Hi readers, happy Friday. Looking forward to the weekend?

Today we bring you news of a consultation around housing plans across the borough, changes to evening bus fares over the summer and more details around the purchase of the former Lakeside site near Arnold

Thanks for reading. See you Monday.

David Bratton - Editor

Residents to have their say about where hundreds of homes could be built near their villages

Hundreds of homes could soon be built in leafy and rural areas across Gedling borough – and residents can have their say.

Gedling Borough Council passed through its evolving draft local development plan on Wednesday, June 10, which will now be sent off for examination by the government.

The plan has outlined areas that could be used for thousands of properties.

All local authorities responsible for providing housing, or land for housing, use something called the ‘standard method’ for calculating the need in their areas.

With extra pressure on authorities from the Labour Government to boost housing targets, this number for Gedling is 638 homes per year – a total of 11,484 new homes needed over its local development plan period to 2043.

With existing housing allocations in the borough and various housing developments either currently under construction or with planning permission, this large number drops down to 6,045 new homes needed by 2043.

To achieve this, the authority has been working to find suitable land where these several thousand homes could be built and has now narrowed the areas down, with a particular focus on as many homes as possible being part of Nottingham’s urban sprawl.

But some allocations are bigger than others, and could result in rural villages and parts of towns growing by several hundred homes.

You can read about where these homes are being planned and how to have your say during a consultation HERE

NCT launches £2 evening bus fares as summer nights heat up

Summer’s here, the evenings are stretching out, and getting around Notts at nighgt just got cheaper for everyone in Gedling borough.

NCT is rolling out a brand new £2 Evening Single fare — meaning heading out after work or making last‑minute plans won’t hit your wallet quite so hard.

Launching Sunday 21 June, the new ticket cuts the cost of a standard single from £3 to £2 during evening hours, knocking a third off the usual price. It’s designed to make spontaneous nights out, meet‑ups and after‑dark exploring easier than ever.

The fare is valid from 7pm until the last bus, every night, and can be bought with cash, contactless, or through the NCTX Buses app. It covers the entire NCT network, so whether you’re off for dinner, catching a show, or just fancy a wander while the sun hangs around a bit longer, you’re sorted.

NCT says the move aims to boost evening travel and support Nottingham’s bars, restaurants and venues at a time when many are feeling the pinch.

“We’re slashing the price of an evening journey by a third,” said Anthony Carver‑Smith, NCT’s Head of Marketing & Projects. “It’s ideal for making the most of the lighter summer nights, especially as the hospitality sector faces cost pressures.”

He added that a return trip after 7pm will now cost just £4 — a tidy saving compared to an all‑day ticket — and hopes the lower fare will encourage more people to hop on board.

Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, welcomed the move: “Nottingham is known for its vibrant nightlife and brilliant city centre venues. But with people cutting back on socialising, businesses are feeling it. Affordable, reliable public transport is key to keeping the city buzzing.”

New owner shares update on plans for historic Lakeside site near Arnold which has been renamed Hawksley Tower

One of the borough’s most striking Victorian buildings is getting a new life — and a new name — after being snapped up by wedding venue operator Best Day Ever Venues.

The Grade II* Listed Bestwood Pumping Station in Arnold, formerly known as Lakeside Nottingham, has been acquired by the group and will reopen as Hawksley Tower, a nod to the building’s original designer, Victorian civil engineer Thomas Hawksley.

Read more about the group's plans HERE

REVEALED: ‘Excessive’ spending of more than £17,000 on chauffeurs by the region’s mayor

The spending of more than £17,000 on chauffeurs by the region’s Labour mayor has been dubbed “excessive, shocking, eyewatering and unjustifiable” by opposition parties.

This follows extensive work into the amount of money spent by Claire Ward, East Midlands Mayor, on chauffeurs since March 2025.

Data published by the East Midlands Combined County Authority shows that in the 13 months from March last year to April 2026, Ms Ward has spent £17,733 on chauffeurs described as “luxury, executive, premium and high-end”.

In March this year, we reported on data for March to August 2025, with no further data available at that time, showing £1,508 spent on chauffeurs.

Following this, in May,reporters successfully lobbied for the remaining data up until February 2026 to be published, showing a further £7,820 on chauffeurs.

Now data for March and April 2026 has been made available showing a further £8,405 on chauffeurs for Ms Ward in those two months alone – nearly as much as the previous year combined – totalling £17,733.

Read more about the figures and reaction HERE

🌦️ Weather Update

🌦️ Often cloudy this morning with occasional outbreaks of mainly light rain or drizzle. Mostly dry and brighter by the afternoon, however one or two isolated showers remain possible. Becoming breezy, with gusty winds offsetting the warmer temperatures slightly. It will be widely dry and bright this evening, although still rather breezy. Largely fine overnight with mostly clear skies, although clouding over around dawn, with the odd shower possible.

🌦️ Expect bright or sunny spells on Saturday with isolated showers. It will be breezy and feel rather cool again.

⛅ It will be rather cool and breezy on Sunday, but turning slightly warmer with lighter winds by Monday.