Erewash Borough Council’s long-term planning blueprint – the document that decides where new homes can be built, how the borough will grow, and which Green Belt fields could be released for development – has run into serious trouble after a Government Planning Inspector warned it is still not fit for purpose.
In a letter dated 20 November 2025, the Inspector says the Council has not fixed the major problems she highlighted last year. Without major changes, the plan cannot move forward.
Her findings mean the future of development in Ilkeston, Long Eaton and the surrounding villages has been thrown back into uncertainty.
What’s gone wrong?
The Inspector says she recognises the effort made by Council officers, but the evidence behind the plan simply does not stack up. Several core parts of the work are still unclear, incomplete or flawed.
Here are the main issues she highlights:
Green Belt work is “flawed”
The Inspector says the Green Belt Review:
- is inconsistent
- does not compare sites in a clear or reliable way
- does not follow national planning requirements
- does not justify why certain areas would be removed from the Green Belt
- does not include the required compensatory improvements when Green Belt land is lost
Housing numbers and land supply are not fully explained
The plan says Erewash needs 5,800 new homes between 2022 and 2037, but the Inspector says the Council has not shown how it reached this figure or whether enough land is actually available to deliver it. She also says it is not clear whether Green Belt release is genuinely necessary.
Settlement hierarchy is unclear
The Council must show the different roles of towns and villages and explain why development is distributed the way it is. The Inspector says this work is still confusing and not properly justified.
Site selection not transparent
The method for choosing which sites should be allocated for development is not clear, not transparent and not backed by strong evidence. This is especially important where Green Belt land is involved.
Transport modelling does not match the plan
The latest Transport Assessment is based on the wrong timescale and does not reflect changes to the list of proposed development sites. The Inspector says this means it cannot be relied on.
Sustainability appraisal still not good enough
A sustainability appraisal must test different ways the borough could grow. The Inspector says the Council still has not properly assessed alternatives, which is a legal requirement.
What happens next?
Erewash Borough Council has been given 10 working days from the date of the letter to choose one of two options:
- pause the plan and carry out major new work
- withdraw the plan completely and start again from scratch
Either choice would mean delays and uncertainty for development across the borough.
Council response
Erewash Borough Council says it is disappointed with the Inspector’s view, stating that it has worked hard to meet the demanding deadlines set during the examination. The Council says it understands the need for more homes in Erewash and had aimed to push the plan forward, but now has 10 working days to consider its next steps and will issue a fuller response in due course.
Why it matters
This plan shapes the future of the entire borough. It decides:
- where new homes will be built
- which fields stay protected as Green Belt
- what roads, schools and services will be needed
- how Ilkeston, Long Eaton and the villages grow over the next 15 years
Without a sound plan, Erewash cannot move forward with long-term decisions, leaving residents, landowners and developers in limbo.