By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors fear the further use of greenbelt land could lead to more flooding as Gedling Borough Council tries to meet its new housing targets.
During a meeting on November 16 Cllr Sam Smith (Con), who represents Trent Valley, questioned whether more greenbelt land needed to be “concreted” over for new homes.
His question came after he and fellow Trent Valley councillor Mike Adams had to assist people in Burton Joyce after the village flooded in October.
They fear more villages may be at risk of flooding if more housing is built on the greenbelt and green spaces, amid the drafting of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan.
The plan sets out housing development sites across Broxtowe, Gedling, Nottingham and Rushcliffe up until 2038.
The four authorities are drawing up the plan together, and each council’s cabinet will then vote on a preferred approach document later this year before it is put to the public.
Cllr Sam Smith (Con), asked the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, Jenny Hollingsworth (Lab), for comment on his concerns during a meeting of the full council.
Cllr Smith said: “My residents of Trent Valley and I are fed up with our greenbelt and green spaces being concreted over with yet more housing.
“We have all seen the negative impact and contribution that this has had on the recent flooding of Burton Joyce.
“Can the Cabinet member responsible for planning confirm that no land will be taken out of the Borough’s existing green belt to enable housing allocations as part of this Council’s contribution to the Greater [Nottingham] Strategic Plan?”
Cllr Hollingsworth replied to say Gedling Borough Council would fail to meet its housing requirements if greenbelt land is not used during the expansion of developments including nearby Teal Close, where hundreds of homes are proposed.
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the playground at the new school in Teal Close needed to be “built-up” as otherwise children “would have needed armbands instead of skateboards”.
“You can only imagine what extra houses would do,” he added.
The flooding concerns come after Ashfield councillors also raised issue with the Top Wighay Farm site off the A611 Annesley Road bypass in Linby.
It is now understood 1,445 homes could be built on the land at Top Wighay between 2024 and 2038 if the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan is approved.
While the development sits in the Gedling Borough, it has caused concerns about its potential impact on Ashfield’s health services.
In her response Cllr Hollingsworth added: “The draft Greater Nottingham Preferred Strategic Approach Document was recently shared with a reconvened cross-party working group following approval by the joint advisory board on September 27.
“The meeting was used as an opportunity to explain the background to preparing the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan and talk through the content.
“Cllr Smith attended the working group in the absence of Cllr Adams so he should be familiar with the proposals.
“Most of the planned housing growth is already included in the existing local plans, however for clarity the approach document includes reference to the strategic sites carried forward from the aligned core strategy which have planning permission, but where works have either yet to start or a significant amount of development is still to take place.
“In line with the sustainability principles and the settlement hierarchy, set out in the preferred approach, as much housing is as feasible will be located within the adjoining main built-up area of Nottingham for Gedling Borough.
“Development continues at Teal Close, Netherfield and at Chase Farm site.
“In addition, strategic-scale releases for growth are proposed including an extension for Teal Close to accommodate 360 homes.
“The sub-regional centre of Hucknall is also an appropriate location for growth, and two sites which adjoin the Hucknall area are carried forward within the preferred approach document at Top Whighay Farm and land north of Papplewick Way.
“In addition an extension to the urban extension at Top Wighay Farm is proposed within the existing safeguarded land for 640 homes.
“The preferred approach does therefore propose the removal of land from the greenbelt at Teal Close, as it is not possible to meet our future housing requirements within the existing urban boundary and previously allocated land.
“The preferred approach document is supported by a comprehensive evidence-base.”
A detailed report is to be debated by the cabinet on December 8, seeking approval of Gedling’s portion the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, before it will be sent for public consultation.
Cllr Smith added: “I’m disappointed land is going to be taken out of the greenbelt again but we will take part in the consultation.”
