Neighbours in Eastwood have shared their concerns over plans for a new 240-home development on a currently vacant site. The proposed plans are for a new development on land off Braemar Avenue, Eastwood.
The plans have been put forward to Broxtowe Borough council by applicants Gleeson Homes. Last year the plans were put forward for 251 homes where residents said 'we don't need more houses'. However, since then they have been amended and resubmitted to the local authority.
The plans have now been scaled down to 240 homes, with the project including public open space and roads to the site - which were a part of the original plans.
Read More: Run-down bungalow at popular beauty spot sold after fierce bidding
The development site would be accessed by Chewton Street, if approved. Residents in the area told Nottinghamshire Live there are concerns over lack of infrastructure and the amount of traffic that would be added to the area.
Linda Wicks believes Eastwood does not have enough facilities to accommodate the amount of homes. The 53-year-old support worker said: “The road is really bad so more traffic to add. The high street used to be really good for shops, now we just have charity shops. How are we going to sustain a whole 240 houses?
“It’s for houses because people need them. But Eastwood has grown and they haven’t changed anything inside it. There’s just not enough shops and how the schools are going to cope, I don't know.”
However, despite the concerns over the lack of improvements in Eastwood, the borough council has recently submitted a £20m bid for levelling up cash to fund a new swimming pool, a health and wellbeing hub and improvements to the cycle network.
Garry Melville, a warehouse worker, highlighted the lack of infrastructure in the area. The 55-year-old said: “As long as there’s no through road onto the estate. There’s not many schools around. Dentists, the leisure facilities, and doctors, that’s three big things. You're going to get 250 [homes], if every house has maybe two children. Where are they going to go? They’re going to cram the schools.”
Another resident Shirley Dickinson, 63, said: “There is a concern with the environmental side. Also, the road, the street is busy as it is. I don’t object to the houses being built, all we want to know is - with the environmental and safety issues - if it’s safe. It would be nice to know.”
In addition, another resident who didn’t want to be named said she shared concern over the roads and needing to accommodate 240 additional homes in the area.
He said: “I think the lack of doctors, schools and facilities in the area is a major concern. I think that those 200-plus homes need to be accommodated too. Not only this but the infrastructure within the roads, it’s currently far too busy now. For me, the house building isn’t an issue, they just need to be built somewhere more suitable or at least add more facilities to the area.”
A spokesperson for Gleeson Homes said: “In relation to the concerns that have been raised around infrastructure and roads, we are working closely with the local authority and Nottinghamshire County Council highways authority. Any matters raised are being addressed through a detailed design consultation and a strategy will be implemented prior to commencement.
"Furthermore, we have recently carried out ground investigations, which concluded that the land is habitable and has appropriate mitigation, highlighting no concerns for the development of this land. The Council’s Environmental department has also recently confirmed they are happy with the findings.
"Gleeson is dedicated to ensuring the housing market better serves young first-time buyers and families on low to average incomes making homeownership a reality. We build affordable, quality homes, where they are needed, for the people who need them most.”
READ NEXT:
