Council’s plan for eco-offices at site of new village
SCHEME WILL HELP COUNTY CARBON-NEUTRAL GOAL
NEW council offices at a village planned at the site of Top Wighay Farm, where more than 800 homes are set to be built, are planned by Nottinghamshire County Council.
The new offices are part of plans to build a sustainable village, which already have outline permission.
The plans will bring 805 new homes and a new primary school and are estimated to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs and boost the economy by more than £873 million over a decade.
The new building would form part of plans to bring long-term savings for taxpayers by creating more carbon-neutral council buildings, generating income by leasing space within buildings, and co-locating with other public organisations.
The building is also planned to provide new, flexible workspace and accommodation for small and medium-sized businesses. This site is on land which has been approved for development in Gedling Borough Council’s local plan. None of the site is green belt land.
Councillor Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said: “We are an ambitious, forward-thinking council and have made a clear pledge to help meet the UK’S carbon-neutral targets by 2030 so it’s vital we invest now to make our buildings more energyefficient.
“The new building at Top Wighay will house services such as adult and children’s social care, which are currently based in leased office space. We will move out of buildings we pay rent for and bring services closer to the residents who need them the most, which will cut down on their travel time and help the environment. “This forms part of wider plans for more carbon-neutral buildings with the aims of saving money, improving quality for the benefit of communities across the county. We have focused on improving our buildings which offer services to some of our most vulnerable residents. “Top Wighay aims to be as carbon-neutral as possible and will be built to the highest of standards when it comes to sustainable buildings.” Councillor Girling continued: “We have taken all feedback into careful consideration and welcomed the support for our plans from many partners. We appreciate that traffic is a concern in the area, which is why footpaths, cycling routes and other forms of sustainable travel such as buses are at the heart of plans.
“Following feedback, access to the existing regular bus services (The Threes) will be improved thanks to new bus shelters with real-time displays in both directions on the A611. A direct pedestrian/cycle path to the A611 from the new council building will also provide quicker, more convenient access. Our plans will also include creating electric vehicle charging points in the staff car park area.”
This site is near the M1 and Hucknall is well served by tram and rail, with links to Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield and Chesterfield. Infrastructure includes an expanded roundabout on the A611/annesley Road, a signalcontrolled junction and a threemetre shared-use footway/cycle lane on the northern side of the A611. This work has already helped to limit the impact of traffic on nearby towns and villages.
Subject to planning approval, work is planned to start early next year. The building will be delivered though the Arc Partnership, on behalf of the council.
It’s vital we invest now to make our buildings more energy-efficient
Councillor Keith Girling