A long-running plan for housing on the site of a former Mansfield quarry is recommended for approval, nearly 10 years after proposals for the land were first submitted.
The latest plans are for 64 homes and 53 retirement apartments at the disused Gregory Quarry, off the A60 Nottingham Road.
Mansfield District Council planning officers have recommended approval ahead of a meeting of the authority’s planning committee on Monday 12 October.
The current application was submitted in October 2025 and includes the demolition of 2 Garth Road, construction of a new access road at the site and a footpath linking the development with the A60.
The proposed 117 properties represent a significant reduction on earlier plans for the quarry.
Applicant Lee O’Connor first proposed 204 homes on the site in 2017. The scheme went through several revisions before being refused by the council in 2021.
The main reasons for refusal related to the proposed vehicle and pedestrian access from Quarry Lane, opposite the One Call Stadium, and the potential impact on Quarry Lane nature reserve.
The earlier scheme attracted 391 public objections.
Mr O’Connor appealed against the refusal, but the appeal was dismissed by a government planning inspector following an inquiry in 2022.
A separate application was later submitted to demolish 2 Garth Road and replace it with four bungalows. That scheme was approved in September 2023 but was not built.
The property was sold in February 2024, allowing it to be incorporated into plans for a new access to the quarry development.
Under the latest proposals, the housing would include one, two, three and four-bedroom properties.
A report prepared by council planning officers and published on Monday 5 October says the new application has sought to address the two reasons for refusal associated with the previous scheme and appeal.
Officers said the 117 homes would make a “meaningful contribution” to the district’s housing supply.
They also cited the redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site, ecological improvements, public open space, drainage and landscaping improvements, and increased surveillance of an area where anti-social behaviour and unauthorised activity have been reported.
The report concludes that the previous reasons for refusal have, “on balance, been satisfactorily addressed”.
The latest scheme has, however, attracted objections.
Labour councillor Stephen North, whose Oakham ward includes the quarry, has supported the proposals, with the potential to reduce anti-social behaviour at the site among his reasons.
Conservative councillor Liz Langrick has objected, raising concerns about the proposed access and its effect on traffic on the A60, where there is already significant congestion during peak periods.
She has also raised concerns about the stability of the quarry bank, referring to landslides at the former Berry Hill quarry in 2019 and 2020 which resulted in dozens of homes being evacuated.
Around 30 public objections have been submitted to the latest application.
Concerns include the amount of development already taking place in the wider area, pressure on schools, dentists and GP services, parking and claims that the scheme would amount to overdevelopment. Some objectors have also argued that alternative, more community-focused uses for the site should be considered.
Eight comments supporting the plans have also been submitted. Supporters have cited the potential to reduce anti-social behaviour, provide new housing and change the road layout. Some said the new access could reduce vehicle speeds because drivers would need to slow to turn left into the development.
Gregory Quarry, south of Mansfield town centre, has been inactive for around 20 years and lies around 16 metres below ground level.
The application is for outline planning permission, meaning detailed matters including the final layout and house designs would be dealt with at a later stage if permission is granted.
By Joseph Connolly Local Democracy Reporter