Concerns that Calverton village has been “ruined” and “destroyed” have been raised as plans for its further expansion are set to be decided.
Housebuilder Persimmon submitted plans to Gedling Borough Council in March this year to build up to 154 new homes off Oxton Road in Calverton, close to its nearly finished 363-home development.
Calverton has been growing in size in recent years, with various developments taking shape, and there has been continuing concern that the area is becoming more town-like.
Gedling Borough Council has identified the borders of the village as possible suitable locations for more housing as part of its local plan for the borough’s future development.
Plans state the potential 154-home development, which would sit on land at the end of Stag Drive and Pheasant Way, would be a “logical extension” to Persimmon’s large Forest View estate, which is nearly complete.
Carl Noon, 58, was born in Calverton and has lived in his current home for around 17 years. He said he is “massively against” the proposed new homes and that the village has been “ruined”.
Mr Noon said: “One of the reasons I bought this house was because there used to be orchards. I could walk straight over there into the field — just the feel of it, not having to look out [at homes].
“There are more cars, more traffic, more people you don’t know about, crime has gone up, vans are getting done every weekend… I think it will merge with Arnold.
“It’s just ruined it. It definitely was a village. It doesn’t feel like a village now at all — everyone knew everyone, but you see people walking around and you haven’t got a clue who they are.”
Mr Noon says Calverton is “just scraping by” as a village, with the area becoming more like a town.
Seun Duro-Ishola, 47, has lived in the village for nearly three years and said he did not mind new homes being built, adding: “We can’t keep things the same, things have to evolve.”
However, he says better infrastructure will also have to grow alongside the increasing population in the village.
He said: “If there are new buildings, they should put up more facilities — the amenities need to increase… I think the local council should improve its game.
“I don’t think it’s a village, it’s probably going to be competing with Arnold now.”
If plans are approved, it appears access to the new site would come through the existing new-build development off Park Road, where Pheasant Way and Stag Drive would continue into it.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the plans look “relatively in keeping”, but he had concerns about the current plans having no connection to Oxton Road.
He said: “My fear is it’s going to disrupt [things]… I’d have fewer fears if they were going to connect it to the main road or even the side road.
“If you build 154 more houses in one location, averaging three to four people per household, you’re talking about another 600 people.”
He also called for the “extremely” tired shopping precinct in the village centre to receive further investment to accommodate extra residents.
Another resident, Mrs Cordery, has lived nearby for more than 19 years. She said she “hated” the existing expansion on the north side of the village.
She said: “It’s destroyed ancient hedgerows. There used to be hedgehogs around there. Now there are a lot fewer birds. They’ve destroyed it, it’s not a village anymore.
“There should be more shops and parking, it’s now effectively a town. I can’t get an appointment at the doctors anymore without going online… [the village] had so much life in it.”
The applicant’s planning agents say that 20 per cent of the new homes — 31 in total — would be classed as affordable housing, and new open spaces, including a play area, would be included.
As part of developer financial contributions for the community, Nottinghamshire County Council would seek contributions of £704,256 for primary education, £726,480 for secondary education, £151,350 for post-16 secondary education, and £104,556 for SEND education.
The NHS would seek an £82,365 contribution towards healthcare for future residents, they added.
