Morning Edition: Homes plan anger | Racism appeal | Venue sold
Dear readers, welcome to Wednesday.
Sorry about the lack of newsletter over the past few days We've been making tweaks to some of our systems and this prevented us from sending one out - apologies. All sorted now.
Today we bring you news of angry residents speaking out against the council's future housing plans, a police appeal after a racist incident on a bus and speculation around the next tram route heading to Gedling.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.
David Bratton - Editor
Communities say they are ‘bursting at seams’ as housing plans across Gedling spark backlash
Gridlock. Flooding. Eroding communities. These are just some of the fears of residents across Gedling as they face losing their green space to housing.
“Nobody supports this”, says 55-year-old Mike Isted MBE, reacting to the prospect of up to 670 extra homes being built in his village, Calverton.
The rural village has already grown in recent years, with Persimmon close to finishing its 363-home development in the north. It has also recently outlined plans for 154 more homes nearby.
Calverton is not the only part of the borough facing the prospect of hundreds of new homes.
Gedling Borough Council is moving forward with its draft Local Development Plan, which has outlined areas it says could be used to allocate an extra 6,045 homes by 2043 to ensure housing targets are met.
In late June, the authority could launch a six-week consultation to gather local feedback on expanding areas such as Mapperley, Redhill, Ravenshead, Calverton, and Linby.
Police issue CCTV picture after woman racially abused on Calverton bus
Police have issued an image of a person they want to identify and speak to after a woman was racially abused on a bus to Calverton.
The victim had been on a bus service from Nottingham city centre to the village when the incident happened on May 14.
Police have now issued a picture of a woman they believe she can assist them with their inquiries.
Police Staff Investigator Leanne Weaving, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “As a force, we take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime in all its forms, including racism, and will always look to put offenders before the courts.
“As part of our inquiries I would encourage anyone who recognises the woman pictured to please come forward, as we would like to speak to her in relation to this incident.”
Anyone who recognises the woman is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting 26*289585, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Vacant wedding venue near Arnold sold in multi-million-pound deal
A landmark wedding venue near Arnold has been sold to a growing Midlands hospitality group in a multi-million-pound deal.
Kids help shape £98k upgrade to play area on Jackie Bell’s Field in Netherfield
A revamped play area at Jackie Bell’s Field in Netherfield has officially reopened after a £98,000 makeover funded by FCC Communities Foundation.
The new-look park was unveiled on Friday, June 5, with the Mayor of Gedling, councillors and project partners cutting the ribbon before taking a tour of the upgraded space.
Mayor Sandra Barnes said she was “thrilled” to open the site, praising everyone involved for creating a space “local children can enjoy.”
The transformation includes brand-new climbing equipment, a 25-metre zip line, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and trampoline, plus fresh safety surfacing. There’s even a table tennis table and outdoor chess — with bats, balls and chess pieces available to borrow from the St George Centre.
The project was funded through FCC Communities Foundation, which supports community and conservation schemes via the Landfill Communities Fund.
Cheryl Raynor, Grant Manager at the foundation, said the revamp had been shaped by the voices of local children and young people, adding that the new facilities will help build “vibrant, inclusive environments that encourage play, wellbeing and community pride.”
Pupils from Netherfield Primary School’s School Parliament helped design the improvements and were among the first to try out the equipment at the opening.
Local teenagers were also consulted, with Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service working to set up a new group of “Park Guardians” to encourage pride in the space and help reduce anti-social behaviour — the first scheme of its kind in a Gedling Borough Council park.
Contractors Wicksteed Leisure marked the opening with community donations, including 50 book vouchers for Netherfield Primary School and £50 to support youth work at the park.
Councillor Alison Hunt said she was “delighted” to see the historic park refreshed for future generations, thanking everyone involved in delivering the project.
Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, called the transformation “a real asset to the borough,” praising the modern facilities now available to residents.
Anyone interested in joining the new Friends of Jackie Bell’s Field group — supporting future improvements or helping care for the park — can get in touch at friendsofjackiebells@gmail.com.
How Nottingham’s tram network could go to Gedling – and what those who live there think about it
It’s the age-old question that transfixes the people in Nottingham and its surroundings. Where will the tram go next?
Perhaps it’s the still relatively novel nature of even having a tram that makes the suggestion of it coming to where we live so exciting.
We’re not so fascinated by bus route extensions or trains – but everywhere’s got them, and they go everywhere.
Our tram, on the other hand – with its smooth, snaking, slaloming movement through the centre of the city, on its own purpose-built track – runs on a network which is one of only seven or eight in the country.
That being said, an extension has been written and spoken about so much in the news that you’d be forgiven for wondering whether the idea that our city’s tram network will be extended is actually just an urban legend.
Don’t worry – it’s not.
Nottingham’s tramline will be extended at some point – and they’ll always be thinking about taking it further.
And the favoured option seems to now be Gedling
🌦️ Weather Update
🌧️ A dry start, before the clouds bubble up to give another day of sunny spells and showers. The showers will be heavy, with the risk of hail and thunder. A breezy day, locally gusty near heavier showers. Feeling cool. Any daytime showers will slowly ease in the evening to leave a largely dry night, with clear spells developing for many. Turning locally chilly, especially in some prone rural spots. Winds easing.
🌧️ There will be a dry start to Thursday, before increasing cloud and outbreaks of rain, locally heavy, during the day. Windy, locally gusty. Feeling humid.
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