A proposal to increase the size of a small parcel of land to be sold off Flawforth Lane in Edwalton is set to be considered by Nottinghamshire County Council, as part of ongoing arrangements linked to a major housing development in the area.
A report to the Director of Economy, Environment and Assets, dated 2 April 2026, seeks approval to amend a previously agreed disposal of land, increasing the area from around 28 square metres to approximately 50 square metres.
The land forms part of a larger site originally acquired by the county council in July 1984 for highways road straightening purposes. However, that use is no longer required, allowing the authority to consider its disposal.
The proposed sale is linked to the Edwalton Fields development, where housebuilder Vistry Homes is delivering around 950 properties to the north of Flawforth Lane. The developer currently has a surface water outfall in the area, but due to changes in legislation and the fact the existing infrastructure sits on unregistered land, it must now be relocated to a registered parcel.
While an initial area of land had been identified to accommodate this, further technical requirements mean a larger section is needed to allow for a Section 104 sewer easement. The report states that increasing the land area would remove the need for separate easement agreements within the transfer, with the developer agreeing to a higher purchase price to reflect the larger site.
Alternative options were considered, including taking no action or granting an easement to allow drainage infrastructure to remain on council land. However, officers rejected these approaches. The report highlights that granting an easement could expose the council to potential liability if future issues such as downstream flooding were to arise, even if indemnity agreements were in place.
Instead, the recommended approach is to dispose of the full 50 square metre area, transferring responsibility for the drainage infrastructure to the developer and reducing risk to the authority.
The report also notes that the drainage proposals have been subject to technical assessment, including micro-drainage modelling, and have been approved by Severn Trent Water as meeting required design standards and addressing flood risk considerations.
If approved, the sale would generate a capital receipt for the council, with the purchaser covering associated legal and professional costs.
The decision falls under delegated powers previously agreed in September 2023, meaning it can be determined by the Director rather than requiring a full committee decision.
The land lies within the West Bridgford South electoral division.
