Neighbours in a Nottinghamshire village where 'everybody knows each other' say they have no problems with plans to create a new housing development in the area. Residents in the former mining village of Blidworth, near Mansfield, have praised their home's community spirit and believe this will continue even if the village grows.
Plans for 81 homes on New Lane in Blidworth, which were approved in 2020, are currently subject to an application to alter the appearance of the properties that will be built. A proposal put forward for 21 houses on land off Marriott Lane in the village was refused in March 2021.
Locals said there was a strong sense of community in the village. Andy Bryan, 38, who works in construction and grew up in Blidworth, said there was a 'pit village camaraderie' between neighbours.
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"It's a nice village and you have that pit village camaraderie, you mostly know everyone around here. Everyone knows your family and your business, everyone's friendly to one another.
"I think people are getting priced out of Ravenshead. So they're want to move to houses here and then you get more homes built.
"It's quite small but there's a lot of land around here that's not developed and where are people supposed to live if houses aren't built?
"I can't see a problem with it. Even know I used to walk and play on the fields where houses are going to be."
Paul Simpson, 67, who is retired and lives in Blidworth, added: "I've lived here for 15 years and it's a good place to be. I mostly moved here because most things are within walking distance.
"We have a supermarket, other shops and a post office. Unlike a lot of places we still have a library as well.
"We have the facilities for more people to live here I think. It just comes down to whether you can get the people, like bringing new doctors here.
"People always complain about more houses coming to villages but others have to live. I don't think we are overwhelmed by houses, there has not been a lot of development here when you look at other places."
More houses are planned in the neighbouring village of Rainworth. Planning is ongoing for 200 new properties on land at Three Thorn Hollow Farm, Blidworth Lane, Rainworth.
An anonymous Blidworth retiree added they 'knew no one that wanted to leave' the village. "I do not know anyone who is unhappy living here. Unlike some other places people do not say they want to move away," she said.
"It's a nice, quiet little village. I was born and bred here and it has changed a lot in that time, but you get used to it.
"I've never had any problems here with anyone, people are friendly. There's never a lot of people about so I do not think that it is too busy for more homes to be built here."
