Council investigates car storage site near village

Farm land being used to store a large amount of vehicles near a village in Derbyshire is being investigated by a council.

South Derbyshire District Council says work at the property in Derby Road, just outside Hatton, began without planning permission, and any further work had ceased.

Residents living near the site have expressed concerns its use could worsen flooding in the area.

The owner of the land declined to comment when approached by the BBC and would not share details of the tenant.

Nicholas Carter-Roe, 36, who lives on a nearby estate, said: "It doesn't make any sense to me. I've always known it as farm land, I've lived in this village all of my life.

"It's the fact that it's come out of nowhere. It's been done opposite the estate with no prior consent.

"We've already got concerns about people parking on the road around here and it's just going to add to that.

"It's bad enough that some of the roads are narrow around here anyway. I just think it's going to cause problems."

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous said: "They were working at 1am to 3am with plant machinery.

"When we bought the house, it was a field and farm land.

"The field that they have renovated is a designated flood plain. We don't know what the outcome or the consequence of the land transformation they have done will have.

"It just looks terrible - even the fence line that they've built is not straight.

"The whole thing has not been done with care or procedure for the land that it was supposed to be, and also because they've not had planning permission.

"You've also got the issue of whether that devalues the property."

However Andy Slinn, who also lives nearby, said: "If it's gone through a proper flood risk assessment, then what they do with it, as long as they're not making noise or creating mess, I don't mind."

A statement from South Derbyshire District Council said: "This is an ongoing investigation.

"The council has visited the site on Derby Road and contact has been made with the occupant and landowner.

"A retrospective application is due to be submitted in the next two to three weeks."

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