Gedling Borough Council defers Top Wighay plan

A Linby campaign group is ‘pleased’ by Gedling Borough Council’s deferment of a planning decision on land at Top Wighay.
Top Wighay site.Top Wighay site.
Top Wighay site.

Plans submitted by Strata Homes to build 38 houses on land off Annesley Road and Wighay Road went before the planning committee on Wednesday evening. Despite officers recommending approval a decision was delayed.

Brownfield 1st, the Linby campaign group which has been fighting plans to build at Top Wighay, submitted its objections to what is the first phase of a development to build up to 1,000 homes on the open fields at Hucknall’s gateway.

Representatives of the group attended the planning meeting prepared to raise their concerns.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Simon Molsom, of Linby Parish Council, said: “Whilst we are pleased to see this matter deferred so councillors have all the information before them, we remain extremely concerned that the promises and commitments made to the independent inspector at the Aligned Core Strategy by Gedling and the county council are being reneged on.

“The inspector and local representatives were assured there would be a new development brief and a strategic transport assessment. Neither is in place.

“The original Top Wighay brief did not allow for access off Wighay Road and we believe this should remain so. The Parish Council will be taking this whole matter further.”

The controversial site forms part of the Gedling Council’s Aligned Core Strategy despite it being in neighbouring Ashfield which has prompted much debate.

Linby parish councillor, Denise Ireland, said: “We have recently been given assurances by Gedling Council that there would be no piecemeal developments in the absence of the crucial overall frameworks.

“The Parish Council is seeking urgent talks with Gedling Borough Council over these issues.”

On Friday, a Gedling Borough Council spokesman said: “The application has been referred for consideration of the revised highway comments made at the committee meeting and to allow time to brief members. The application will be considered by the Committee in due course.”