Worry over housing plans for ‘well-used’ recreation ground
RESIDENTS DON’T WANT TO LOSE THEIR GREEN SPACE
DOZENS of new council houses are being planned on a recreation ground despite strong opposition from neighbours who have labelled the project “ridiculous”.
As part of Ashfield District Council’s plans to build 200 new council homes by 2028 designs have now been submitted to build 40 houses on Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground, off Hardwick Lane in Sutton-in-ashfield.
The homes would be a mix of one, two, three and four-bed properties, including bungalows, flats, semidetached houses and townhouses. Construction firm Lindum Group, which has been appointed by Ashfield District Council to design and submit the scheme, has said all the houses built on the former playing field would be incorporated into the authority’s housing stock as 100%affordable accommodation.
However, those living next to the recreation ground have expressed their worries about the practicality of the plans. Some neighbours even feared they may have to move if the project goes ahead, citing the loss of the green space and traffic.
The worried residents have now made their feelings known by opposing the plans formally, with one local resident, Rebecca Elliott, saying: “How is this space even big enough for this amount of houses?
“Building on this land will take away a much loved, local space. I wholeheartedly object to this planning application. It would ruin the area.”
Michael Seller, of Main Road, added: “Building houses on a wellused recreation ground should only ever be a last resort. There is not sufficient evidence in the application to present a convincing case that investigation of other options has been exhausted.”
Michael Willmott, who lives on
Coburn Street, said: “This development will also deprive Leamington of the open space that is required, when there are so many brownfield sites available in Sutton.”
Ashfield District Council’s planning agent said the housing would make a “noteworthy contribution” to affordable housing provision in the wider Ashfield district. As well as the proposed bungalows, two of the two-storey properties would have a ground-floor bedroom and wet room to offer greater flexibility to the council when assigning housing to residents with specific needs.
A new access road would be created from Hardwick Lane, with speed “tables” on critical junctions to protect public safety.
In a planning application Lindum Group, on behalf of Ashfield District Council, said: “The proposed development is of a high-quality design that responds to the site’s conditions and respects the surrounding area.
“By developing this site, the affordable provision will assist with the shortfall of affordable housing within the Ashfield district. The proposals are therefore appropriate both in terms of the type of development proposed and in terms of the site conditions.” The planning application is pending consideration by Ashfield District Council.