‘Why is it always houses?’
QUESTIONS OVER NEED FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT ON FORMER PRIMARY SCHOOL SITE
PEOPLE living in St Ann’s have questioned the need for housing on the site of a former primary school, with some saying there are already too many homes being built.
Elms Primary School, in Cranmer Street, closed over a decade ago in 2008.
Nottingham City Council have agreed to sell the empty site to development firm Blueprint and 66 homes are planned with a mixture of one, two, and three bedroom homes.
Prices are expected to range from £190,000 to £390,000 and none of the homes will be for rent.
The homes are set to be aimed at young professionals, couples, young families and downsizers.
The homes will be low energy, contemporary future-proof homes which focus on zero gas and high levels of insulation.
Sian Collins, 35, who is unemployed and lives in St Ann’s, said she thought those who were being negative should put themselves in the place of others in need of a home.
“I think this is a good area for houses, the only thing I worry about is it was hard enough getting a school place for my kids in the area and I have a two-year-old so I hope the new houses don’t affect school places,” she said.
“As much as people are against housing, I don’t mind it. You can’t win, people will complain about more housing but if they saw the waiting list for those who need housing you would think they would change their minds.”
That wasn’t echoed by Derek Smith, 75, who is retired and lives in the area.
“There’s too much housing they should turn it into a homeless shelter,” he said. “Other sites have turned into housing, there use to be a pub in the area where they let old bands play; there’s too much housing now.”
Carol Dean, 70, retired and also from St Ann’s, added: “Why can’t they build something else? I do remember the primary school. Why is it always houses?
“Once a building becomes available it’s like it needs to be turned into housing. Yes, we need houses but we don’t need them everywhere.
“We need things for the community especially after Covid and when everyone was locked down, people need to get out and about again.
“Let’s have a cafe or a bakery or something.”
Work will start on the site next year, with homes being available from late 2023.