'Poor' village building next to pub could be torn down
Plus: A 'drugs den' home has been shut down
Good morning everyone. Here is your Monday update on everything that has been happening across Ashfield.
In this newsletter, a drugs den home has been closed, there is an update on the Kirkby banking hub and plans have been put forward to demolish a village building and create flats in its place.
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Building ‘in poor condition’ may be demolished
Plans have been announced to demolish a residential building in Skegby and create a block of flats.
The home in Forest Road, described as being “in a largely poor condition”, would make way for an 11-bed complex, next to the Rifle Volunteer pub.
In addition to demolishing the current home at the site, linked buildings would also be brought down to create the development, planning documents state.
A design and access statement for the project states: “The existing building is a detached residential dwelling with associated garage and outbuilding.
“The dwelling has been extended in recent history but still remains in largely poor condition.
“The original building is suffering from major defects including damp and structure issues.
“The plot the dwelling sits within is substantial and offers a good opportunity for redevelopment to make a more efficient use of the land.”
Drugs den shut down and warning issued
A drugs den in Ashfield which had a “prolonged and detrimental impact” on residents has been shut down.
Police say evidence from people in the area showed the property in Glenside, Kirkby in Ashfield, had been used for a variety of anti-social behaviour, including drug use.
The force says it had become a “blight” on the local community
A closure order for the property was approved by Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 3.
The order states only members of the emergency services or Ashfield District Council are able to enter the address for a period of three months.
A spokesperson for the Kirkby in Ashfield Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This address was having a prolonged and detrimental impact on the local community, including residents that live nearby the address.
“Attempts have been made to support the occupants to cease this behaviour, but these were not listened to.
“The property had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour because of drug use, and it is thanks to this closure order that we will be able to effectively disrupt and prevent the behaviour from occurring further.”
Work taking place inside new town banking hub
Work is well under way to create a new banking hub in Kirkby in Ashfield town centre.
The site, part of the Moor Market development, is one of 68 hubs being created across the UK by Cash Access UK.
The centres allow customers of multiple banks to deposit and withdraw money, get face-to-face help and carry out regular transactions.
Private rooms are also available for one-to-one discussions.
New football pitch set to be built on derelict land
Planners are being advised to approve a proposal to to turn a derelict spot of land at Sutton Lawn into a football pitch.
The project would involve converting a derelict shale pitch into a grass 11v11 football pitch.
It would form part of a wider sports hub project at the Lawn and would be managed by Sutton Academy, in partnership with Ashfield District Council.
The proposal is due to be discussed by the district council’s planning committee on Wednesday, June 12.
It is recommended for approval.
The planners state: “It is considered that the proposed change would help to assimilate the site back into the wider recreation ground, and result in an overall enhancement to the character of the area.
“The development is also considered to enhance the significance of Sutton Lawn as a non-designated heritage asset.”
Movies confirmed for Films in the Park
The movies being shown at this summer’s Films in the Park have been confirmed.
The free event at Selston Country Park on Saturday, June 22, will also include inflatables, a bar, fairground rides, face painting and live music.
There will be two screenings on the day.
The Little Mermaid will be showing at 1pm and The Greatest Showman will be the feature from 6.30pm.
Man who looked after cannabis farm jailed
A man who looked after a cannabis factory in Sutton-in-Ashfield has been jailed.
Nottinghamshire Police officers discovered the property in Fireman’s Row was significantly hotter than neighbouring properties.
They later discovered a man acting suspiciously inside and items linked to cannabis cultivation were also found outside.
Police raided the property on February 23 and found more than 400 plants were being grown inside.
Dori Sado, 38, was found hiding in the loft and was arrested at the scene.
Sado, formerly of Firemans Row, Sutton-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.
He was jailed for 12 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on May 31.
A closure order was also put in place to prevent it being occupied for at least three months.
Detective Sergeant Clint Gloyn, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Cannabis grows of this nature are a major fire risk and pose a significant danger to neighbouring properties.
"As is typical in these case, the electrical supply in this property had been illegally bypassed and the outlets within were dangerously overloaded.
"When combined with the huge quantity of flammable material inside the address, these illegal modifications could easily have caused a very serious fire.
"That's why we urge local residents to tell us about properties they believe are being used in this way as soon as possible."
New wildlife area progress at fire station
Work is progressing to create a new pond and wildlife area at Ashfield Fire Station.
The area around the site in Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, is intended to be used by the local community and schools for educational purposes.
Some of the wooded area has now been cleared for a path to be put down, while bird feeders have been fitted to trees.
The fire station also took a donation of fish for its pond.
A spokesperson for the station said: “We really do have a great community.”