Plans to use two Hucknall cul-de-sacs as access to a new Gedling Council-approved housing development have been deferred by Ashfield Council’s planning committee.

The controverisal plans for up to 131 new homes off Hayden Lane in Linby were approved by Gedling Council in 2023 as the development falls within its boundaries.

But the developers’ proposed access points – Delia Avenue and Dorothy Avenue – are both classed as Hucknall, meaning permission for their use is required from Ashfield Council.

Local residents and councillors have consistenty objected to the plans and Ashfield Council’s planning committee rejected the proposals in 2023 and again in 2024.

Plans to use Dorothy Avenue and Delia Avenue for site access to a new Gedling Council development have been deferred. Photo: Google

placeholder image — Plans to use Dorothy Avenue and Delia Avenue for site access to a new Gedling Council development have been deferred. Photo: Google

But the proposal was back before the committee again on June 10 despite being ‘no different’ in the eyes of Hucknall councillor John Wilmott (Ash Ind).

Meeting papers show officers were recommending the plans be approved.

Papers said: “It is considered that the proposed access roads from Dorothy Avenue and Delia Avenue are acceptable in planning terms.

"The proposal has been assessed having regard to its effects within Ashfield district and, on the basis of the submitted information and consultation responses, would not give rise to demonstrable harm to residential amenity, highway safety or the operation of the local highway network that would warrant refusal.

"Whilst the concerns raised by local residents are acknowledged, many relate to the wider residential development and therefore fall outside the scope of this application.

But the committee voted to defer the proposal instead and it will now go away for further scrutiny before returning before the committee again at a later date.

Coun Wilmott and fellow Hucknall councillor Gordon Mann (Ash Ind) both spoke at the meeting, as did a resident and all again were against the Hucknall roads being used for the site access.

Coun Wilmott, speaking to your Dispatch, said: “The committee put forward a number of issues and questions they were not happy with and it was decided that it should be deferred for more information to be found.

"Residents are totally against this and we are supporting them.

"Coun Mann also highlighted several other potential access points to the site that would ensure the cul-de-sacs would not be needed.

"So there are a lot of issues that need looking into still on this and that’s what we’ll now be doing.”