‘We have for 80 years looked out onto fields’
NEIGHBOURS’ CONCERN OVER HOUSES PLANNED FOR BEHIND THEIR GARDENS
PEOPLE whose gardens back on to land where 120 properties have been given the go-ahead fear the development will spoil their view in an area known for flooding.
The new houses are proposed for former greenbelt land between Burton Road and Linden Grove, in Gedling, and the project has been approved in ‘principle,’ ahead of detailed plans being submitted.
But the development has been met with objection from residents, with a range of concerns, in a street that borders the land.
Margaret Wood, 87, a retired lecturer of Linden Grove, was concerned about the prospect of land flooding.
Describing the plans as “ridiculous”, she said: “It’s dreadful, we have got the dyke at the bottom of our garden, they don’t sort of see to that.
“You can see the water all on the top, it really is awash. I’m not exaggerating.”
Service manager William Cox, 58, who also lives in Linden Grove, explained he was concerned as “human slurry” had been disposed of in the area in the past.
He added: “They are all two-storey buildings, should we have two-storey buildings overlooking one-storey buildings?
“The house was built in 1940, we have for 80 years looked out on to fields.
“We have raised all sorts of questions about how it’s overlooking and noise and suitability of the land.”
Retired David Swain, who used to work in the construction industry, and lives in Linden Grove, said when he bought his property “our rear hedge was the boundary between the outer Nottingham and start of the greenbelt”, and “there was a distinct line”.
“That is one of the reasons that attracted me to the property - we looked onto the greenbelt.
“I thought it would always have some sort of outlook on to fields - and not developments.”
After months of talks - to do with the section 106 contribution associated with the project - outline planning permission has been granted by Gedling Borough Council.
Such permission allows the homes to be built ‘in principle’ but more detailed proposals must be submitted.
The Section 106 agreement is the money a developer will pay towards local infrastructure improvements.
The site is owned by Midlands Land Portfolio Limited (MLPL), the property development arm of Severn Trent, with Northern Trust acting as their planning promotion partner.
Mark Foss, 60, a retired nurse of Linden Grove, said once new roads were built in the area, such as the A612 Colwick Loop Road, new houses and “infill” were inevitable.
He said he “used to be able to walk out from a gap in the hedge”, saying: “Ten years ago I liked having access to the countryside, once the road was in place the house building was inevitable. And people need houses.
“My greatest feeling about it is that I am saddened it won’t be field behind me anymore. But sometimes the good of other people comes over one’s own, and the need of other people has to take priority.”
Up to 20 percent of the new homes are expected to be ‘affordable,’ with new public open space, financial contributions towards primary school provision, library and health facilities and bus stop enhancements.
Speaking previously, John Tootell, strategic land and planning executive at Northern Trust, said: “This development will deliver an important allocation within the Gedling Local Plan, will provide much-needed housing and affordable housing within Gedling and will provide significant investment into the local area.”
The land is near the £40m Gedling Access Road under construction to link the A612 Trent Valley Road and Nottingham Road to Mapperley Plains.