Background

A high-level timeline, and overview of the recent history and current position

• June 2025 - October 2025

  • Dronfield Eye published an article about the emerging Local Plan, referencing site 45160 – Land North of Dronfield Woodhouse. The site’s inclusion in the emerging Plan followed the Council’s Call for Sites process, through which landowners, developers and other parties could submit sites for consideration for potential future development.

  • The emerging Local Plan process provided residents with an opportunity to review and comment on sites identified through the Call for Sites.

  • A local residents group formed in response to the emerging Local Plan consultation, and quickly grew as more residents became engaged.

  • The group focused on understanding the emerging Local Plan, the Council’s housing requirements and the planning considerations relevant to sites being considered for development.

  • Residents began to explore the material constraints affecting potential development, including housing requirements, the relative suitability of different sites, and the distinction between Green Belt and previously developed land.

  • Residents engaged with local representatives to better understand the wider planning process and the local context surrounding previous development proposals.

  • Residents were encouraged to consider the planning considerations relevant to the site when preparing their individual consultation responses. These included matters such as environmental impact, infrastructure, housing requirements, transport and the relative sustainability of different development locations.

  • Residents submitted their own individual responses to the first round of consultation.

• Early 2026

  • NEDCC released a revised site list following the first consultation, with site 45160 remaining under consideration as part of the emerging Local Plan.

  • The second round of consultation provided an opportunity for residents to consider the site in greater detail, with a particular focus on its planning constraints and suitability.

  • Residents continued to engage with local representatives to better understand the planning process and the local context.

  • Residents began to examine the site in greater detail, considering a range of planning matters including highways, landscape, Green Belt, ground conditions, drainage, infrastructure and environmental considerations.

  • Residents submitted their own individual responses to the second round of consultation.

• Summer 2026

  • While the emerging Local Plan was still underway, along with a review of the 2017 Green Belt review, a developer (Boningale Developments) was identified as showing an active interest in the site.

  • Responses to the second Local Plan consultation were made publicly available, with site 45160 receiving a significant number of responses.

  • Boningale Developments representatives subsequently visited the site.

  • Boningale Developments held a public drop-in session at Gosforth Fields, supported by its planning consultants, providing residents with information about the potential development and seeking feedback on matters including housing preferences and potential interest in the development.

  • Residents also engaged with Dronfield Civic Society to better understand its role in the local planning process

• Where are we now?

  • Next stages

    • The draft Local Plan has been published (17th September 2026)

      • A 6 week consultation window will open. Responses will be submitted, along with the draft Plan, to the Planning Inspector

      • It will then progress through the relevant stages of examination and review, with representations forming part of the process.

      • Residents will continue to engage constructively with the formal planning process as it develops.

    • The Council's updated Green Belt assessment, including consideration of the site's position under the current national planning policy framework.

      • The site's position in the previous Green Belt assessment provides useful historical context when considering the updated assessment.

      • (We are currently waiting for the updated review as evidence behind the draft Local Plan)

    • The submission of any planning application by Boningale Developments, which will provide further detail on the proposals and allow them to be considered through the formal planning process.