Plans are being prepared for a three-storey, 75-bedroom care home on a controversial area of green space behind the Rutland Cottage in Ilkeston.
Mercian Developments Limited has opened a public consultation on proposals for the 1.43-acre field on the southern side of Wardlow Road.
The company says it intends to submit a planning application for a care home providing specialist accommodation for older people.
Under the draft proposals, the building would contain 75 bedrooms across three storeys. A car park with 27 spaces would be created alongside separate spaces for ambulances and delivery vehicles.
Vehicle access would be taken from Wardlow Road.
The proposed building would be positioned centrally within the site. The developer says existing woodland areas would be retained, with additional trees planted around the edge of the land.
Draft plans, elevations, landscaping drawings, shadow assessments and computer-generated images have been published as part of the consultation.
Controversial sale of green space
The field was marketed for development by commercial property agents Innes England earlier this year and was listed as being under offer by May.
Sales particulars described it as green open space currently used for recreation, but said it was considered suitable for residential development, subject to planning permission.
The land was previously at the centre of considerable public opposition when Erewash Borough Council proposed disposing of it as part of a wider programme of asset sales.
Hundreds of residents opposed its potential sale, while a petition attracted more than 300 signatures.
Concerns included the loss of an area used for walking, recreation and community activities, as well as the possible effect on wildlife and neighbouring homes.
The council previously described the land as surplus to requirements and said proceeds from asset sales could support investment, regeneration and other council projects.
Application has not yet been submitted
The newly published care-home proposal is at the pre-application stage.
Mercian Developments is running its own consultation before finalising the plans and submitting a formal planning application to Erewash Borough Council.
This means the proposals have not been approved and are not yet being considered through the council’s formal planning process.
If an application is submitted, residents should have a further opportunity to make representations directly to the council before a decision is made.
The developer says responses received during the current consultation will be considered, although it will not respond to each comment individually.
The consultation closes on Friday 4 September 2026. The draft proposals and consultation form can be viewed at: https://haveyoursay.wales/ilkeston-wardlow-road/