By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
A new Ashfield housing development plan has led to fears the area’s road network could become overstretched and unsafe.
Developer Avant Homes Central submitted plans to Ashfield District Council yesterday (November 25) for 84 homes in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
If approved, the £23.1 million development will be located on land off Fisher Close and given the name Silverhill Edge.
Early ‘outline’ approval for the site without detail was previously granted in May 2023 – the new plans are for the the main design.
The entrance to the site would be from Fisher Close with potential plans for a pedestrian route through to Stanton Crescent.
The development site sits in the council’s Carsic ward but its access point coming from Fisher Close falls under the Dales ward.
Ashfield District Councillor and County Councillor Helen-Ann Smith (Ash Ind) represents Sutton North at the county level, which covers residents living in Fisher Close.
Cllr Smith has expressed concern over the consequences of the Labour Government’s housing targets on congestion levels.
She said: “What is clear is that since the new Labour Government announced that they were increasing enforced housing targets to 604 houses a year, a 37 per cent increase, developers are crawling all over Ashfield- no green land is safe.
“The junction of Fisher Close clearly cannot cope with the current number of houses, never mind a further 84 and I think the application for this site is for far too many houses.”
The Labour government announced its new housing plans in July 2024 with all councils across England being given mandatory housing targets to help deliver the government’s target of 1.5 million more homes to tackle the housing crisis.
Changes include an overhaul of the planning system, ensuring all areas have local housing plans, a review of Green Belt land and a drive of 50 per cent delivery of affordable homes.
Back in July, Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: “Our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.”
With site access from Fisher Close, Cllr Smith believes the application “will be detrimental to the safety of existing residents”.
Cllr Smith has called the application in to be decided by Ashfield District Council’s planning committee over concerns for highway safety and the “intensification” of the site.
Avant Homes has confirmed a community contribution of £750,000 from the development, which will help pay for improvements to the local public transport, healthcare and education infrastructure.
Avant Homes Central director in charge, Matt Barker, said: “Sutton-in-Ashfield is a fantastic location for us to further expand our development footprint in Nottinghamshire.
“As a company, we are committed to providing quality new homes for everyone in places where people want to live. Silverhill Edge is an excellent opportunity for us to deliver on this.
“We now look forward to Ashfield District Council considering our plans to create a new thriving community in Sutton-in-Ashfield.”
The site would offer a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom energy efficient homes, with eight being affordable.
Brierley Forest Park borders the site on its western side and a wildflower meadow would be planted in the northern part.
If plans are accepted, works are expected to begin in August 2025 with the first residents expected to move in by April 2026.
Ashfield District Council’s Planning Committee will decide on the application at a later date.
