Question 1 - Question to the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economy and Growth – asked by Joan Sharp
Have you considered the effect of the Wighay housing development on the inadequate healthcare, road networks, secondary schools and flooding issues in Hucknall which due to the location of the development will mean residents living in the houses will be reliant on the already inadequate infrastructure currently in place?
Question 2 – Question to the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economy and Growth – asked by Jodie-Ana Van Alten
Given the rapid pace of development being permitted across the borough, how does the council justify continuing to approve large-scale projects when the supporting infrastructure—such as roads, healthcare, schools, and public transport—is already stretched to its limits and, in many cases, operating at or beyond capacity. This situation appears increasingly unsustainable for both existing and new residents. Can you outline the council’s strategic agenda to ensure that infrastructure investment keeps pace with development and that essential services are not pushed to the brink?
Minutes:
Two questions were received from members of the public. The questions and answers were as follows:
1) Question to the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economy and Growth – asked by Joan Sharp
Have you considered the effect of the Wighay housing development on the inadequate healthcare, road networks, secondary schools and flooding issues in Hucknall which due to the location of the development will mean residents living in the houses will be reliant on the already inadequate infrastructure currently in place?
Response from Councillor Hollingsworth:
Thank you for the question. In determining the application for planning permission for the development at Top Wighay Farm the Council did have careful regard to all these matters and consulted with statutory and other specialist consultees who provided appropriate advice. The impact of the development is mitigated through the imposition of conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement. The Section 106 agreement requires the housing developer to provide land for the construction of a primary school along with a contribution of £4.75m for its delivery. Other contributions include £802,500 toward highways including public transport provision and £436,209 toward healthcare improvements along with extensive areas of public open space within the development. In terms of drainage, detailed technical information has been provided and this has been independently assessed by technical experts at the County Council and the Environment Agency, prior to approval.
2) Question to the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economy and Growth – asked by Jodie-Ana Van Alten
Given the rapid pace of development being permitted across the borough, how does the council justify continuing to approve large-scale projects when the supporting infrastructure—such as roads, healthcare, schools, and public transport—is already stretched to its limits and, in many cases, operating at or beyond capacity. This situation appears increasingly unsustainable for both existing and new residents. Can you outline the council’s strategic agenda to ensure that infrastructure investment keeps pace with development and that essential services are not pushed to the brink?
Response from Councillor Hollingsworth:
Thank you for the question. The Government sets a method for calculating local housing need in order to provide a minimum number of homes. The National Planning Policy Framework was revised in December 2024 and sets a minimum requirement for 631 new homes to be delivered within the borough per annum. If the Council is unable to deliver this number of homes or cannot demonstrate a housing land supply of 5 years, there will be risk of speculative development taking place in less sustainable locations within the borough.
The Council is currently progressing the Gedling Local Development Plan which will include policies and allocations for the future growth of the borough. The Council will continue to work closely with partners and key stakeholders, including Nottinghamshire County Council and the NHS, to ensure appropriate infrastructure improvements are delivered to mitigate the impact of any planned development. The Gedling Local Development Plan will be supported by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan which will use evidence to set out the type of infrastructure improvements, such as schools, highway improvements and health provision, required to support the identified growth within the borough
The Council secures infrastructure contributions through Section 106 agreements which provide mitigation for any direct impacts of a development and also through the Community Infrastructure Levy which helps fund infrastructure projects