Apartments approved at former Nottingham care home site

A block of 20 apartments has been approved on the site of a former care home despite concerns over parking and developer contributions.

Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee gave permission for the plans to go ahead on the land previously used as Highclere Lodge, on Burton Road, Carlton.

However, the meeting on December 1 heard concerns from councillors over the proposed on-site parking, with 16 spaces proposed to accommodate the 20 apartments.

This is the minimum number of parking spaces developers can provide for a 20-home scheme in planning policy guidance.

It comes after the applicant, 2FD Ltd, initially proposed creating 22 apartments before scaling back plans to meet the parking guidelines.

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However, concerns were raised over the level of parking and the impact it could have on an already “over-parked” village.

Councillor Marje Paling (Lab), who represents the Coppice ward, said: “I know they have decreased the number of flats in order to make it possible to provide the minimum number of parking places.

“But given the nature of the area already being over-parked, before we get these additional properties, I’m very conscious of people using the surgeries just along the road – that has insufficient parking – going all along the road and up to Highclere.”

Similar concerns were raised by other members of the committee, as well as issues over the applicant not providing Section 106 developer contributions or marketing any properties as ‘affordable’.

These contributions are sought to support existing infrastructure, such as healthcare and school places, but documents stated the development would be viewed as “unviable” if Section 106 or affordable properties were provided.

The development was given approval overall despite some councillors voting against and others abstaining.

Now the former care home site, which was demolished in 2017, will be redeveloped into a three-storey building with a mix of 15 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments.

Cllr Peter Barnes (Lab), who represents Daybrook, welcomed the scheme and added: “It’s quite a popular area and there’s plenty of public transport for people to use.

“I think this development looks quite pleasant, and we need some of these properties because youngsters can’t afford to get onto the property ladder.”