Wheeldon and Places for People have applied to turn the proposed development behind Plumptre Road, Langley Mill into 100% social housing. 

This is detrimental to the village because;

• The village already had 25% social housing in 2021, prior to the railways sidings site being granted. The national & amber valley average is 14%. The National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan say that development should promote "mixed and balanced communities" and that affordable housing percentages should be greater in higher value areas, such as Belper and Duffield and that Heanor and Langley mill should have lower allocations. Disproportionate allocation of social housing increases deprivation, and Langley Mill is one of the most deprived places in the Borough as it is. A deviation from policy should be decided by committee not a planning officer. 
• Local contributions to education were removed last year because it "wasn't viable" for them to provide any affordable housing. If it is in fact viable these should be reinstated. 
• The site is a flood plain, but it was conveniently downgraded before the application was submitted. The drainage design was prior to Storm Babet, when Asda island was waist deep in water. This needs to be revisited and revised to ensure those downstream on Cromford road don't experience increased flooding, they are already in the highest risk zone.
• The traffic survey took place before Chapelgate completed, before the sidings was granted and prior to the Wernick distribution site being operational. The report therefore saying it won't impact traffic on Cromford road is out of date. 
• The site is rich in wildlife and full of wildflowers as its remained unplowed for many years. Many Great Crested newts have been found in the gardens adjacent to the site. But the developers survey thinks the site has no ecological significance. 
• The proposed homes do not meet national space standards. The developers say they can't make them bigger, but they have left space for 9 more plots to do at a later date.