Representation by Friends of Little Eaton Canal (Friends of Little Eaton Canal)
- Date submitted
- 5 August 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The section that remains of the old Derby canal in Little Eaton is barely referred to in the PEIR. For example, there is no reference to the canal in sections 6.5.29 (The Derbyshire Historic Landscape Character) and 6.6.4 (Potential Cultural Heritage Impacts Identified During Preliminary Assessment). Nor in the Environmental Statement 6.4 published April 2019. A clear boundary outline for the main construction compound does appear in Figure 5.3 Proposed Little Eaton Junction. But I believe it is an omission not to make reference to this area and the impacts the main construction compound site will have within the preliminary and subsequent PEIR documents. Although unaffected by the A38 upgrade itself, the potential site for the main construction compound – which requires access – will have a negative impact on the heritage and environmental aspects of the canal and its surrounding woodland, which is a green corridor stretching approximately a kilometre from the Little Eaton A38 Junction heading north to Duffield Road. The canal, which still contains some of the original wall stones within its basin, dates back to 1796 and its continued existence and heritage is significant to Little Eaton. So much so that after working informally for some time, volunteers consulted the local community and formed a Friends of Little Eaton Canal (FLEC) group in 2017. Supported by Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Groundwork regular work parties and wildlife surveys take place. Access to the depot crossing the canal will disrupt FLEC’s project. Although Highways England’s intentions are that the depot and associated access are temporary, we believe by accessing the main construction compound via the B6179 a precedent could be set for future development on the land which abuts the canal to the west, which is in private ownership and was subject to an approach to the County Council some years ago for development by the current owners. The temporary site and access will be there for the duration of the project increasing concerns that it will end up being permanent. The area the access will take up will have a huge impact on the village: visually intrusive by going through an established wide, green verge and green corridor that is the canal. It will also bring more traffic flow to that part of the village and will cross a multi-use footpath. Furthermore, the area needed to site the main construction compound uses greenbelt land which is incredibly biodiverse and will be negatively impacted for years to come, again due to traffic movement to and from the depot and the siting of significant, albeit temporary buildings for staff and goods.