By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Three areas have been identified by Ashfield District Council for potential new social housing.
The Ashfield Independent-led authority’s cabinet will meet next week to discuss the brownfield sites, two of which are in Sutton and one in Kirkby.
It’s part of a council drive to build new homes and bring down large waiting lists for social properties across the district.
When the Ashfield Independents took control of the authority in 2018, the political administration set out plans to build 100 social homes by 2023.
It said last year this target had been surpassed and now new planning is under way following the group’s majority election win last month.
Plans due before the cabinet meeting on June 26 show at least 47 homes could be built across two new sites identified in the district.
This includes Hardwick Lane, in Sutton, which the authority says could accommodate 30 new homes.
The land is known locally as ‘Hardwick Lane Rec’ and is currently designated open space.
However, it has been identified as ‘developable land’ by the council.
In a report, the authority said: “The council is very conscious of the need to ensure residents have access to good quality open spaces.
“Hardwick Lane Rec is under consideration as part of this proposal only because there are a number of alternative parks and amenities in the area.
“The council is duty-bound to consult with local residents if it wishes to consider changing the designated use of a site.
“If there is meaningful feedback opposing the change, the matter will be brought back to cabinet for further consideration and any other actions relating to the site will be put on hold.”
A further 17 properties could be built on land in Central Avenue, Kirkby.
This is a council-owned garage site and separate land directly next to it, which is part of the neighbouring allotment.
However, the authority says the land has “never been used as allotments” and no allotment holders would be affected by the change.
The council added: “The title deeds show that the adjacent land is part of the neighbouring allotment site.
“However, the land has never been used as allotments and it would be too expensive to clear and cultivate the land for this purpose.
“No allotment holders would be affected, or allotments lost as a result of the proposal.
“Access to and from the existing allotment site would be maintained.
“To change the parcel of land in question from designated allotment
land would require the Secretary of State’s consent.”
A third site has also been identified in Clegg Hill Drive, Huthwaite, though the council has not specified how many homes it could accommodate.
It is described as “land-locked” and is only accessed via a neighbouring parcel of land.
Options for this land are not being discussed at next week’s cabinet and further details need to be published relating to how it could be used.
However, the cabinet will be asked to exchange the other two sites from the authority’s general fund and into the control of its housing revenue account.
If approved, this will allow the sites to be redeveloped into new homes to “meet local need”.
