Hello and welcome to this week’s edition…following a week’s break for illness.
In today’s edition, the future of a major housing development is in the air and the fate of a village Post Office is decided.
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130-homes plan decision
Plans to build more than 130 homes in a Nottinghamshire town have been dealt a blow, as plans for site access was rejected.
Planning permission had been put forward for 131 properties on land off Hayden Lane in Hucknall.
The development would have adjoined the Sherwood Gate development, where the majority of 255 homes have already been built.
The land where the estate was to be built fell within Gedling's constituency. The access to the site was in Ashfield.
Therefore, the district council could only consider this matter when discussing the development.
But in its decision notice, planners said: "Significant concerns have been raised by local residents and the local parish councils regarding the strain that the proposed development would have on local services and amenities, given that the proposed development is located within the administrative boundary of Gedling Borough Council, yet any future residents would be largely dependent on services and amenities in Hucknall."
Post Office to become home
A proposal to convert the Annesley Woodhouse Post Office into a home has been approved.
A two-storey extension will also be created for the property in Forest Road, according to the plans submitted to Ashfield District Council.
A report confirming the decision by the council states: "The proposed change of use from shop floor area to residential with a two-storey rear extension and reduced in size window to the front elevation would be in-keeping and context with the surrounding residential properties."
Vulnerable woman found near golf club
A vulnerable woman was found during a cold evening in Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire Police used a drone to locate the vulnerable individual, who was in her 70s.
She had been reported missing from the Huthwaite area and deemed to be at high risk of harm.
A force drone operator used a thermal imaging camera and eventually discovered a heat signature near a wooded area on the evening of February 29.
The woman was eventually found safe and well close to Brierley Forest Golf Club.
Sergeant Vince Saunders, chief drone pilot at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was another excellent example of how effective our drones can be at finding missing people in time critical situations.
“With darkness setting in along with cold and rain it was imperative that we found this lady as soon as possible."
New school approved
Councillors have approved plans to build a new school in Mansfield for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The facility will be built on the former Ravendale School site with a capacity for up to 160 pupils aged seven to 19.
The plans were approved by Nottinghamshire County Council and the school is expected to open next year.
Councillor Sam Smith, cabinet member for education and SEND, said: "It’s great news that planning consent has been given for this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, and is a significant step forward in making sure we have sufficient places for our SEND children across Nottinghamshire.
“Building a school like this will provide a specific and specialist learning environment for pupils with autism and social, emotional, and mental health needs.
“It is also a key aim of our SEND place planning strategy to help more young people to access the education they need, near to where they live."
The new school will feature sensory zones and calm spaces.
Each key stage will also be accommodated in four or six classrooms to promote a 'small school' feel.
Cattle theft
Police are appealing for witnessesfollowing reports of thieves stealing sheep and cattle from a field.
The incident happened at a field in Salmon Lane, Annesley, between Monday, February 26 at 6pm and 9am on Tuesday, February 27.
Two cows and two sheep were taking during the incident and investigations are now under way.
Anybody who is approached to buy the animals should contact the police.
The cows are Highland cattle - a ginger male anda Belgian blue female.
PC John Pearson, who is investigating the incident, said: “We take all reports of rural crime extremely seriously and know how detrimental this theft will have been to the owners.
“Searches have taken place to rule out the possibility the animals have escaped the field. However, at this moment in time we are treating this incident as theft.”
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 0298 of the 27 February 2024 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Decision made on new Ashfield theatre
A multi-million pound to transform the Sutton Community Academy Theatre has been given the go-ahead.
Ashfield District Council approved the £6.2m development during a planning committee last week.
The proposal includes renovating the theatre itself and reconfiguring it to create a new community space that will accommodate a range of performances and acts.
Work is expected to start this summer and is due to be completed in early 2025.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration, and Local Planning, said
“This project will help us achieve our goals of creating a vibrant and safe night-time economy in Ashfield. As the new Planetarium will connect young people to space and raise their aspirations, Cornerstone Theatre will ignite their creativity and imagination. We are so proud to be investing in arts and culture, to allow more people of all backgrounds, young and old, in Ashfield and beyond to experience the magic of cinema, live theatre and music in an easy to access place."
New dressing rooms, a green room and roilets will also be created at the site.
A retractable seating system will be put in place.
Simon Martin, Vice Principal at ATTFE said: "ATTFE is hugely excited to be involved in the inception and the future running of the Cornerstone facility. Sutton-in-Ashfield and the surrounding area has long needed investment in and opportunities for cultural experiences of all sorts, and Cornerstone will provide these for the direct communities, neighbourhoods, and families that we serve."
Ashfield Show to return
The Ashfield Show is returning in 2024 for the first time in more than a decade.
The decision follows the success of Ashfield Day in 2022, when 12,000 attended a free family fun day at Sutton Lawn.
Sutton Lawn will play host to the new three-day event which will run on Friday 9 August, Saturday 10 August, and Sunday 11 August.
Full details of the event will be released in the coming months, but Ashfield District Council says people can expect music, community performances, food, drink, the market village, activities and so much more.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said: "I am ecstatic to be able to announce the highly anticipated return of the Ashfield Show.
"Residents have been telling us how much they missed the free show, so we have listened and we are bringing it back. It won’t quite be the show everyone remembers just yet, give us a couple of years to build it back up to that. However, the Ashfield Show will be a huge celebration of Ashfield, and promises to be the best weekend of the year.”