Community centre demolition plans and huge step for 'new village'
Your weekly round-up of Ashfield news
Good morning and welcome to the second edition of the weekly Ashfield News round up. In addition to breaking news and big stories published throughout the week - this newsletter will arrive in your inbox every Thursday at 8am.
This week, new images show the scale of work taking place at ‘new Nottinghamshire village’, a big plan for a former high street bank and plans to demolish a former community centre.
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Community centre set to be torn down
A former Sutton community centre could be torn down and replaced with two bungalows.
Plans have been submitted for the project at the Brierley House Community Centre in Brierley Road.
The proposal comes after it was revealed in the summer that the centre had become unused and ‘unsustainable’ since the pandemic. According to the Local Democracy Service, the centre had 568 hours of use in the 2019/20 financial year, but last year it stood at just five hours.
Andy Kirkland, the council’s development lead officer, said in the summer: “The community centre review has concluded the two centres (Brierley House and Mill Lane in Huthwaite) in question are not sustainable.
“Demand is limited, income negligible and costs are on the rise. Investing in the centres [and] improving the facilities and connectivity so they are modern and attractive, was not considered viable.”
No date for a decision on the project has yet been announced.
Major step forward on work for ‘new village’
Work on the Top Wighay housing development on the outskirts of Hucknall has taken a major step forward.
The huge patch of land, off the A611, has been fenced off for years but little work has been seen taking place.
Now, there has been an escalation in the development of the ‘new village’, which will eventually include more than 800 homes and a school.
Work is currently taking place to also create Nottinghamshire County Council’s new office, which will be on the site off Annesley Road.
The land is owned by the county council and has been earmarked for development for more than 10 years.
Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Councillor Ben Bradley MP, said: “This a key milestone and shows we are looking to the future. The decision-making function of this Council will be based in the very heart of our county and will help to bring jobs, skills and investment into the wider Hucknall area.
"In going down from 17 offices to 9, we're saving local taxpayers millions, and ensuring that we can prioritise delivering services rather than just running expensive buildings. We've got a plan to make local services more sustainable for local people, for the long term."
Man drove his car at victim in pub car park
A driver who repeatedly hit another man with his car in a pub car park has been jailed.
Ricky Kay had just got into his vehicle and was about to leave when he got into an altercation.
As the argument escalated, Kay decided to not get out of his car but instead drove straight towards the other man.
The 44-year-old victim managed to grab the front of the car as it lurched towards him but was still knocked to the ground.
At that point, Kay turned his vehicle around as the man got up and tried to run him over again – this time launching him onto the bonnet.
He then returned for a third go seconds later, with the victim this time managing to get out of the way without being struck.
Following that failed attempt, Kay finally got out of his vehicle and a fist fight broke out between the pair.
He then drove away from the scene, leaving the victim to go back into The Devonshire Arms, Sutton-in-Ashfield, with cuts to his face.
Police were then called to the scene on May 3 and found Kay’s wallet in the car park, along with a bag of cocaine.
He was arrested shortly after that and was later charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing cocaine.
Having pleaded guilty to the charges, Kay, of Stoneyford Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, appeared before Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (14 December).
The 29-year-old was jailed for two years and three months, while he was also banned from driving for three years.
Decision made on former high street bank’s future
A former bank in Sutton high street is set to be turned into a church, after plans for the project were given the go-ahead.
Proposals submitted on behalf of The New Life in Christ Ministry - The Lord’s Parish show there will be no dramatic changes to the building at 1-3 Outram Street, next to the former Wilko store.
The church would be open on Sundays from 10am-2pm.
In its application to Ashfield District Council, the church said it was ‘important to be in a location where the local community can have easy access and the church can provide charitable community outreach’.
Much of the interior of the building will remain the same. An old bank vault will be used as storage for musical instruments.
A lounging area, kitchen and male and female bathrooms will also be retained, the application confirmed.
Yellow weather warning latest
A yellow weather warning is in place for Nottinghamshire today, Thursday, December 21.
The Met Office says strong winds of almost 50 mph could hit the county throughout the day.
The warning was in place from 12midnight up to 11.59pm.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Strong winds are likely to affect a wide area through Thursday, potentially causing some travel disruption.
“There is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected.”
Grit bins
More than 150 blue grit bins have been filled across the district by members of the Ashfield Independents.
Councillors Tom Hollis and Jason Zadrozny have co-ordinated the team and say they will fill any blue bins and arrange for the county council to fill yellow bins.
Councillor Tom Hollis said, “Over the last few years, Ashfield Independent County Councillors have been using their County Council divisional fund to purchase over 150 blue grit bins. These are located across Ashfield and we have been busy filling these, ready for Christmas and Winter. Please get in touch if you would like your bins filled.”
The Ashfield Independents team have launched a grit box hotline, and are asking residents to get in touch if their grit bins are getting low. Residents can call the hotline on 01623 457 506 or they can email ashfieldindependents@gmail.com.
Cafe on Notts border announces it will stay open
A popular East Midlands cafe has announced it will be staying put after renegotiating its lease.
Officials from Ramblers Coffee Shop, which is based at Shipley Country Park visitor centre, confirmed the news after meeting with Derbyshire County Council.
A spokesperson said: “The most important thing for us is that we have a firmer predictability on the future of Ramblers as a business which enables us to continue to provide employment for our fabulous team. In return, the council benefit from a sustainable and stable business and receive a fair, commercial, return.
“The last few weeks have been another emotional roller coaster journey for all involved and we would like to again send our thanks and much love to our wonderful regular visitors and staff for their incredible support which we will never forget. We look forward to being able to continue to serve you and be a welcoming place to visit and meet friends in the years ahead.”
The team also confirmed their opening hours for the Christmas period, which are as follows:
Christmas Eve - Closed
Christmas Day - Closed
Boxing Day (26 Dec) - open 10am to 3.30pm
Wednesday 27 Dec - open 10am to 3.30pm
Thursday 28 December - open 10am to 3.30pm
Friday 29 December - open 10am to 3.30pm
Saturday 30 December - open 9am to 4.30pm
New Year's Eve (Sun 31 Dec) open 9am to 4pm
New Years Day (1st Jan 2024) - open 10am to 3.30pm
Return to normal winter hours from Tuesday 2 January 2024
Christmas Day pharmacy opening times
A number of pharmacies will be open on Christmas Day, including two in Ashfield.
Pharmacies are able to offer medication if you feel unwell over the festive period, but health chiefs in Notts say if you need urgent care, you can call 111.
Below is the list of pharmacies
Tracking Santa
NORAD has once again confirmed it will be tracking Santa’s trip across the world as he drops off presents throughout the evening of December 24 and the early hours of Christmas Day.
You can follow his trip from Christmas Eve here.
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of Ashfield News. If there is anything we have not included that you would like to see, send an email to matt.bunn@protonmail.com