Thousands of new jobs and school in homes masterplan
VAST GAMSTON FIELDS DEVELOPMENT REVEALED
DEVELOPERS have revealed a masterplan to build more than 2,000 homes and a school near to an airport off the A52.
The Gamston Fields scheme is expected to deliver around 3,800 new jobs, hundreds of affordable homes, large areas of public space and add around £120 million to the local economy over the coming years.
The first phase of the development, located off Tollerton Lane and the A52, will include 2,250 homes, a primary school, local neighbourhood centre, a hot food takeaway and shop.
Taylor Wimpey and Barwood Land have worked together to create an overarching plan for the whole site and have submitted an outline planning application which, if given the goahead would mean the development can be built in principle.
The land, to the east of Gamston and north of Tollerton, is part of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Local Plan for 4,000 houses, employment space, new schools and other community facilities.
A spokesman on behalf of Barwood Land and Taylor Wimpey said: “We have worked together for a long time to bring forward our masterplan and this first planning application for Gamston Fields.
“The masterplan is expected to deliver c3,800 new jobs, hundreds of affordable homes, large areas of public open space and add c£120 million to the local economy over the coming years.
“This investment is much-needed in the current climate and we look forward to working with the borough council and a range of other local stakeholders to bring this scheme forward in partnership.”
The proposals for the first phase also include a new roundabout from the A52 Lings Bar Road onto Tollerton Lane and Ambleside, with additional new highways infrastructure and retail provision through a new neighbourhood centre.
Areas of public open space and parks are also proposed.
The masterplan for the wider allocated site includes land for a secondary school and another new primary school.
The land for the first primary school forms part of this planning application, while the land for the second primary school and secondary school would come forward through future planning applications.
The neighbourhood centre would likely include a range of retail, business and community uses, such as a small convenience supermarket.
The final range of services and retail provision would be subject to local market demand.
The application states that 230 hectares of the land allocation are in the control of four parties: Barwood Land, Nottinghamshire County Council, Taylor Wimpey and Wells/nottingham Airport.
While not part of the initial plans where developers hope to build the 2,250 homes, the application clarifies that the wider allocation site for possible development in the future includes the Nottingham City Airport, farmland and a few commercial buildings.
It wraps around the area historically used for airportrelated activities, which has now in part been redeveloped, including the Spire Hospital, which is expected to remain unaffected by the development.
The developers confirmed the current aviation operations on site would not be affected by the initial planning application and will continue to operate until any potential development comes forward for the remainder of the allocation site in the future.
A specialist aviation consultant has advised on the planning application, to ensure that the first stage of the proposals do not disrupt the ongoing operations at the airfield.
In the years since the site was allocated for development, no detailed plans had been submitted by any of the site’s landowners - until now.
Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, who represents Gamston North for the Conservatives on the council, said: “What the borough council has made absolutely clear is we will not look at that site until we are absolutely sure a masterplan is in place.
“There has to be a plan in place so everyone fairly puts in part of their land for this communal space and the shops and the green open spaces so it’s a fair distribution.”
He added a masterplan was important in ensuring there wouldn’t be a “detrimental impact on Tollerton, Gamston, and the other surrounding areas”.
The Post attempted to contact the airport for comment but had not received a response by the time this edition went to press.