More than 100 'much-needed' family homes will be built on Nottingham playing fields. A 130-home development will be built on playing fields next to Westbury School on St Martins Road, Bilborough, after Nottingham City Council's planning committee followed a recommendation to approve the scheme on April 19.
The site is currently owned by the City Council, pending sale to applicant Strata, and was allocated for housing development in 2020. The development would be made up of a mixture of terrace, semi-detached and detached properties with 26 properties being classed as affordable housing.
Claire Linley, head of planning at Strata, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning consent for our second scheme in this part of Nottingham. Marrons has really helped Strata to build strong working relationships with Nottingham City Council planning officers and their in-house urban design and highways teams. We can’t wait to get on site to start delivering these much-needed family homes.”
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The 6.16 hectare site was allocated for housing development by Nottingham City Council in 2020. As a result of the planning application’s approval, Strata will make monetary section 106 contributions, including almost £400,000 towards extra secondary school facilities, and more than £60,000 towards employment and training opportunities.
The development will create around 403 full-time equivalent jobs during construction, while the local economy will also benefit from increased footfall in local shops and businesses – boosting their vitality and viability. Construction work is due to commence in July 2023.
Jenny Keen, planning director at Marrons, who led on the planning application, said: “We have worked closely and proactively with Nottingham City Council from an early stage in the planning process, so we are absolutely thrilled this development has been given the go-ahead.
“The UK is grappling with a national housing crisis and this brand-new community in a wholly sustainable location is a huge step towards addressing this emergency. This development will provide high-quality, attractive and distinctive family homes and, in particular, a high number of much-needed three-bedroom properties.
“Bilborough benefits from numerous local facilities and services, which are easily accessible by public transport, walking and cycling, while being in close proximity to Nottingham city centre and just a 20-minute drive from the railway station. Strata has an outstanding record of delivering residential schemes across the country and we are looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
Seven objections were received from neighbours, raising the concerns over the potential for increased traffic and accidents, the loss of wildlife, and that new houses would strain local services. Nottingham Open Access Forum, which was consulted during the planning process, said it accepted the site was designated for development but highlighted its fears over the proposed removal of vegetation, biodiversity net gain provision, and the removal of trees.
But a Nottingham City Council planning officer, advising councillors to approve the project in a report to the committee, said: "The proposed residential layout has been designed to ensure a good standard of outlook for future occupiers and separation distances between properties are adequate. The layout would ensure that there is no significant degree of overlooking or the loss of light for the future occupants
"It is considered that a sufficient number of parking spaces is being provided throughout the layout, with visitor car parking spaces additionally being available. Overall, it is considered that the level of traffic generated by the proposals can be accommodated and would have no material impact on the safe operation of the local highway, nor would it significantly add to any congestion at the peak times on the local network."
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