Housing plans for precinct may cause ‘uproar’
A DECISION IS YET TO BE MADE ABOUT ROBIN HOOD CHASE SITE
COMMUNITY workers and residents in St Ann’s say plans to turn the Robin Hood Chase precinct into homes may cause “uproar” and have a far-reaching impact on generations to come.
Hyacinth Francis-watson is the project manager at the Chayah Development Project, which is based in Robin Hood Chase and aims to help break down stigmas and barriers that are associated with particular families and communities.
Ms Francis-watson said: “There is some structural damage around here but getting rid of it isn’t fair. At nighttime, here, it’s dead but in the summer, we put chairs out and feed people, we put music on when there are events. We do what we can. They [the city council] should invest in the area.”
The Chayah Development relies on funding and donations and Ms Francis-watson said that a lack of cash is a barrier to the work they can achieve.
“We’re begging for money, we do workshops and feed people, we do all sorts,” she said.
“I started doing volunteer work in 1999 and I didn’t get my first funding until 2016 - and it wasn’t even from Nottingham.
“We do need houses everywhere but what’s the point in doing that if there’s nothing to release people to? We have a knife crime outreach, we do food parcels and collect clothes, we try and support offenders and their families.
We won’t be able to do our jobs [if the company’s space gets demolished.]”
She said knocking down the buildings could have a serious impact on the community for years to come.
“The buildings around here aren’t perfect by any chance but I’d be concerned for people’s well-being if it was to go, shutting this down is a bad move,” said Ms Francis-watson.
“Here, it’s our practical office and we teach people to cook [for example] taking these down will be detrimental, the area should be regenerated.
“There’ll be more crime on the streets because people need a variety of places to go.”
Ms Francis-watson added that she thinks that Robin Hood Chase is historic to the area, and turning the space into houses would be “breaking down generations.”
There are currently seven units at the Robin Hood Chase, two are vacant, two others are not currently trading and the remaining three are in use by charity and social projects.
Cheryl Fryers, 56, moved out of St Ann’s 10 years ago but still lives in Nottingham.
Ms Fryers also thinks that getting rid of the Robin Hood Chase “isn’t needed.”
“Sometimes, things should just be left alone. When I think of St Ann’s, I think of the Robin Hood Chase. Turning it into houses would be such a big change for the area and a lot of people will be angry. I think there’ll be uproar.” Councillor Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Nottingham City Council said: “Nottingham City Council has accepted grant funding from the One Public Estate’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) for three sites across the city which could help to prepare the land at these sites for much needed housing.
“A number of different options are still under discussion and are being explored for the units at Robin Hood Chase in St Ann’s.
“No decision about the future of these buildings has yet been taken. The funding could help towards the costs of site clearance, should it be decided that this is the best option for the site, once all the options have been explored and assessed.”
Funding has been accepted, but will only be used if site clearance is recommended.