Work is under way to transform a vacant piece of land that has been 'underused for years' into a major shopping location. People living near the former Sandicliffe Ford and Mercedes showroom site, opposite Trent Bridge cricket ground in West Bridgford, have praised the project to create the mini retail park.
When the plans were first put forward for the site in Loughborough Road, it was reported developers wanted to open a sandwich bar, create a veterinary clinic and were interested in securing a "high-quality gym operator", as well as a "local prestige fish restaurant operator". The application was given the green light subject to certain conditions being met, including that works planned for the site must start within three years. More recently, another planning application was submitted to erect a 72-bed care home in Bridgford Road in West Bridgford.
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It would feature 18 en-suite rooms, landscaped grounds, staff and visitor car parking, cycle storage and an ambulance drop off area. Liz Hollier, 26, who lives in West Bridgford, just around the corner from the site, said: "A care home is probably a good idea for the area as it has got a lot of transport links around it which is good for elderly people. A retail park might be nice as well.
"Personally, I live just around the corner, so if I want to get food to eat or a nice evening, I have to walk all the way to Central Avenue. I guess from a selfish standpoint, it would be nice to have a restaurant or a bar there. I’m not sure the area is big enough but a cinema would have been nice."
Ana Freer, 19, a student at Nottingham Trent University who lives in West Bridgford, added: "There’s a lot of gyms and chip shops in the area. A new gym, Pure Gym, just opened opposite Roko so I don’t think those would be a good idea. I’m not sure what could be there instead though, West Bridgford already has a lot going on."
Warren Williamson, 47, who works in retail and lives in the area, added: "The site has been underused for years now. For years, it has just been vacant parking.
"As long as the traffic doesn’t get too bad from the care homes and the mini retail park, I don’t think it’ll be a bad thing. It’s better to be used.
"I would find another 24-hour Co-op being there useful, to be honest. One of the other two Co-ops in the area used to be open 24 hours but they had a lot of problems regarding theft, so they now shut at 10pm.
"When the cricket or football is on, you cannot really get into the store near Trent Bridge because it’s just so busy. When the test match with New Zealand was on the other week, the queues were massive."
Jean Whittaker, 85, a retired businesswoman living in Ruddington, added: "Care homes are more often than not, elderly people, and they have families visiting. So, I think the area definitely needs car parking.
"As regards to shops, I don’t think it’s necessary to have any more shops. The plan of having another Co-op when there are already other bigCo-ops in the area is not needed.
"But parking, definitely, you’ve got all these shops and people visiting because of the ground, they park everywhere and they say it’s a nightmare. A care home is great, and it should have ample parking space."
Cathal Moore, 20, a student at University of Nottingham, lives in Meadows and added: "A sports-themed bar would be grand. Very fitting in the area as well."
And Naomi Finnen, 22, a student at Nottingham Trent University from West Bridgford, said: "I think a gym sounds great but there’s literally one just built in Wilford, so I don't understand the need for another. I’d like to see the gym, but would also like a supermarket there that is cheap and easily accessible at all times."
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