By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to redevelop the ‘heart’ of Mansfield’s Bellamy Road estate have been given the green light.
The proposals, which have been eight years in the making, will see the existing shops and flats on Egmanton Road demolished to make way for a new ‘community hub’.
Under the approved plans, a new green space will be created alongside a play area for children, and 22 affordable, council-owned family homes will also be built.
A new shop, community cafe and a takeaway will also be built as part of the redevelopment, giving new life to an area of the estate which once housed Courtlands Social Club.
The development will also see the creation of a new link road through the centre of the estate, connecting Thorpe Road to Egmanton Road and altering an existing bus route to serve the new ‘hub’.
It comes as part of Mansfield District Council’s £5.7 million investment into the estate.
The estate, built in the 1960s to accommodate an influx of miners, has changed considerably over the past 60 years with parts becoming “semi-derelict and in need of regeneration”.
Speaking at the planning committee meeting on Monday (August 2), councillors described the redevelopment as “much-needed”.
Councillor Martin Wright (Mans Ind) represents the Holly ward and said: “As a former county councillor for the area, this area has been crying out for development.
“I welcome it, yes it’s costing a lot of money but it’s not something we should discuss here.
“What we want to do is improve the lives of the people on the Bellamy estate, and this will go a long way to doing so.”
Councillor Andy Sissons (Ind), who represents Newgate, added: “It’s a much-needed improvement and it will enhance the lives of the people and the residents there.
“Personally I think it’s money well-spent.”
However, concerns were raised by one councillor about the level of funds being spent by the council.
Councillor Robert Elliman (Con), who represents Oakham, said: “The council is spending £5.7 million on this development, but 25 units of the 22 houses and three shops are £228,000 per unit plus whatever the land is worth.
“That’s the best part of £280,000 we’re spending on these properties.
“We’re spending at least £1.5 million more than we should be on this development.
“I just can’t support this development at the expense of the council’s taxpayers’ money.”
The 22 homes will include a mix of mostly semi-detached two, three and four-bedroom houses, which will become part of the council’s housing stock.
The development will also include a community orchard, a children’s cycle area and a new pedestrian crossing.
The plans were approved by a margin of nine votes to one.
