Houses for green border between Hucknall and city?
A NEW controversy could lead to houses being built on the last piece of green land that separates Hucknall from the city of Nottingham.
The row has flared over a privately-owned field next to Hucknall's boundary with Bulwell at the junction of Nottingham Road, Hucknall Lane and Hucknall bypass.
Well-known fairground operator James Mellors, who owns the field, is fighting for it to be taken out of the Green Belt so that new homes can be built there.
But Ashfield District Council claim that the land is "absolutely sacrosanct" because it provides an important break between Hucknall bypass and Bulwell Hall Estate.
And campaigners who fought to save the Wigwam playing fields, Whyburn Farm and the Garden Road allotments in Hucknall could be thrust into action again.
Over the years, the site of about three hectares has become a popular venue for events which include fairs and circuses.
The council need to find land in Hucknall for at least 3,600 new homes by 2026. But the field is not included in any of three options put forward by the authority in their regional spatial strategy as possibilities for development.
Mr Mellors claimed the field had been given the thumbs up as suitable for development from a highways point of view and was also found to be free from the risk of flooding.
He said: "The field should be used because it is near a tram stop and close to bus routes, schools and other services.
"The land falls within government criteria as suitable to be built on. The surrounding area has become more urbanised and the field has a hardcore surface. There is scope for about 120 houses and a care home on the land."
Robert Fletcher, of planning consultants Ian Baseley Associates, of Mansfield, claimed that the field was no different from Whyburn Farm, at the other end of the bypass, which is one of the council's options for development.
Mr Mellors tried unsuccessfully to get the field released from the Green Belt at a public inquiry into Ashfield Council's Local Plan review in 2001.
The dispute even led to a debate during the inquiry as to where Bulwell started and Hucknall ended.
Steve Dance, then the council's local plans manager, said the field was "absolutely sacrosanct" as a sensitive break between Hucknall and Bulwell, despite being merely a 60-metre gap.
And the council's planning projects and policy manager, Allan Whitelaw, stressed this week that the authority's position had not changed since 2001.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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