Plans have been submitted for a new surfaced pedestrian route linking the Fairham development with the Clifton South tram terminus and park-and-ride site.
The full planning application, submitted by Fairham Pastures Developments Limited and Homes England, proposes formalising a route that residents are already using between the development and Nottingham Express Transit services.
The application site covers approximately 800 square metres, or 0.08 hectares, between Fairham Way and Clifton South Park and Ride. It lies within the Rushcliffe Borough Council area.
According to the planning statement, an informal path has developed as the number of occupied homes at Fairham has increased. Residents have been crossing grassland and landscaped embankments to reach the tram stop directly because of its proximity to the development.
The existing route is not surfaced, does not have defined crossing facilities and can become difficult to use during poor weather. It also lacks features intended to make it accessible to people with mobility difficulties or visual impairments.
Under the proposals, a hard-surfaced footpath would follow the established route and connect with existing footways at either end. The scheme would include a new pedestrian crossing point, tactile paving, dropped kerbs, bollards and alterations to the existing embankments.
The applicants say the link would provide a direct, all-weather route to the tram network and improve access for people of different ages and abilities.
Although the application refers to the scheme as an active travel link, the development described in the planning documents is a pedestrian route rather than a separate cycleway.
Existing native scrub would be retained where possible, with additional planting, grass and wildflower seeding proposed alongside the path. The planting scheme includes hazel, hawthorn, alder buckthorn and guelder rose.
The site is smaller than 0.1 hectares and, according to the applicants, does not contain priority habitat. The planning statement says the development therefore qualifies for the small-sites exemption from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, although new planting would still be provided.
Outline planning permission for the wider Clifton South development, now known as Fairham, was granted in May 2019 under application 14/01417/OUT. Homes and employment premises have since been built and occupied across parts of the site.
The applicants say the development already has approved pedestrian connections and that the proposed additional link was not required as part of the original outline permission. Part of the new route is within the outline planning boundary, but a full application has been made because another section falls outside it.
Fairham is being developed as a major mixed-use extension south of Clifton, with the Clifton South tram terminus providing a direct public transport connection towards Nottingham city centre.
The planning statement argues that the route complies with national and local policies supporting walking, accessible design and connections to public transport. It says the small-scale scheme would not cause unacceptable effects through noise, overlooking, loss of privacy or changes to the surrounding landscape.
The application has been submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council under reference 26/01439/FUL. Planning permission has not yet been granted, and the council will determine whether the work can proceed after considering the application and any consultation responses.
The submitted documents do not give a proposed construction timetable or state how much the scheme would cost.
