Dear readers,
Welcome to Tuesday. Today we get a first look at designs for the proposed new leisure hub in Carlton and we are being invited to have our say. Almost 150 new homes are planned near Linby and a decision is due tomorrow and finally, a new climate change film is getting a screening at the Bonington in Arnold

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

David Bratton - Editor

Residents urged to have say on designs for new Carlton leisure hub

Residents are being urged to have their say on the next stage of the Carlton Active project, as fresh designs for a brand‑new leisure hub go public and a borough‑wide engagement drive gets underway.

Gedling Borough Council says it’s moving into a major phase of its plan to overhaul local leisure, with Carlton Active set to bring modern, accessible and eco‑friendly facilities to the community.

The proposals centre on a new Carlton Active Centre — a single site combining leisure amenities, health and wellbeing services and flexible spaces for community use. Early designs are now available to view, giving locals a first look at what the future centre could offer.

Architects say the exterior takes cues from local heritage, while the building itself has been designed with full accessibility in mind, including step‑free routes and low‑stimulation areas. Sustainability is also baked in from the start, with low‑energy principles shaping the design.

A three‑week engagement period runs from 1 to 21 June, giving residents the chance to explore the plans and share their thoughts.

People can get involved through an online survey or by dropping in to public sessions at Carlton Forum Leisure Centre, where the project team will be on hand to answer questions.

Drop‑in sessions...

• Tuesday, June 9(10.30am–4pm)

• Wednesday, June 10 (4–8pm)

Meet the Design Team...

• Monday, June 15 (10am–8pm)

Councillor Henry Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health and Wellbeing, said: “This is an exciting stage of the Carlton Active programme and a chance for people to find out more about the new building. I would encourage local residents to take part and share their views, to help shape the future of leisure in the borough.”

The survey is open until June 21 and can also be completed on paper at Gedling Leisure Centres.

All feedback gathered will help refine the next stage of the Carlton Active proposals.

Decision due on plan for more than 150 new homes near Linby

A key decision is due to be made on more than 150 new homes at a major Nottinghamshire housing development.

A total 763 homes are being built at Top Wighay, near Hucknall and the village of Linby.

The site is also home to Nottinghamshire County Council’s £19 million Oak House office building, which had been built with the intention of entirely replacing the ageing County Hall.

Plans for phase 3B of the development, which totals 158 homes, are due before Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (June 3).

These reserved matters plans, which include the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, have been tipped for approval.

They have previously been approved for Vistry to build, however they have since returned under a new housebuilder; Persimmon.

“The density of development is acceptable, and the layout considered to respect the character of the area,” planning documents say.

“The design of the dwellings is acceptable with a mixture of materials and scale of properties, with public open space overlooked and residential amenity respected.”

The whole site is 40.347 hectares (just over 99 acres), while the development site is 5.61 hectares (almost 14 acres).

It is located to the north of Hucknall, and west of Linby village.

Last year Gedling Borough Council proposed a series of street names for part of the wider Top Wighay housing estate, including Pancake Way and Denmark Road.

The names pay tribute to a folk tale of Vikings being warded off by villagers after a hearty breakfast of pancakes.

The tale dates back to a period following the landing of the Great Heathen Army – or Viking great army – in Anglo-Saxon England more than 1,000 years ago.

Many landed in Norfolk and made their way through Nottinghamshire, which, along with the wider East Midlands, went on to form part of the Danelaw, a section of England under Viking rule.

Linby itself is derived from Old Norse; “lind” meaning “a lime tree” and “by” meaning “a farmstead, a village, a town”.

The village’s parish council has objected to the new reserves matters plans.

According to the parish council, the proposed development under Persimmon seeks “the removal and material alteration of pedestrian and cycle connections and green amenity space shown on the outline planning permission.”

“Reserved matters cannot materially depart from the approved plans,” the authority said.

It also criticised the boundaries of the scheme, and the “poor design of proposed dwellings, by virtue of a number of blank or inactive street-facing elevations, close-boarded fences facing the public realm, a cramped layout, large areas of hardstanding, and too little soft landscaping.”

However, planning documents say the council’s planners consider the layout to be “in accord” with the site masterplan, while design concerns “are not shared”.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 6pm at the council’s chamber.

By Joe Locker (Local Democracy Reporter)

Bonington Theatre to screen climate crisis film for World Environment Day

Bonington Theatre in Arnold is marking World Environment Day with a special screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing on Saturday, June 6 at 5pm — a new 50‑minute film laying out the latest evidence on the climate and nature emergency and what it means for everyday life. 

The film, created by the National Emergency Briefing, links the crisis directly to risks facing communities, from food security to health and infrastructure. It mixes scientific insight from a 2025 Westminster briefing with reactions from the public and appearances from familiar names, including Chris Packham. A post‑film discussion will follow. 

Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, said World Environment Day is a moment to reflect on how climate change is already affecting local communities — and what people can do in response. She added that she’s pleased residents will get the chance to see the film at the Bonington, with council staff also encouraged to attend a separate screening at the Civic Centre. 

Philip Bradley, speaking for the Gedling Climate Change Group, called the film “a call to action”, urging people to get involved and stressing that “it is not too late to save the planet”. 

Tickets are £8 standard, £6.50 concession and £5 for under‑25s. More details, the trailer and booking are available at the Bonington Theatre website or via the box office on 0115 901 3640. 

🌦️ Weather Update

🌦️ Early cloud will soon break up to give bright or sunny spells, but also scattered showers. The showers turning heavy, with the risk of hail and thunder in places, especially during the afternoon. Light winds generally, but locally gusty with showers. The heaviest of the showers will gradually ease this evening. Becoming largely dry with variable cloud and clear spells developing for many. Light winds. Staying mild.

🌦️ There will be a bright start to tomorrow with a few scattered showers, before a band of rain spreads across all parts during the afternoon. Further scattered showers following by evening. Temperatures near normal.