Council to buy land for new pub and gateway development
Plus: Rolls-Royce units to be built in district
Good morning and welcome to your Monday briefing from Ashfield News.
Today, the latest step of the West Kirkby Gateway scheme has been confirmed and a decision has been made on industrial units on the outskirts of Hucknall.
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Parcel of land will form key part of Gateway
Ashfield District Council is set to purchase two parcels of open land in Kirkby-in-Ashfield as part of a major new scheme.
The West Kirkby Gateway will lead to the creation of a new pub near the town’s train station, business facilities and a function space.
It will be funded through the £62.6m Towns Fund, which has also been released to fund the boathouse at Kings Mill Reservoir and the Discovery Centre at Sherwood Observatory.
As part of the gateway scheme, Ashfield officers have approved plans to purchase two plots of land from Peveril Homes in Lane End, Kirkby.
The authority will also pay the legal costs of the landowner to move the purchase forward.
The council had acquired the dilapidated Wyvern Club, which is due to be demolished for part of the new development.
A decision on the purchase states: “These two sites are additional land parcels required to deliver/enhance the proposed West Kirkby Gateway scheme.”
It added: “The parcels of land are used as public open space and form part of the adopted highway. The parcel in the north-east corner of the site also contains a small pedestrian footpath linking Millers Way to Kirkby Station car park. It is this parcel which is critical to the delivery of the West Kirkby Gateway scheme.”
The scheme was first announced in August, as artist impressions were released showing what the new pub will look like.
Ashfield District Council says the development will regenerate the west side of the town.
When the plans were released, Matthew Relf, lead member for growth, regeneration and local planning at the council, said: “This project is a unique opportunity for the council to kickstart the regeneration of Kirkby. The location of this project will allow us to create a destination building that provides a gateway entrance to Kirkby town centre for people entering from the west.
“The Wyvern Club currently call the site their home, and the council is in conversation with the club about this project which supports the continued social and railway heritage the site adds to the town. They are supportive of our plans, and we have been looking at options to support the future of their club at the site, or at a new venue. Later this year we will be running an open tender process for a tenant to run the new pub which will be open to anyone who is interested.”
Thief tells police ‘once you pop you can’t stop’
A prolific thief told police ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ after stealing 17 pots of Pringles.
Adam Spencer, who was wanted for a string of burglaries and shop thefts, tried to evade capture by bicycle after police attempted to arrest him in Lammas Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Spencer, 40, was recognised by police on Tuesday, May 28, and was caught by police after attempting to make a getaway.
Among the thefts Spencer committed were two incidents in the early hours of May 2, as he targeted Iceland in Priestic Road, Sutton, and stole more than £300 of stock.
He also stole from Tesco in Alfreton Road, Sutton, on April 11, among other thefts.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed he stole 17 pots of Pringles during one of the incidents, leading him to state the crisp giant’s catchphrase to officers.
Spencer, of Northfield Close in Sutton, admitted to two burglaries and three thefts when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 29.
He was handed a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay £200 compensation and complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement programme.
PC Dean Fenton said: “The actions of prolific thieves like Spencer can have a really negative impact on communities, who don’t want to see their stores targeted again and again.
“Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime. These offences hurt businesses, affect people’s livelihoods, and can ultimately result in shoppers having to pay more for items as prices go up as a result.”
Huge new industrial units to be built
Four major industrial units can be created on land in Hucknall, in a development led by Muse Places and Rolls-Royce.
Outline planning permission was granted for the units at Harrier Park, off Dorey Way, earlier this year.
Now, Ashfield District Council has approved a reserved matters application for the project.
According to the plans, the buildings will be used for storage and distribution and general industrial purposes.
In addition to the units, which will be a combined 303,000sq ft, a new service yard and car park will also be created on the site.
In a design and access statement submitted to the council, the developers said: “The proposed units will follow the precedent set by the first building completed at Harrier Park and the existing ITP Aero building.
“The aims of Muse Places Limited and Rolls-Royce plc are to retain the high design standards and quality already set at the business park.”
It adds: “The development provides a series of buildings and site layouts that provide a contemporary warehouse setting which end users will find easily accessible creating a pleasant environment in which to work and visit.”
Woman attacked outside pub
A woman suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain following an assault outside a pub in Hucknall.
Police were called to High Street at about 8pm on Sunday, May 26.
The victim fell backwards after being punched and hit her head on the pavement, causing her injuries.
She was taken to hospital for treatment but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
A 34-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
She has been bailed with conditions while the investigation continues.
Detective Constable Michaela Williams, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:“This was a nasty assault that left a woman in hospital in a serious condition.
“Nottinghamshire Police condemns all acts of violent behaviour and will never tolerate crimes of this nature taking place in our communities.
“This incident took place at a time when there will have been people in the close vicinity.
“With this in mind, we’d ask that anyone who saw this happen calls the police on 101, quoting incident 605 of 26 May 2024, or contacts Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
New Parliamentary candidates announced
Two new parliamentary candidates have been announced for the Sherwood Forest constituency, which encompasses areas including Hucknall.
David Dobbie (Lib Dems), Sheila Greatrex-White (Green Party), Helen Rose O’Hare (Reform UK) and Mark Spencer (Conservative and Unionist Party) have already confirmed they will be standing for election on July 4.
It has now been confirmed Lee Waters will stand for the Ashfield Independents and Michelle Welsh will be the Labour Party candidate.
Freedom of District for broadcaster
Broadcaster Tom Delahunty has been granted the Freedom of the District – Ashfield’s highest honour.
Mr Delahunty, who has worked at Mansfield 103.2FM since its launch in 1999, was recognised for his ‘remarkable contribution to Ashfield’ during a council meeting on Thursday, May 30.
Jason Zadrozny, leader of the council, said: “Tony Delahunty has been the voice of Ashfield for decades. Mansfield 103.2FM is a major part of community life in our District and Tony and his team have done so much we should be thankful for.”
Also at the meeting, awards were given to town centre manager, Trevor Middleton, who has completed 30 years’ service at Ashfield District Council, and Rachel Madden, who has served 25 years continuously as a councillor.
Travel scheme up for award
A student travel scheme facilitated by Nottinghamshire County Council has been shortlisted for a national award.
The multi-operator ticketing scheme, developed alongside West Nottinghamshire College, NTU, Stagecoach East Midlands and trentbarton has been used for more than 185,000 journeys in its first three months.
It gives students more flexibility than the college’s private bus network
Launched in September 2023, the scheme has now been shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport’s Bus Centre of Excellence Bus Initiative of the Year Award.
Multi-operator season tickets offer students at West Nottinghamshire College and NTU unlimited travel within the catchment area seven days a week.
Tributes after death of firefighter
Tributes have been paid to a firefighter who showed “unwavering commitment”.
Staff at Shirebrook Fire Station, on the Derbyshire border, say they are “heartbroken beyond words” following the death of Simon Poynton.
Mr Poynton, who was born and raised in the town, served for more than 12 years and outside his emergency work he also operated as a painter and decorator and coached the Shirebrook Rangers Youth Team.
A spokesperson for the Shirebrook station said: “As a crew, we cannot express the depth of our heartache and pain. Simon wasn’t just a firefighter; he embodied the standard of loyalty, dedication, and heroism.
“His unwavering commitment to being a firefighter, husband, father, and friend was unparalleled.”
Firefighters in Ashfield have also paid tribute.
A spokesperson for Ashfield Fire Station said: “We send our deepest condolences to Simon’s family, friends and colleagues at Shirebrook Fire Station after this tragic loss.
“Simon, we all thank you for your service.”