Council launches new consultation over proposals for 10,000 new Bassetlaw homes

It comes as the council launches a consultation over its revised local plan.

During a consultation launched in January the council outlined proposals for 9,082 new homes to be built across the district by 2037.

However this number has now increased by 931 homes to 10,013 so the council can meet Government housebuilding targets.

Due to the large increase the council plans to build more homes in its two largest towns – with Worksop taking 951 more homes and Retford having 883 extra built than was set out in January.

Homes which were planned for rural locations have been redistributed to Worksop and Retford instead.

Council chiefs say a greater burden has been placed on the two towns because more rural locations lack the infrastructure to cope with such large population growth.

The council say the increase has come about as part of a requirement to ensure the number of jobs created in the district over the next 17 years are met with sufficient housing.

Evidence shows another 11,200 jobs could be created locally by 2037 - including at sites such as Apleyhead on the western side of the A1 - A57 junction attracting huge national investment.

And over 15 hectares of employment land has been set aside on land east of the A1 at Five Lane Ends – at the new low-carbon Bassetlaw Garden Village.

With this site in particular the council are targeting the digital and green sector – reducing the district’s reliance on manufacturing and logistics.

During the first consultation the council encountered strong opposition over plans for two Retford sites.

Locals objected to 30 new homes on allotments in Leafields and 75 carbon-neutral homes at Sandhills - which have both now been scrapped and protected as open sites.

However a very large development of 800 homes at a greenfield site is proposed in Ordsall.

Part two of the consultation comes as the Government proposes changes to the planning system – meaning areas with no local plan in place could have development imposed on them.

Councillor Jo White, Bassetlaw Council’s member for regeneration, told how if a local plan did not meet Government deadlines one might be ‘imposed’.

She said: “If we don’t have a local plan in place for Bassetlaw the Government’s proposed new housing legislation will force even more housing on the district in areas that may already be designated for development – without giving local people the opportunity to have their say as we are doing as part of this process.

“We really want to be able to deliver this plan because it very much means we’ll be getting the infrastructure that is needed to go with the housing and growth.

“The local plan will allow housing and employment development to satisfy Government housing requirements in a way that meets local needs and reflects local priorities for Bassetlaw residents now and in the future.

“We really want people to be part of this consultation, give us their comments and also take a look at the other elements of the plan that deal with things such as a green energy hub, a garden village and how some of these new housing developments encourage residents to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.”

Before the Planning for the Future white paper’s launch in August this year PM Boris Johnson argued that ‘newt-counting delays’ slowed down housebuilding - adding that to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic the country would ‘build better and build greener’ but also ‘faster’.

It proposes dividing areas into growth, renewal and protection zones – however there are concerns over a policy to give growth zones automatic outline consent.

As part of Government carbon-reduction targets and to boost employment the council has also set out plans to redevelop two former power stations - creating green energy jobs.

A green energy hub is proposed at High Marnham – which closed over 15 years ago - with 60 hectares of land set aside for green-sector businesses and solar farms.

Planning chiefs hope the new green energy centre will inject new life into businesses which were formerly part of the old power station’s supply chain.

Speaking about plans for High Marnham in January Coun White said she hoped the site would be a ‘hub for energy production’.

Cottam Power Station – which closed last year – is also seen as a regeneration area after 2037 for new homes and on-site business development.

Other sites set for development in the district

Peaks Hill Farm – near Thievesdale

1,000 homes are planned – with five hectares of land set aside for employment and business use specifically for the green energy sector.

A road linking Carlton Road and Blyth Road will serve the settlement to ease traffic the new homes will bring to the two roads.

After 2037, 120 more new homes will need to be built.

During the first consultation nearby residents reacted angrily to plans for the Bassetlaw beauty spot.

Retford

Land at Trinity Farm near Idle Valley Nature Reserve has been set aside for 244 homes, while over 800 new homes are planned at Ordsall – with land set aside for a new country park

Harworth

1700 homes currently have planning permission– so no further sites have been set out in the plan.

If you would like to read the Draft Bassetlaw Local Plan, make any comments or be part of one of 25 virtual consultation events taking place over the next eight weeks visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/bassetlawplan.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.