Victory…the first battle at least

Some time ago now, 19^th June to be precise, I received a letter from  Broxtowe Council informing me that the developers had withdrawn their application to desecrate Hempshill Fields.  Great news I thought and like the rest of us, breathed a huge sigh of relief that the nightmare was over and we could relax, safe in the knowledge that we could look forward to enjoying the fields for years to come.

Unfortunately, I overlooked the small print saying that the developers might resubmit their application once they had come up with a plan which overcame our objections.  Just how they hope to come up with a plan which allows them to build houses and at the same time leave the fields as open space I find it hard to imagine, but there we are.

Now it seems that Broxtowe Council is in the process of publishing a new “Core Strategy” which amongst other things aims to identify suitable land for building 6,150 new homes.  So, unless we are careful, it is possible that this new plan might designate Hempshill Fields as a suitable location, despite our objections and the previous strategy.

So, once again, we need to make it clear that not only do we want to keep Hempshill Fields as open space now, we want it for our children too.  The plan is on the council’s website

You can have your say until Monday 23^rd July.

That is only a week away, so we all need to do some thinking and writing as soon as we can.  Once again, if you are unsure exactly what to say, you might want to take a look at the representation submitted by our local MP, Graham Allen, which is shown as a link on the right.  This also outlines how to complete the online forms.

Photo Competition

The prospect of losing Hempshill Fields to a property speculator has reminded many of us just how valuable it is.  Taking a stroll there the other day, I came across kids playing around in the woods as kids do, couples walking their dogs, a family picnicking, others just enjoying the unseasonal spring sunshine.  For my own part, I was, as a keen photographer, taking photos of the fields, trees, blossoms and so on.  Now, I really hope we manage to keep these fields, but if the worst comes to the worst, I would at least like to have a reminder of what they looked like before they were covered in concrete.

I am sure everybody has their reasons for wanting to keep the fields and we all have a different perspective on what makes them special to us.  So how about entering our photo competition; anyone can send in their photos.  The best one each month will be put on the web site and there will be a small prize as well.  For full details click on the COMPETITION link.

They don’t have to be technically brilliant.  It is more about you photographing what is important to you, so that can be flowers, people, dogs, the wildlife, in fact anything you like.

Utterly bonkers!

Amongst the increasing number of objections to the proposed housing development on Hempshill Fields, comes one from supporters of the proposed tram extension from Phoenix Park to Kimberley and beyond.  Whether or not this line ever gets built is a moot point, but if it does then it needs somewhere to go.  The current preferred route is through Hempshill Fields, avoiding the existing roads and homes of the people who already live in this area.
Of course, if the fields are developed for housing there will be nowhere for the tram line to go...or will there?  There is in fact an alternative route, the ultimate cunning plan worthy of Baldrick.  They would run the tram through the existing homes in Hempshill Vale...after first demolishing the houses so inconsiderately built there already.  Brilliant!  So in order to build "much needed" homes on a green field, we would need to demolish perfectly good existing homes a couple of hundred yards away!

Utterly barmy!

Nottingham City Council have written to Broxtowe Council pointing out the absurdity of the proposition.  Let's hope Broxtowe take note and throw out the planning application once and for all.

Who benefits from this development?

It is argued that there is a pressing need for housing in Nottingham.  Whether or not there is such a need in this location is highly questionable, but leaving that matter aside for the present, let’s stop and think for a minute as to who will gain from this housing development if allowed.

Will it be those who pay over the odds for new homes blighted by incessant road noise, air pollution and congestion and whose children will have to cross the A610 to get to school every day?

I don’t think so.
 
Will it be the community who will lose a valuable green open space for ever?
Definitely not!

Will it be the residents of Hempshill Hall who have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds to restore and preserve a valuable heritage asset for posterity?

Er, not really.

No, none of these.  Instead it will be some greedy speculator who contributes nothing to the community and who boasts on their website that they make their living out of speculating on land values.  And how are those land values increased?  Certainly not by any work they do to improve it, but simply by taking ordinary green fields bought at farmland prices and then persuading any planning authority gullible enough to grant them planning permission to turn into expensive building land.  So, they make their living by exploiting a valuable community asset and selling that amenity which is ours, not theirs, to a housing developer.  And they don’t even have much of a track record in housing developments, mostly just anonymous industrial units, so they have absolutely no interest in what the development will look like, just so long as they make a killing.  Check out their website to see some examples of what they have done so far.

The architect responsible for overseeing the restoration of the Hall has written to Broxtowe Council expressing his objections to the proposed development (click on the link to see it in full) in which he makes the following case against this cynical exploitation of the fields.  For many years as Hempshill Hall slid into a state of dereliction and decay it was made clear to prospective purchasers that it would not be permissible to use the “value” of the surrounding farmland to fund restoration of the Hall.  After all, what would be the point of restoring the historic building if it was only achieved at the expense of blighting the surroundings?  So it was only when the current owners, motivated by a genuine interest in the heritage of this listed building rather than making a quick buck came along, that the Hall has been restored to its former glory for all of us to enjoy.

Now some opportunist land speculator who has no motive other than making a quick buck at our expense comes along and thinks we should just throw away all the planning policies and considerations of the local area, and hand over this last patch of green in the area, just so he can get rich quick!

Even though the date for formal letters of objection has passed, we need to keep up the pressure.  We can all do our part by attending planning meetings and continuing to make our voices heard.  Write to your councillors, write to the papers…

Don’t let the speculators get away with it. 

Only two days left to object

Doesn't time fly! 
It seems like only last week that we came together at Nuthall Parish Council and agreed to fight the development on Hempshill Fields.  Now there are only a couple of days left for each of us to get our objections in.  For those of us who know we want to keep our fields, but maybe don't know how to express it "officially", the most important thing is that you at least tell the council "I want to keep the fields for everybody to enjoy". 
If you want to give more detailed reasons, then I am posting the Nuthall Parish Council letter of objection, together with that sent in by our local MP Graham Allen.  Do feel free to pick out the key points from these and include them in your own letter if you like.  Try not to just "cut and paste" into your own objection; put it in your own words.
Remember you can either write an ordinary letter, (although you will have to hand deliver it now) or, better still, submit your objection on line here and you will be automatically updated on the application.

Council says "no" to development

Last night Nuthall Parish Council voted unanimously against the proposed housing development in Hempshill Fields.  In a well attended public meeting, local residents voiced their concerns over many issues which affected themselves and others equally, questioning the suitability of the site for any housing development.

The council will object on the following grounds:

1. Traffic increase.  Despite assurances to the contrary from the developers, it is an inevitable consequence of building homes for 139 new households, that there will be a significant increase in traffic adding to the congestion on an already over-crowded roundabout at Nuthall island.
2. Detrimental impact on the setting of an historic listed building, Hempshill Hall.  Although, according to one councillor, ruining the view from the Hall is of no consequence in planning terms (a worrying thought in itself), the visual amenity provided by the Hall to the surroundings and the historic context of its setting in open land, is.
3. Local amenity.  The fields currently provide publicly accessible open space which is of value to the entire community, whether it be for walking dogs, sledging in winter, or even just going for a walk.  There is nowhere else this side of an extremely busy road, for children to play.
4. Wildlife.  A study commissioned by the developers as part of their planning application failed to mention a number of valuable wildlife assets including buzzards which many of us have seen in the area and whose habitat will be threatened by any development.

This is just the first stage in what may turn out to be a very long process.  Next the application will be considered by Broxtowe Borough Council who will take into account this objection along with all those made by residents.  Don't forget, your voice counts, so write or email the council via the link on their website...and remind your neighbours to do the same.

And even when we might think it is all over and the application is rejected, the developer can always appeal or submit a revised application, so we need to keep up the pressure and ask Broxtowe to make it clear that development on this site will never be approved.  Please post any ideas for strengthening our campaign and any relevant comments on the details of the application.  It was really encouraging to see last night that there are obviously a lot of people in the community who have specialist knowledge of certain areas such as traffic, wildlife, history and so on.  It would be great if you and others could share your knowledge and expertise with the rest of us to give us more ammunition in our fight against this wanton destruction of our last green space.

Nuthall Parish Council meeting tonight

Nuthall Parish Council are holding an extraordinary meeting which includes the Hempshill Hall planning application on the agenda.  It takes place at 7pm at the Temple Community Centre on Nottingham Road.  Looks like a good opportunity to find out more about the proposal and listen to what others think of it.

It is a public meeting and apparently anyone can attend and ask questions.  You can see the agenda by clicking on Parish Council Agenda.

Save Our Fields!

Deadline 9th April

We only have until 9th April to send in comments or objections to Broxtowe Council.  Thats just two weeks!  You can view the application plans and other documents on line and submit comments by clicking here.

Just so you know what we will be losing, I have included a picture of the view across the fields from Low Wood Road.  Let's work together to make sure this is not lost forever for our children and their children.