Agenda item

Report of the Director of Planning and Regeneration,

Jointly presented by Mark Lowe, Head of Housing and Regeneration and Paul Seddon, Director of Planning and Regeneration.

Mark Lowe, Head of Housing & Regeneration, and Martin Poole, Area Planning Manager, gave a presentation updating the Committee on the Major development that are taking place and that are planned within the area. They highlighted the following information:

(a)  After years of planning and delays the Waterside development is now well underway. The development is a mix of residential and business properties, with green spaces and will include a 420 space primary school;

(b)  There are a number of developments across the area, including the former Morley School site and Wainright House where development has now been completed and properties been made available;

(c)  There are also a number of sites where plans have been submitted and are being developed which include a mix of residential properties, and public spaces, and include an element of social housing. These sites include the former Woodborough Inn site and the former Ellis School site;

(d)  The Eastside area of the city has been identified as a regeneration area for many years. Progress has stalled due to a number of issues but has recently been reinvigorated and a number of sites are now at the point of having planning permission, or identified as potential future development sites;

The committee asked a number of questions and the following information was highlighted:

(e)  Planning managers regularly meet developers and work with them to create developments that fit into the area, and works with the existing buildings. Each development is a working and changing project;

(f)  There are a number of developments in the planning phase that will be student accommodation. The Committee raised concerns about the number of student developments in a relatively small area, and how this will impact on residents, and existing services. The committee agreed that although welcoming students to the city is hugely beneficial, the appropriate placement of the developments is essential to ensure existing communities are not adversely impacted.

(g)  Concerns were specifically raised about whether the existing infrastructure was in place to ensure that students who will live in the planned developments are able to access services. GP practices are already stretched and although students are advised to register with the practice on campus, many prefer to register closer to where they live;

(h)  The committee were pleased that many of the developments planned included elements of social housing. They highlighted that the need for social housing in Nottingham is growing faster than the developments are being built and that planning colleagues should focus on this element and encourage developers, where appropriate, to include social housing;

(i)  The Borough Courts flats development has stalled in recent years. Many residents are wondering what is happening with the site. Planning colleagues confirmed that they were working with the developers to ensure that plans are appropriate for the site and hope to bring the development forward soon;

The Committee thanked Mark Lowe and Martin Poole for their presentation and the information it contained.

The Committee invited planning colleagues to attend the area committee in 12 month’s time to update the committee on planned major developments.