Huge industrial estate on the way

For members of Ashfield District Council's planning committee have granted conditional outline planning permission for a development of industrial units with a total floorspace of 560,000 sq ft – the equivalent of 1,100 family houses.

The site, Blenheim Park, off Blenheim Road, Bulwell, lies south of Hucknall Aerodrome and east of Bulwell Wood, which is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Previously used as a quarry, it also lies to the north of the already well-established Blenheim Lane Industrial Estate in Bulwell.

The site has been allocated for employment land in the Ashfield Local Plan, which is a blueprint for development in the district and includes thousands of houses scheduled to be built in Hucknall over the next decade.

Speaking at the planning committee meeting, Coun John Wilmott (Lab), of Hucknall, said: "This is an area in the Local Plan that went through a number of years of consultation. It was decided to put it in as an employment site and regeneration initiative.

"We are hoping that a number of job opportunities will become available and that it will create a number of new businesses."

The planning application for the development has been submitted by Wilson Bowden Developments and is supported by comprehensive studies, including a wind turbulence report, transport assessment, landscape and visual-impact assessment, design statement, landscape management plan and ecological survey result.

It is the first step towards a full application, complete with details of the number of industrial units to be built.

If and when full permission is granted, work on the site is likely to take up to ten years.

The major concern over the development is how it will affect wildlife, including badgers, bats, white-clawed crayfish and birds.

Coun Mark Harrison (Green) told the meeting: "I'm concerned about the lack of a bird survey.

"There would be loss of habitat for mammals, while loss of lighting (through buildings being erected) will impact on bats and badgers.

"I would like conditions to protect badgers and save as many hedges as possible. I would also like to see wildlife corridors set up, so animals can find their way to the SSSI.

"Hedgerows should be kept to a maximum height because this will screen the industrial units and make them more attractive."

The meeting heard that, although a badger set had been found, there is no evidence that it is still being used.

It was also planned to build a 25-metre-wide landscaped buffer zone around the site to help protect wildlife.

Councillors also placed a condition that no vegetation should be destroyed or removed between January and September so as to protect habitats.

Other concerns came from the Merlin Flying Club, based at the aerodrome, which claimed the units would restrict their light-aircraft activities.

But the council was told that any buildings would be sufficiently distanced from the aerodrome's runway.