Defiant Hucknall residents and MP still determined to fight plans to build on town's green belt

More than 120 people packed into the meeting at Hucknall Town FC, organised by town MP Michelle Welsh (Lab).

The meeting came just 24 hours after the devastating news for residents and green belt campaigners that a Government planning inspector has overturned Ashfield Council’s decision to refuse planning for 100 new homes off Common Lane on Misk Hills after the inspector classified the land as ‘grey belt’.

With the threat of 3,000 homes being built on Whyburn Farm also hanging large in the air, residents have called on Ms Welsh and the town’s councillors to act to prevent any more development in the town with it’s already creaking infrastructure unable to take any more.

Topics of discussion included protecting wildlife, the lack of Hucknall representation on Ashfield Council’s planning committee and poor infrastructure.

Ms Welsh also shared her frustrations with the lack of Local Plan from Ashfield Council which has left areas like Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills at risk of development.

She said: “I’m pleased that so many residents came along to share their views.

"The strength of feeling is clear – as it always has been – and I’m proud to stand alongside residents in fighting against development on our beautiful green belt.

"The developers need to understand that we are not going away.”

Ms Welsh also confirmed at the meeting that she will continue to push for Misk Hills and Whyburn to be made a country park – so ensuring neither can be developed.

And in the wake of the Misk Hills decision by the Planning Inspectorate, she added that she was committed to exploring a ‘holding’ intervention to protect both Misk Hills and Whyburn Farm and will shortly be publishing a letter for residents to co-sign.

One resident commented: “I think it was a very positive meeting and hopefully plans to stop both developments are obtainable.”

But while there was praise from residents for Ms Welsh calling the meeting and announcing the intended actions she did, there was anger from many that none of the town’s 10 district councillors – nine of the whom are from the ruling Ashfield Independents – or Hucknall West county councillor Christopher Adegoke (Ref) were there.

One resident told your Dispatch: “It was an excellent and well-attended meeting by her staff and Hucknall people.

"However, I would like to ask why not a single councillor representing Hucknall West was present.

"Residents took the time to attend and engage—why didn’t those elected to represent them do the same?

"In particular, where was Reform councillor Christopher Adegoke?

"He was elected on a promise of change, yet his absence at such an important meeting raises serious concerns.

"Many residents may feel that, rather than improvement, representation has fallen short of expectations.

Your Dispatch has contacted Hucknall West councillors for comment.

Hucknall South county councillor Richard Darrington (Ref) was at the meeting and said: “I was disappointed to be the only councillor there, but it didn’t surprise me in all fairness.

"But it was positive, it was a great turnout and I’ll be writing to the Government immediately to ask for the holding motion – and I’ll tag Chris (Adegoke) into my letter too.

"Michelle has advised that that is the only option we’ve really got.

"I asked her if the criteria Ashfield Council has put forward in the new Local Plan is enough for it to be accepted and she said she thought it was, just.

"So hopefully, with Michelle’s influence, that can be approve as soon as possible.

“The worrying thing though is still the 100 houses on Misk Hills, they’re the key to that door, but all we can do is to keep fighting.”