Planning and development

 

Here is a schematic of the current site, showing the individual plots, car parks and the Bilborough Brook running

through the site into Martin's Pond.  The redline area is an indication of that proposed for residential development. Click to enlarge:

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the early 1990s, three separate applications for residential development on part of the allotment site along the northern boundary were refused by Nottingham City Council (NCC) . The last of these was the subject of an unsuccessful appeal in 1992.

 

The NCC’s Open Space Network covers approximately 66% of the allotment site, the exception being an area of some 3.72 hectares that corresponds with the land the subject of the previous applications.  Although that land was included as part of the Open Space Network in the draft version of the Local Plan, the subsequent Inspector’s Report into the then emerging Local Plan concluded that the land was appropriate for housing and should be allocated for that use.  However, the Report was non-binding and the Council adopted the Local Plan in November 2005 without making any change to the designation here.  A subsequent legal challenge to that decision was successful and the Open Space Network designation for that part of the allotment site was quashed by the High Court in September 2006.  The land is therefore shown on the current Proposals Map as ‘white land’, i.e. it is not designated for any specific planning purpose.

 

On 17 May 2012 the developers submitted an Outline Planning application to NCC, which was considered by the Planning Committee on 19 December 2012 and a refusal Decision Notice was issued on 21 December 2012.  In June 2013 the developers submitted to the Planning Inspectorate a request for Appeal by Public Inquiry, which was accepted by the Inspectorate and the Public Inquiry commenced on 26 November 2013 in Nottingham; however, it was adjourned by the Planning Inspector, Diane Lewis, BA(Hons) MCD MA MRTPI, 'in the interest of fairness and natural justice' to allow for informed consideration to be undertaken in respect of ongoing revisions submitted by the developers.  

 

The adjourned Public Inquiry took place from 18 to 21 March 2014, the previous Planning Inspector having been recused (i.e. removed on certain grounds); the reason for this recusal does not appear to be available in the public domain.  The appointed Planning Inspector was Jennifer Vyse, DipTP DipPBM MRTPI.  

 

On 20 March 2014 (in fact during the week that the Public Inquiry into the Appeal was taking place) a parallel second Outline Planning application was refused by NCC on the grounds of (1) unacceptable loss of allotments and part of the open space network, and (2) lack of adequate integration with surrounding existing development in regards to permeability (failing to provide satisfactory access to the proposed open space.  

 

The Appeal Decision Report by Ms Vyse was issued by the Planning Inspectorate on 8 May 2014.  The appeal was allowed and planning permission granted 'for residential development and regeneration of allotments, incorporating new public open space, access, drainage infrastructure and ecological enhancement on land at  

Radford Bridge Allotments, Russell Drive, Wollaton, Nottingham, in accordance with the terms of the application,

No 12/01583/POUT, dated 16 May 2012, and the plans submitted with it, subject to the conditions set out'.

 

Below is the Indicative MasterPlan produced by the Landscape Architect on behalf of the developers.  It clearly shows the re-routing of the Bilborough Brook, the division of the remaining allotments into two separate blocks of re-aligned plots and avenues, the new wildlife area in the east, and the enlarged access off Russell Drive which involves the demolition of one property.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Acknowledgement:  Landscape Masterplan, Influence CLA, Outline Planning Application 13/01399

at the Nottingham City Council (Planning & Building Control) website]

 

 

CURRENT STATUS AT FEBRUARY 2015:

 

The developers have been granted Outline Planning Permission on appeal; the next stage of the planning process is the submission to the NCC of the Reserved Matters in order to achieve Full Planning Permission.  The timescale for this and for the subsequent commencement of work is currently not known.  

 

UPDATE APRIL 2015:

 

April has soon arrived, and with it a legal Notice to Quit for all the gardeners and shareholders.  The site has to be vacated by April 2nd 2016, and we are required to remove all produce, gardening equipment and tools by that date.   So if anyone has storage room for a few dozen sheds and greenhouses plus a multitude of water butts, paving slabs and soft fruit bushes please let us know...  we can probably cope with the tools.  The majority of our trees are not transferable.  So, the earlier no news was not good news.

 

 

 

NORTH WOLLATON RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION [NWRA]

 

The residents of the areas surrounding the allotment site have been deeply involved for many years in the planning processes on this land; some residents have rented plots on the allotments.  The following statement from the NWRA gives an overview of their previous and continuing involvement.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since its inception in 1990 North Wollaton Residents’ Association has had involvement in opposing proposals by would-be developers to build houses on allotment land adjacent to Martins Pond and owned by Radford Bridge Road Garden Holders’ Association Limited.  In fact, NWRA was specifically founded to fight an application by Wimpey in 1990 to build on the whole 27 acres of the allotments, this planning application coming only a short time after the completion of the Martins Field estate (now known locally as the Torvill & Dean estate). There have, of course, been numerous other applications since and also several appeals, all of which had been refused until 8 May 2014, following an appeal held in March that year, when a government Planning Inspector gave permission for the building of up to 110 houses on 9 acres of the site, open space generation, and reconfiguration of the residual allotments.

 

Over the years, whilst fighting planning applications relating to the allotments, NWRA has taken on a wider role of seeking to represent the local community (members and non-members) in a variety of matters which may be of concern to residents, and keeping them informed through newsletters, via local notice boards and at an Annual General Meeting.  Major amongst matters of concern has been the protection of the local environment and its wonderful wildlife, a cause to which NWRA is still totally committed.

 

If you are interested in joining the North Wollaton Residents’ Association please use the ContactUs form.