Rushcliffe Borough’s element of the draft local plan for the Greater Nottingham area focuses on accommodating sustainable development while balancing housing needs, employment opportunities, and environmental protection.
The draft plan, which can be accessed in full at the end of this article is open for consultation until Monday 16 December 2024.
Broxtowe Borough, Gedling Borough, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Borough Councils are consulting on the Publication Draft of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (Regulation 19).
This article only covers the Rushcliffe area of the plan.
Go to this link to make your comments
Key Housing Allocations
Rushcliffe Borough aims to provide sustainable development through strategic urban extensions and key settlement areas. The borough has a diverse housing plan, driven by a mix of urban expansion, infill, and strategic rural development.
Below are key housing locations:
Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs):
• Melton Road, Edwalton: Approximately 1,800 homes are planned, with 1,270 already constructed as of March 2023. Full completion is expected by March 2031.
• South of Clifton (Fairham Pastures): Recently commenced, this strategic site will provide about 3,000 homes, all of which are expected to be delivered within the plan period.
• East of Gamston/North of Tollerton: This area aims to deliver around 4,000 homes, with approximately 2,700 expected to be built by 2041 and the remainder beyond the plan period. Planning permission for this strategic allocation is still pending.
These urban extensions were selected for inclusion in the Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy, adopted in 2014. The land was previously part of the Green Belt and was released specifically to accommodate these developments.
Additional Strategic Allocations:
• North of Bingham: A total of 1,050 homes are being constructed, with 429 already completed. The remaining homes are expected to be delivered by 2028.
• Former RAF Newton: This site will provide 528 homes, with 115 already built. Completion is expected by 2028.
• Former Cotgrave Colliery: The 463 planned homes have already been delivered, but approximately 2 hectares of employment land remain to be developed.
Key Settlement Growth
Beyond the main urban extensions, other growth areas have been identified to meet sustainability goals:
Key Settlements
Development will be focused on six key settlements: Bingham, Cotgrave, East Leake, Keyworth, Radcliffe on Trent, and Ruddington.
Housing growth in these areas will rely on already allocated sites, existing planning permissions, and infill or windfall opportunities.
Smaller Settlements
Additional housing development will take place on a smaller scale in other rural settlements. This will include the use of already allocated sites, conversions, and exception sites. There are no plans to allocate more land adjacent to these settlements for housing during the plan period.
Affordable Housing and Rural Housing Needs
Affordable Housing Strategy: Rushcliffe has a significant focus on addressing housing affordability. The borough requires 75% of affordable housing to be for rent (split evenly between social and affordable rent) and 25% for affordable homeownership options, such as shared ownership. This balanced approach aims to address the local housing needs effectively.
Rural Exception Sites
Where local need is demonstrated, rural exception sites or affordable housing allocations may be permitted within or adjacent to rural settlements. Such housing is meant to be available only to people with a local connection to the settlement, with provisions for a cascade mechanism if homes remain unoccupied.
Infrastructure and Community Considerations
Transport and Connectivity
Rushcliffe’s development strategy emphasises improving transport connectivity, particularly for the major urban areas and settlements that form part of the Greater Nottingham conurbation.
The NET tram extension to Clifton, which passes through parts of Rushcliffe at Wilford and Compton Acres, aims to enhance accessibility to Nottingham City Centre. However, accessibility issues persist in the rural parts of the borough due to less developed transport links.
Employment Areas
Rushcliffe also includes significant employment land, such as the development adjacent to the A453, near the NET terminus and Park and Ride. This employment hub is expected to provide opportunities without being overly dominant in the landscape. Collaboration between Rushcliffe Borough and Nottingham City Councils will be crucial for the success of this project.
Environment and Green Spaces
Green Belt and Conservation
Approximately 40% of Rushcliffe is within the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt. The urban extensions in Rushcliffe were achieved by removing land from the Green Belt, but no further Green Belt land adjacent to the main urban areas is planned for release during this period.
Rushcliffe also boasts a rich heritage, including 31 Conservation Areas, over 680 Listed Buildings, and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Summary
With an anticipated housing supply of 14,144 homes by 2041, the borough’s strategy exceeds its target of 11,360 homes, providing a buffer against potential under-delivery due to delays or other challenges.
