By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A Nottingham community could feel ‘closure’ after new development plans were approved on the former site of a home where two young men died.
Trevor and Alan Leighton died in December 1992 at the house they rented on Sandford Road, Mapperley, after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty gas boiler.
Trevor, 25, was a chemical engineering graduate and Alan, 22, was studying to become a pilot.
After their deaths, the property on the corner of Porchester Road was left derelict and was eventually demolished around 30 years later.
Gedling Borough Council has now given permission George Broniewski’s application for a one-storey home and a three-storey block of 13 flats
Councillor Henry Wilkinson (Lab) told the planning committee on Wednesday (February 28): “Anyone who is familiar with the very sad history of this site will welcome the fact we’ve got plans in front of us.
“We have had false starts before – there have been at least two applications that have been passed but not built – so let’s hope something is built this time.”
He said after the meeting: “The tragedy of the two brothers happened before I came to Nottingham, but many people in the area are still aware of it.
“That empty space is very sad reminder whenever people are walking by. We need to see something there, and that will hopefully bring closure.”
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, odourless gas which is emitted by appliances that burn gas, wood, oil or coal. If not properly vented, it can cause serious illness or death.
Local resident Nicholas Bose told the meeting that a lack of parking could cause traffic problems.
“There are 11 spaces for 13 apartments, but it’s likely they will each have two cars, meaning a potential of 26 vehicles. Where are they all going to park?” He said.
“The area is already congested with residents’ parking. More parked cars will cause difficulty for pedestrians and a real hazard for motorists due to the blind-spot near junction.”
Cllr Wilkinson added: “Overall, it’s good scheme. I do have some sympathy with concerns about parking and access.
“But the highway authority has not raised any objections, and that would make it very difficult for us to refuse it on those grounds.”
The application was approved by the committee.
Trevor and Alan Leighton’s deaths became a rallying point for improved carbon monoxide safety, with Nottingham East MP John Heppell raising the case in Parliament in 1994.
“A very sad aspect of the case to which I have referred—that of Alan and Trevor Leighton—is that they realised that there was something wrong. But they did not know that the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning were the result of a faulty gas appliance,” he said at the time.
“Something must be done to ensure that such avoidable tragedies do not happen. No court action or feelings of vengeance will bring back those brothers or any of the other victims. Not even justice can do that.”
Anyone concerned about carbon monoxide safety can contact the NHS for symptoms and what to do if they think they have carbon monoxide poisoning.
