Rapid progress on 'new village' and plans for new sport facility
Your weekly round-up of Ashfield News
Good morning and welcome to this week’s edition of Ashfield News. Today, plans have been announced for a new sports facility in Kirkby and an update on the progress of a “new village” in our district.
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New bowls pavilion plan
Plans have been put forward to create a “high quality” bowls pavilion in a Nottinghamshire park.
The current changing rooms and café building at Kingsway Park, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, would also be partially demolished as part of the plans, making way for a new changing facility and an extended car park.
In recent years the site has undergone a number of changes, including a new youth area, skate park and synthetic sports pitch.
The new pavilion would be situated close to Hodgkinson Road, the plans show.
The plans, put forward by Anotherkind Architects on behalf of Ashfield District Council, state: “The vision responds to the current and future needs of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, with the overall aim of providing a high-quality environment and sustainable development.”
A decision is due on the project by May 21.
Man jailed after killing student in crash
A Kirkby-in-Ashfield man who killed a university student while trying to evade police has been jailed.
Joshua Gregory, pictured above, killed Nottingham Trent University postgraduate student Oshada Jayasundera when his Ford Focus ST hit him at speed as the 31-year-old was crossing the road.
Oshada, described by the university as an ‘engaged and committed’ student who was well respected by his peers and tutors, was with a group of friends when he was struck in Huntingdon Street, Nottingham.
He was treated by police officers and paramedics but died at the scene of the collision, which happened shortly after 3.20am on December 13 last year.
After hitting Oshada, Gregory continued to drive up Huntingdon Street before his car smashed into a traffic light and bollard.
The 28-year-old, of Westfield Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, ran off but was quickly detained and arrested.
Gregory was subsequently charged and went on to plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was jailed for nine years and was banned from driving for12 years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (28 March 2024).
The judge, Recorder Paul Mann, said Gregory had treated city roads like a ‘racetrack’ and driven dangerously in a ‘prolonged, persistent and deliberate’ manner.
In a statement, the family of Oshada (pictured below), who live in Sri Lanka, said: “Our beloved Oshada Jayasundera was very close to our hearts and can never be forgotten.
"He travelled to Great Britain to obtain his third master's degree in project management. During his stay in Britain, he was a studious, humble, law abiding, cooperative, agreeable, and resourceful person who displayed leadership qualities.
"Our family will never recover from this loss for the rest of our lives. We will have to live with it, suffering every single second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, and all the years to come.
"This is a huge loss for us, and I hope no one will endure this pain that we are suffering."
Major progress on ‘new village’
Rapid progress is being made to create a new Nottinghamshire County Council office.
The authority’s new headquarters will be situated on the Top Wighay development, off the A611 between Hucknall and Annesley Woodhouse.
When complete, the development, which has been called a ‘new village’ due to its size, is set to include an estimated 800 homes and a school.
The site has been awaiting development for the last 10 years, with work beginning in earnest in January.
As it was announced work was starting on the county council office, 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.”
Ashfield tennis courts re-open after works
Renovated tennis courts at Huthwaite Welfare Park and Sutton Lawn are now open for bookings after undergoing £160,000 improvement works..
Ashfield District Council worked with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which funded the work to install new access gates, fencing, resurfacing, and colouring at both parks.
The courts will be managed by We Do Tennis and to ensure their long-term future, a small booking fee has been introduced to pay for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Chairman of the council, Dale Grounds, said”
“We know how much residents value access to modern sports pitches, courts, and buildings, so this work will allow more people to enjoy tennis. If we can encourage more people to take up the sport with these upgraded facilities then it’s fantastic. Working with the LTA is bringing much-needed investment, and will support the Council’s ongoing commitment to providing quality facilities in our award-winning parks and green spaces.”
Andy Moss, Head of Parks – We Do Tennis C.I.C, said:
“We Do Tennis’ is a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving, growing, and securing the future of tennis at all levels. We are extremely excited to be working with Ashfield District Council and the residents of the local area to provide a first-class tennis offering including LTA Free Park Tennis, coaching, and other tennis activities. Improving the facilities is a great first step and our role is to activate tennis in the area and get lots of happy people with a racket in their hand.”
Good rating for town school
A Nottinghamshire school has retained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
Inspectors described Rufford Primary and Nursery in Hoewood Road, Bulwell, as a ‘happy school', with the “majority of parents and carers” having a positive view of the school.
The inspection report, published at the end of March, states the school has an ‘ambitious’ curriculum and has the same ambition for all its pupils.
In areas to improve, the report states teachers do not, on occasions, provide pupils with tasks precisely matched to their understanding. It adds that not all pupils demonstrate respectful behaviour consistently.