Appeal for no extra houses in Hucknall
THE PLEA from councillors and residents is for ‘no more new homes for Hucknall above what are already planned’ in response to a new consultation.
People of Hucknall are being given a chance to have their say on the future of the town and the rest of the Ashfield district.
Bosses at Ashfield District Council are currently preparing a Local Plan which will address the growing population which is forecast in the coming decade.
A council spokesman said: “Ashfield is changing. By 2023, the district’s population is set to rise by approximately nine per cent and land for some 7,094 new homes will have to be found in the district.
“New jobs, shops and leisure provision will also be required.”
The council is currently preparing for these changes through the production of the new Local Plan which will ultimately replace the current Ashfield Local Plan Review of 2002.
A consultation about the proposals will continue until November 9 and the council wants to involve as many local people in this process as possible.
The Local Plan sets out how Ashfield will grow and develop over the next ten years, and provides the policies which will be used to make decisions on planning applications.
It also allocates specific sites for development to meet the need for a range of uses including housing, employment, retail, leisure and transport. It also provides protection for areas of environmental importance, such as countryside and local nature reserves.
Coun Chris Baron, a Hucknall Labour member of the council, said: “The Local Plan can be said to carry forward what has already been proposed in the Local Development Framework.
“I think the existing housing allocation for Hucknall is quite sufficient as it is.
“The crucial proposal as far as the town is concerned will be the masterplan for 900 homes and a business park on the Rolls-Royce site.
“I am well aware of concerns expressed about the traffic implications for Watnall Road and Hucknall bypass.
“But the most important factor is that the business park will provide up to 2,000 jobs. Employment opportunities are absolutely crucial.”
The council’s deputy leader, Coun John Wilmott (Lab), also of Hucknall, said the Rolls plan was the only Hucknall proposal of major significance in the Local Plan.
At a consultation about the Rolls proposals, some residents said the homes planned there should be enough for Hucknall and other proposed developments near the town, including 1,000 homes at Top Wighay Farm, should be scrapped.
To view the consultation, visit www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/localplansconsultation. Copies are available at the council office on Watnall Road, Hucknall and at the town’s library, where there an exhibition is taking place throughout the consultation.
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Weather for Hucknall
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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