An outdoor events centre will appeal a decision to close it over fears its continued use would impact Nottinghamshire's greenbelt. Two businesses, B2B and Into the Forest, had hoped to get formal planning permission to continue to host laser tag, archery, an outdoor cinema, an expansive maize maze, and bushcraft events off Lime Lane in Arnold, where both had operated unauthorised since 2015.
But Gedling Borough Council's planning committee refused permission for this to continue on Wednesday, June 21. Despite some councillors hailing the event site as "amazing", the planning officer's advice to reject the plans due to their impact on the greenbelt was followed by the planning committee.
A spokesperson for B2B said the business would appeal the decision in the hopes the Planning Inspectorate would overrule the council and allow them to continue trading. They added: "We have been given 56 days from when they decide to issue the papers, and we are going to appeal as soon as possible."
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Speaking at the meeting neighbour Sunil Vidhani said locals had been "severely impacted by the continued unauthorised operations". Mr Vidhani said the greenbelt would be harmed by allowing the activities to continue, adding: "In addition to harmful greenbelt impacts, myself and my wife along with other local residents have suffered significant harm from the noise and bright flashing lighting [from cinema events].
"We and other neighbours have been complaining to the council since their inception a few years ago. [The cinema events] have been on many consecutive weekends until 11 o'clock at night throughout the summer - just when we want to relax in our gardens after a hard week's work." Mr Vidhani also claimed the noise had kept children awake and that neighbours could hear "every single word" of the films.
Gedling Borough Council said it had received “regular complaints” about the site relating to noise and anti-social behaviour since July 2022, after attention was brought to the venue by two festivals. Applicant and landowner Edward Hammond, who explained his family have farmed in Arnold since 1901, said the businesses made good use of land and provided benefits to the public.
"Agricultural subsidies are coming to an end - diversification is essential for farming businesses to address this. I have been fortunate to become a custodian of this land for no other reason but what my relatives had achieved.
"It shouldn't be just me who benefits from what I have had the privilege to grow up around. Working with operators such as Back 2 Basics and Into the Forest provide a means of opening up this private land to the public - to enable recreational exercise and fun."
As the meeting was opened up to committee members, councillor Jane Walker agreed with the land owner. "This outdoor activity centre, I think, is an amazing asset to Gedling Borough Council and the wider area, I can't think of another centre like it in the borough. This event centre is there for everyone to enjoy, the company employs local people which is excellent for the local economy, and I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages," she said.
The council's planning committee was told by a planning officer that structures like the maze spectator stand, portals, and cinema stage would be removed for part of the year, if plans were approved. An advert stand and solar panels had also been removed, but planning officers still did not endorse the plans.
Several committee members were disappointed that a compromise could not be found. "I felt that there was a solution to be found. I am genuinely sorry that appears not to have been possible. Unfortunately I feel I still cannot vote for what is in front of us," Councillor Paul Wilkinson said.
The rejection of the retrospective planning permission was carried by councillors. Enforcement action was also carried, meaning the businesses will have to stop using the site for unauthorized events and activities, if the appeal is unsuccessful.
