By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors have said there are unanswered questions on a housing scheme which could be built around a historic ‘Hansel and Gretel’ cottage, just weeks after it was restarted.
Broxtowe Borough Council initially launched the Bramcote project in 2021, but decided to put it on hold months later over concerns it wasn’t good value for money.
It was unexpectedly restarted earlier this month, but councillors have now sent it back to the authority’s cabinet of senior figures for a second look.
Five cottages would be built on land around the landmark Fish Pond Cottage, which could also be repaired after falling into ruin.
The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee questioned the finances around the scheme and consultation with residents.
Ward Councillor David Watts (Lib Dem), one of five members to ‘call in’ the project, said: “The Cabinet decision earlier this month was taken without any consultation with residents.
“It had been shelved two years ago. The public may now be in favour – although I doubt it – but no one even knew it was being considered.
“This breaches rules on openness and transparency.”
He added that a report on Fish Pond Cottage’s derelict condition was only received half an hour before cabinet made their original decision.
“There is excessive rainwater penetration and likely subsidence. That is crucial information that wasn’t before Cabinet. All of that work is going to be expensive,” he said.
Ward Councillor Hannah Land (Lib Dem) said she had the “sense that the decision was made in haste”, but there had been a public backlash.
“Residents are outraged they hadn’t heard about it. They found out through the media instead,” she said.
Other councillors expressed concern that development on the site could make traffic and flooding on Ilkeston Road worse.
Deputy leader Councillor Greg Marshall (Lab) rebutted the arguments, saying “house building is the council’s number one priority” and the development would provide much-needed quality homes.
He added: “This went through the full planning committee process previously – it has not been done behind closed doors.”
Committee member Councillor Richard MacRae (Ind) said it was embarrassing that the council had allowed the “Hansel and Gretel”-style house, which it owns, to get into its current condition.
The council expects to receive a £500,000 grant from Homes England which would help make the scheme more financially viable.
However, it’s claimed that it will still be affordable even without that.
Councillor Philip Owen said: “I’ve never been able to get to the bottom of why it wasn’t viable then and it is now.”
He likened going ahead before a grant was issued to “buying a Lottery ticket”.
The committee voted six to five in favour of sending the decision back to t the council’s cabinet of senior councillors for a second look.
The chair Councillor Shaun Dannheimer (Lab) cast the deciding vote, saying the late arrival of the surveyor’s report needed to be looked at.
