After months of planning and hard work we are truly delighted that Amber Valley Borough Council granted planning permission at the year-end for what will be our biggest ever development project.

This £40m, 16-acre scheme, being built in partnership with Miller Homes, will create 180 homes in Somercotes, Derbyshire, to the south east of Alfreton. The project is due to complete in 2028 and will provide a mixture of affordable rent and shared ownership units.

The project has not been without challenges as local residents have concerns about a nearby plot of land that was previously used as a waste disposal site. However extensive surveys and ground investigations have found no evidence of cross contamination and the site has been given a clean bill of health for development. We continue to work with the local community to address any concerns and, as with any development scheme, have systems in place to minimise general disruption while construction takes place.

As part of the planning agreement Futures will also contribute close to £1.5m towards community projects including a play area and local education services.

“Amber Valley has always been at the heart of Futures and so we’re really pleased to be embarking on a project of this scale that will very significantly increase the available stock of affordable homes. And with around 20,000 people on waiting lists for social housing across Derbyshire, the demand for properties like these is clear,” says Ceri Theobald, Group Director of Strategic Partnerships & Growth at Futures.