New green energy jobs set out in Bassetlaw council's 15-year housing plan

As part of its local plan for housing and employment the council is set to kick-start a green energy hub at High Marnham – which closed over 15 years ago.

It has already earmarked a portion of 60 hectares of land available at the site – which is still connected to the power grid – 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.

As part of the bold new vision to meet increasing housing demands while hitting government carbon-cutting targets 750 new homes have been fixed for land east of the A1 at Five Lane Ends – at the new low carbon Bassetlaw Garden Village.

Planners have also set aside a portion of a 15-hectare piece of land for a business development providing jobs near the homes.

Crucially talks are underway with Network Rail to build a railway station nearby – connecting the development’s population with Worksop and Sheffield and addressing concerns over increased traffic for those commuting along the A57.

Cottam Power Station – which closed last year – has been set aside for 450 new homes between now and 2037 with 1,000 more planned thereafter and proposals for an on-site business development.

Speaking about plans for High Marnham Councillor Jo White, Bassetlaw Council member for regeneration, said she hoped the site would be a ‘hub for energy production’.

She said: “This will be a place to create and store energy that will serve the area in the future.

“This is steered by international regulations to stop using gas.

“We have to be self-sustaining and produce our own energy – requirements for electricity will increase with the use of electric cars.

“Along with that demand more jobs and high-skilled jobs in particular will come.

“We also have plans to create another village at Cottam and that this site will be self-sustaining.”

Coun White said there was ‘tremendous’ pressure on local authorities from the government to provide housing for future generations.

The plan is currently in its first draft stages and the council are now asking Bassetllaw residents for their views in a six-week consultation which ends on February 26.

Coun White added: “It is important residents engage with us and give their feedback to be sure the local plan fits with their needs.”

Other sites set for development in the district

Thievesdale

750 homes are planned for land near Thievesdale – 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, 750 more new homes will need to be built.

Retford

Land at Trinity Farm near Idle Valley Nature Reserve has been set aside for 440 homes with five-six hectares of business land including commercial uses such as a pub.

There also plans to build 75 carbon-neutral homes at Retford Sandhills.

Allotments at Lea Fields will be relocated to Trinity Farm – making way for 30 affordable homes available for rent.

Harworth

2,000 homes currently have planning permission or have been built already – so no further sites have been set out in the plan.

Where and when the consultation events will be held

Ranby Village Hall – 22/01/2020, 2pm-5pm

Harworth Town Hall – 23/01/2020, 2pm-5pm

Elkesley Memorial Hall – 28/01/2020, 5pm-7pm

Worksop Town Hall – 29/01/2020, 5pm-7pm

Barnby Memorial Hall – 30/01/2020, 2pm-5pm

Thievesdale Community Centre – 04/02/2020, 3.30pm-5.30pm

St Nicholas’ Church,Tuxford – 05/02/2020, 5pm-7pm

Treswell Village Hall – 06/02/2020, 2pm-5pm

Westhill Community Centre, Ordsall – 11/02/2020, 5.30pm-7.30pm

Dunham and District Village Hall, Dunham on Trent – 12/02/2020, 4pm-6pm

Langold Village Hall – 13/02/2020, 1pm-4pm

Retford Town Hall - 18/02/2020, 2pm-5pm

Carlton Civic Centre – 19/02/2020, 2pm-5pm

All Saints’ Church Hall, Misterton – 20/02/2020, 5pm-7pm

To view the plans in more detail click HERE.