Erewash Borough Council is set to launch work on a new Local Plan next week, but council documents reveal that around 1,500 homes could receive planning permission before the new strategy is even completed.
The issue will be discussed at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 17 June, where councillors will be asked to formally begin preparing a replacement for the Core Strategy Review that was withdrawn in January following concerns raised by the Planning Inspector.
The new Local Plan will ultimately determine where homes, employment land and infrastructure should be located across the borough. However, the report going before councillors makes clear that Erewash is already under significant pressure to approve new housing developments.
According to council officers, the borough has failed to meet its annual housing target in all but one of the last 12 years, leaving a cumulative shortfall of more than 1,500 homes. The report argues that this under-delivery has had economic and social consequences, contributing to rising demand for housing, increasing pressure on waiting lists and a growing number of people living in shared accommodation or remaining with family members because suitable housing is unavailable.
At the same time, national planning policy has changed. With Erewash unable to demonstrate that enough homes are coming forward, the council warns that developers are increasingly likely to submit applications on Green Belt sites that may now be regarded as “Grey Belt” under Government policy.
Several such applications have already been submitted and officers expect more to follow.
Perhaps the most striking admission in the report is the acknowledgement that around 1,500 homes could secure planning permission before any development sites are formally allocated through the new Local Plan process. Officers note that the plan-making process itself will not be a significant factor when determining current planning applications, meaning decisions on major housing schemes could be made years before the new strategy is adopted.
That timing is likely to prove controversial.
Public consultation on the new Local Plan is due to begin later this month, with residents invited to comment on the issues and challenges the document should address. A second consultation later this year will seek views on the plan’s emerging vision, objectives and policies.
However, council documents indicate that proposed housing allocation sites are not expected to be published until a further consultation takes place in 2028. By that stage, many of the developments currently working their way through the planning system may already have been determined.
The council says it has little choice but to proceed. Under new planning legislation, Erewash is legally required to prepare a new Local Plan and complete the process by April 2029. Councillors are therefore being asked to approve an additional £116,500 to help fund the technical studies and evidence required by national planning regulations.
The report estimates that specialist studies needed to support the plan will cost around £725,000, while the Planning Policy Team is expected to spend the next three years largely dedicated to the project.
As well as setting future housing policies, the Local Plan will address employment land, transport, climate change, flood risk, shopping centres, environmental protection, heritage assets and the future management of the Green Belt across Erewash.
The meeting agenda also includes a series of public questions from residents covering proposed development in Sandiacre, affordable housing provision in Long Eaton, the growth of HMOs, flood risk concerns and potential future development affecting Kirk Hallam.
With major housing applications already being submitted across the borough and growing debate over the future of Green Belt land, next week’s meeting could mark the beginning of one of the most important planning discussions Erewash has faced in recent years.
Meeting Details
The Extraordinary Council meeting takes place at 7pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026 in the Council Chamber at Long Eaton Town Hall.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe proceedings.