Developer warns: Objections will only lead to more homes
REVISED PLAN HAS FEWER APARTMENTS THAN APPROVED APPLICATION FOR BERRY HILL HALL
THE firm behind plans to build new homes next to an “idyllic” Mansfield park has urged residents to quash their objections to the development.
There was a public outcry over proposals for nine houses and 12 apartments on land at Berry Hill Hall, with residents fearing its view from neighbouring Berry Hill Park will be lost.
The plans would mean 11 buildings built on the gardens of the historic hall, leaving space in the centre to maintain the “vista” of the hall from Berry Hill Park.
The planning application has led to concerns from the local community, with a petition amassing 600 signatures and 75 objections submitted to Mansfield District Council’s planning portal.
But developers have warned residents to reconsider their objections, saying the outcome “could be much worse” if plans are not approved.
The land already has extant planning permission for a four-storey apartment block and more than 60 homes, but developers One Fine Day lodged reduced plans earlier this year. Under the revised scheme the number of homes has been significantly cut down, with developers wanting to be “sympathetic to the surroundings”.
However, Russ Sidebottom, managing director of the firm, urged people opposing the plans to think twice about objecting – saying if the plans are declined “we will go ahead” and build the initial amount instead.
“Why they have come now with this when there’s existing planning permission for homes and apartment blocks I don’t know,” he told the Post. “Surely what we are trying to do is authentic because it lowers the amount of properties being built on the land. The amount has been lowered substantially.
“We have already put two houses up where there was planning for 22 homes, everything we are doing is in the benefit of the residents.
“If they are successful in getting this development refused, we will go ahead and build the amount the land has planning permission for.
“We have invested thousands of pounds in getting planning permission, we have put together a scheme backed by the heritage officer and spoken to everyone we can.
“They can want what they want, but there is existing planning permission for a four-storey block of apartments and we will build it if these reduced plans are declined.”
Robert Bailey, 56, who grew up in the Berry Hill area, set up the petition.
He said: “It is one of the most ancient lawns in Notts. It naturally blends in with the hall and the rest of the park, but it could be lost in favour of dull urbanisation.
“Wth all the urbanisation of the area, particularly the south of Mansfield, there’s been all these new houses and yet no new parks.”