TTM.mailbox@derbyshire.gov.uk

Please find details of the proposed road closure for Springfield Road, Repton.

You can view the order on this link  https://one.network/?tm=143286307

For any queries please email TTM.mailbox@derbyshire.gov.uk

Link to the petition as detailed below

The bustling nature of through-traffic in Repton and Milton, villages in Derbyshire, has become a persistent worry for us residents, particularly due to the disregard for our safety exhibited by speeding vehicles.  This hustle undeniably jeopardizes safety of our residents and the peaceful environment – the very essence of our villages.  Fuelled by concerns arising from Community Speedwatch data, the Repton Parish Council has decided to make a stand.

It is our belief that implementing a 20mph speed limit within the villages, particularly in residential areas, near schools and around village amenities including Repton’s High Street, is an urgent necessity to safeguard our community. 

Reducing the default speed limit on built-up roads in Wales to 20mph has brought multiple benefits – lower speeds have led to 678 (28%) fewer casualties in the twelve months after the national speed limit change compared to the previous year, including 10 fewer deaths.

Why 20mph?

1. Safer: The UK’s Department for Transport estimates that a 1mph speed reduction in built-up areas reduces casualties by 6%.  The new national default 20mph in Wales has led to 28% fewer casualties.  If you hit a pedestrian: at 30 mph there is a 20 percent chance they will be killed whereas at 20 mph there is a 2.5 percent chance they will be killed[1].
2. Cleaner and quieter: 20mph reduces tail-pipe emissions by 25% compared with 30mph and is 50% quieter.
3. Healthier: Slower speeds help to build inclusive communities where people and their activities are prioritised.  People feel safer to walk.
4. Popular: National and local surveys show 70% support for 20mph in residential streets.  Support grows once it is introduced.
5. Accepted: As well as being standard in many places in England, throughout Wales and (by the end of 2025) in Scotland, 20mph is global best practice where people mix with motor traffic.
6. Compliance: 20mph is as enforceable as any speed limit.  Even without extra police enforcement, speeds can drop by up to 6mph on faster roads.
7. Cost effective: 20mph brings economic, social and environmental benefits at a low cost.  Simple signs are enough to remind drivers, without the need for physical changes or extra enforcement.
8. Little impact on journey times: In built-up areas, 20mph limits do not usually affect travel time or bus schedules since congestion and crossings are the main factors.
9. Reduced cost for drivers: as well as lower speeds requiring less fuel, drivers can benefit from reduced insurance premia where 20mph is introduced widely

Speedwatch results indicate that our community’s safety is constantly compromised by vehicles not respecting speed regulations.  This issue extends past single incidents; it is a persistent issue that threatens life and limb and robs us of our villages’ tranquillity.  Many villages in England have already implemented 20mph and this is increasingly normal.  Thus, we will petition Derbyshire County Council, urging them to implement a 20mph limit in Milton and Repton.

We believe that our proposal for a 20mph speed limit across residential roads, school areas and village amenities in Milton and Repton is crucial, not just for our serenity, but ultimately for our safety.  As residents, parents and concerned citizens, we petition the Derbyshire County Council to implement change, prioritise our safety and ensure our cherished villages remains a safe haven for all their residents.  Please sign this petition to support us in discussions with DCC to implement 20mph zones in critical areas of Repton and Milton

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[1] https://www.roadwise.co.uk/using-the-road/speeding/the-chance-of-a-pedestrian-surviving/#:~:text=at%2030%20mph%20there%20is,chance%20they%20will%20be%20killed.

Please find below the objection that Repton Parish Council has sent to Turley who are working on behalf of Hallam Land also South Derbyshire District Council planning department.

The Repton Parish Council would object to the proposed Development on Land South West of Mount Pleasant Road on the following grounds –

HOUSING

The Repton and Milton Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy (NDP) H1 states –

6.1.2 POLICY H1: THE LIMITS OF DEVELOPMENT: The limits of development, which define the settlement boundary for the villages of Repton and Milton, will be maintained as identified on the proposals maps for each village, as shown below. Housing development outside of the settlement boundary will only be permitted if it is solely or primarily for affordable housing, of a scale and design appropriate to its context and generally in conformity with South Derbyshire Local Plan Policy BNE5.

The proposed development does not meet NDP Policy H1 and forms grounds for objection.

The South Derbyshire District Council Pre Submission Local Plan Part 1 has a revised policy H1. The wording of most relevance in Policy H1 is:

For the above two tiers [includes Repton], development of all sizes within the settlement boundaries will be considered appropriate and sites adjoining settlement boundaries as rural exception sites in accordance with Policy H21 as long as not greater than 25 dwellings.

H21 states:

Rural exception sites, where development is kept in perpetuity as affordable housing, will be permitted adjoining settlements with boundaries defined in the Local Plan, other than Swadlincote, Derby and Burton. The number of dwellings to be provided should be in accordance with Policy H1. Due to the need for affordable housing, all homes delivered within rural exception sites are required to meet the definition of Affordable Housing as set out in the NPPF.

Rural exception sites will only be permitted where:

1. the homes meet a clearly identified local need arising from the adjoining settlement;
2. the need cannot reasonably be met within the settlement boundary;
3. A range of services and facilities are conveniently accessible from the site by means other than private car and
4. The development is proportionate in scale to the existing settlement and is compliant with all other relevant policies in the Local Plan.

The proposed development does not meet the requirements of the SDDC Pre Submission Local Plan Part 1 Policy H21 and forms additional grounds for objection.

AREAS OF CONCERN

The Parish Council would be interested in how the developer intends to address the following concerns –

Flooding and Sewerage –

Flooding is a major concern and, following recent floods, the village has set up a Community Flood Warden Scheme and a installed a stage monitor and alarm in the Repton Brook to handle road closures and parishioners’ safety.  The proposal refers to SuDS (Sustainable urban Drainage Systems) to manage the runoff from the site, including permeable pavements and green spaces to absorb rainfall, and retention/detention basins to hold back runoff from other hard surfaces. Any development that may contribute additional runoff to the Repton Brook during high flows is unacceptable and we require detailed assessment by the Environment Agency.

The village has a continuing problem with the current sewerage arrangement which, given the the age and condition of the sewers and increasing number of users in the village, has been of concern to the parishioners and also the sewerage utility, due to the number of repairs required and their capacity. We would require all the roof drainage from any development should go to soakaways and not into the sewer network, so as to not exacerbate any existing sewer flooding. Severn Trent will have to comment on these concerns based on their understanding of the sewer network.

Traffic –

The Repton Parish Council notes the proposal does not give a figure for the number of parking spaces on the site (though a figure of greater than 150 would be expected) and hence it is difficult to comment on the traffic statements in the proposal other than they surprise us.  Repton does not have any significant employment opportunities planned and hence any residents on the development would be required to travel to their place of work.  Travel by cycle is limited by the lack of cycle routes and the narrow roads and level of traffic on the routes out of the village.  Given the limited bus service available then these journeys would be almost all by car. 

The amount of traffic through Repton (and Willington) currently causes significant hold ups and delays particularly at rush hour, affecting access to the A38 and A50 Trunk Roads  Any problems, roadworks or flooding are exacerbated by the nearest alternative River Trent crossings being in Burton on Trent and Swarkstone Bridge (which is an ancient monument and has only limited capacity).

The Square in Repton is a known problem junction and the egress from Pinfold Lane has limited visibility particularly down Main Street.  Pinfold Lane itself is of limited capacity and the situation is worsened by the terrace houses on the Lane not having off street parking available to them.

The Mount Pleasant Road to Milton is a single track lane with no passing places with potholes and deep gullies each side making passing difficult.  This situation makes it unsuitable for normal levels of vehicular usage and should not be used in assessing traffic flows.

Given the above we would expect the developer’s traffic statement would clearly show the assumptions used and basis of the assessment in order to make any reasonable comments on the assessment.

Green Wedge and Mill Hill –

We would object to the loss of an important open ‘Green Wedge’ in the village providing a major addition to the green spaces defined in the village and provides a nature conservation pathway through the village.

Mill Hill is currently a small hamlet separate from Repton with its own character.  The proposed development would effectively subsume Mill Hill into the village destroying its character.  We would object to this situation arising.

Inaccuracies on the Developers Proposal Statements

We object to the developer making the following misleading or incorrect statements in their proposal –

The proposal incorrectly states that there is a bank in the village.

Medical Centre – Repton does not have a Medical Centre.  It has the Repton Health Centre that serves as an administrative centre for NHS teams and provides little or none of the comprehensive health care the community requires. The local surgery and pharmacy are both in Willington requiring either a bus or more likely a car journey.

The map in the proposal is incorrect in that the only Public Bus Service bus stops are on Burton Road and at the Cross (as they correctly state in their wording).  The service is planned to run every hour in the timetabled period but does not provide a 24 hour service nor gives direct access to the hospitals in Derby or Burton.

It is difficult to understand how two local shops and a small Post Office can qualify as a range of shops.

We also object to the leading question in the ‘Have your say’ section of the proposal that asked if the respondent was in favour of more housing.  The definition of housing requirements is a function for SDDC.  Furthermore, the allocation of sites, across the district to meet this requirement, is also an SDDC function within the Local and any Neighbourhood Plans.  For the developer to use the argument that because people want more housing that this site is required, misrepresents the planning process.

We are surprised at the following statement include in their proposal –

Alongside urban areas like Swadlincote and the peripheries of Derby and Burton-upon-Trent, Repton is a focus area for growth.

                We do not understand the basis for this comment.

Please find below the objection that Repton Parish Council has sent to Savills and also South Derbyshire District Council planning department.

The Repton Parish Council (that covers both the villages of Repton and Milton) would object to the proposed Development East of Repton (Ref DY42664) on the following grounds –

HOUSING

The Repton and Milton Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy (NDP) H1 states –

6.1.2 POLICY H1: THE LIMITS OF DEVELOPMENT: The limits of development, which define the settlement boundary for the villages of Repton and Milton, will be maintained as identified on the proposals maps for each village, as shown below. Housing development outside of the settlement boundary will only be permitted if it is solely or primarily for affordable housing, of a scale and design appropriate to its context and generally in conformity with South Derbyshire Local Plan Policy BNE5.

The proposed development does not meet NDP Policy H1 and forms grounds for objection.

The South Derbyshire District Council Pre Submission Local Plan Part 1 has a revised policy H1. The wording of most relevance in Policy H1 is:

For the above two tiers [includes Repton], development of all sizes within the settlement boundaries will be considered appropriate and sites adjoining settlement boundaries as rural exception sites in accordance with Policy H21 as long as not greater than 25 dwellings.

H21 states:

Rural exception sites, where development is kept in perpetuity as affordable housing, will be permitted adjoining settlements with boundaries defined in the Local Plan, other than Swadlincote, Derby and Burton. The number of dwellings to be provided should be in accordance with Policy H1. Due to the need for affordable housing, all homes delivered within rural exception sites are required to meet the definition of Affordable Housing as set out in the NPPF.

Rural exception sites will only be permitted where:

1. the homes meet a clearly identified local need arising from the adjoining settlement;
2. the need cannot reasonably be met within the settlement boundary;
3. A range of services and facilities are conveniently accessible from the site by means other than private car and
4. the development is proportionate in scale to the existing settlement and is compliant with all other relevant policies in the Local Plan.

The proposed development does not meet the requirements of the SDDC Pre Submission Local Plan Part 1 Policy H21 and forms additional grounds for objection.

SEPARATION OF MILTON AND REPTON

The need to maintain the separation of Milton and Repton villages is a theme that runs throughout the NDP.  In the public consultation it was seen as a fundamental requirement to be included

The NDP has a basic requirement –

5.2.1 Looking at the principles (in the NDP) in more detail:

The preservation of the separate villages of Repton and Milton, so that the individual identity of each community is not lost: The two villages are very different in size, and nature.

The NDP also has Policy OS2

6.2.4 POLICY OS2: THE IMPACT OF NEW DEVELOPMENT ON VIEWS OF AND VIEWS FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE.  This is backed up by a landscape assessment of the parish supporting the separation of the two villages (CEF 6).

CEF 6 – Landscape Character and Visual Aspects Report – contains the following statements

Section on Separation of Repton and Milton –

 2.49 Within the local landscape area there is an overriding need to ensure that potential coalescence of the two villages is avoided. There is a short distance of c.1km between Repton and Milton however the rising land between the two villages, which is reinforced by the settlements (particularly Milton) being nestled along the valley bottom, provides a perception of separation from one another. A sufficiently wide gap should therefore be retained to allow a sense of leaving one place before arriving at the other.

Under section 4.5           

Where possible, future development should also seek to:- Maintain the physical separation between Repton and Milton which reinforces the individual setting and character for each village;

Figure 13 of the document highlights the area and is designated – Settlement Edge of Higher Sensitivity, in Landscape and Visual Terms, to Future Built Development.

The proposed development does not meet NDP policy OS2 and forms another ground for objection.

Major Safety Concern

The Parish Council and parishioners also have a major safety concern for pedestrians and vehicles on Milton Road and exiting and accessing the site given the topography of the area.  These concerns have not reduced since the 2014 application that was withdrawn after objections were received from DCC Highways and the Repton Parish Council.  These concerns have been reinforced by the work of the Community Speed Watch that has been deployed in this area of the village a number of times.  We would be interested to see how these concerns can be met.