A planning row has erupted between two Nottinghamshire councils over a 'life destroying' access to a planned housing estate. More than 100 houses would be built on the farmland off of Hayden Lane, Linby, if the development was given the go-ahead by Gedling Borough Council.
However, an application has recently been submitted to neighbouring Ashfield District Council for an access road from Delia Avenue and Dorothy Avenue in Hucknall to the prospective 135-home new estate. The land was allocated in Gedling Borough Council's Local Plan which was adopted in July 2018, but as the access falls within Ashfield District Council's jurisdiction local politicians in Hucknall have now railed against the plans and their potential impact on the town.
Councillors at Ashfield District Council have labelled the plans, which they say would impact Hucknall's services without the area getting any compensation, "monstrous". Councillor John Wilmott, Ashfield Independent Councillor for Hucknall North, said: “The building of 135 houses at the back of Hayden Lane is bad enough, but to want to build an access to these houses on two quiet cul-de-sacs, destroying the lives of the residents in that area is monstrous and Councillors Jim Blagden, Trevor Locke, Dave Shaw and Lee Waters will be putting in a strong objection to the proposals.
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"The new residents will be using Hucknall’s overstretched services, yet still no developer contributions are to be received from these houses towards Hucknall’s need.
"Transport contributions, new health provision, road improvements and education provision are all needed urgently to improve Hucknall’s infrastructure. The Labour Party who run Gedling Council have a reputation for spending infrastructure money miles away from Hucknall despite developments impacting our town. I am asking Hucknall’s Labour Councillors to put their money where their mouth is and demand that if this development goes ahead – the section 106 monies will spent be spent improving Hucknall. I won’t hold my breath on that one.”
Councillor Dave Shaw, Ashfield Independent Councillor for Hucknall North added: "We are totally opposed to any more development near Hucknall. The Section 106 [ a legal agreement between developer and the local planning authority] money will go to Gedling not here.
"We haven't got the doctors, dentists, schools - you name it and we do not have enough for these new homes. We do not have the infrastructure for it."
Locals when asked by Nottinghamshire Live shared their own concerns about the level of infrastructure in the town. Proposals to build 3,000 homes on greenbelt land at Whyburn Farm in Hucknall have previously been met with fierce criticism by Hucknall residents, leading to an ongoing campaign to stop the plans.
John Thaves, who lives on Ethel Road in Hucknall, said: "I am against it as it is on greenfield land, despite their being a shortage of houses it will impact producing food. There is an area in Newstead that could have houses there but they do it on the greenfield as it is cheaper.
"There is no infrastructure, I’ve lived here since 1964 and can’t see the doctor or dentist because of the amount of people living in this area, they could repair the roads and other things like that instead of building even more houses, there is nothing done for current residents.
Bill Elson, a plasterer who lives on Ethel Road in Hucknall, said: "The houses have got to be built, it doesn’t bother me as I am a plasterer but a lot of the neighbours are moaning about it but the houses will end up being built.
"There is no way near enough infrastructure now, there isn’t enough room, especially in schools and doctors, there is a lot of new stuff being done but nothing being brought in for residents."
Ed Garnham, who is a dyslexia specialist who lives on Ethel Road in Hucknall, said: "I didn’t know about the new builds until a few days ago but the neighbours aren’t happy. I am happy to support everyone and I am amazed these things happen.
"It is baffling that houses are being built on the greenfield but it is too late to do anything. The noise of the construction isn’t good, especially for those of us who work from home."
A Gedling Borough Council Spokesperson said: “Gedling Borough Council has a statutory requirement to identify suitable locations in the borough for housing to meet the government’s housing targets and Land off Hayden Road, Linby has been identified as being suitable for development in the Local Plan which is supported by the independent Planning Inspectorate.
"Funding to mitigate the impacts of the development, known as a Section 106 Agreement, has not yet been allocated and a consultation will take place to decide how that will be used. The funding is used to support local infrastructure such as transport links, highways, schools and health care provisions that would benefit the local community, including residents in the neighbouring Hucknall.
"As with all planning applications, any comments and feedback will be taken into consideration when deciding if plans can be approved.”
In a planning document, Brownhill Hayward Brown architects on behalf of developer Barwood Homes, said: "The scheme proposes a high quality development of 135 dwellings with associated landscaping, parking and access. Hucknall is a sustainable and desirable location to live, benefiting from a range of local amenities and transport links.
"The proposal is of a scale that is proportionate to the size of the settlement, and will not have any adverse affects in terms of highway safety, amenity of neighbours, visual impact, heritage, ecology or any other environmental requirements.
"The scheme complies with all relevant national and local planning policies in terms of architectural detail, layout design, street and road design, parking design, landscape and green spaces. The proposals will create a high quality development which respects and complements the existing character of the surrounding area and local town context."
The planning application for the 135 houses is currently pending consideration by Gedling Borough Council. The access from Delia Avenue and Dorothy Avenue is currently pending consideration by Ashfield District Council.
