Five employment starter units at Land Off Shilo Way, Awsworth

What was proposed

The application proposed two light industrial buildings containing five employment starter units, with parking, servicing, landscaping and access works.

“The application seeks approval for 2 light industrial buildings comprising of 5 employment starter units including car parking areas, service yard, cycle storage and associated soft landscaping. The proposal will create a total of 1,270.5 square metres of light industrial floor space. The site area is 2.42 acres (0.98 hectares).”

“The proposed access includes an extension of the existing private road that leads off Shilo Way. The scheme includes works to the access to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. The proposed building would be sited up to the north-western boundary that comprises of a strip of woodland that runs north to south. Parking and turning areas would be provided to the east of the proposed units.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies in the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt between the former Bennerley Ironworks or Colliery and Shilo Way, near Bennerley Viaduct and woodland.

“The application site is situated on land between the site of the former Bennerley Ironworks / Colliery and Shilo Way / A6096. The site is located within the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt.”

“To the south-west of the employment site is grade II* Listed Building Bennerley Viaduct. Planning permission and Listed Building Consent were recently granted for a visitor centre, ramp and parking. The site has been excavated to support the adjacent Bennerley Viaduct visitor centre development. Prior to this, the site had been undeveloped historically.”

Officer report

Planning history and funding

Earlier permissions included development connected with Bennerley Viaduct, while funding was intended to deliver new business premises and could be lost if deadlines were missed.

“Broxtowe Borough Council applied for and was successful in being awarded £16.5 million in January 2023 for government funding for a project called “Kimberley Means Business.” The key rationale for the project was to replace jobs and opportunities that had been lost in that community over several years.”

“Part of the bid is based on the need to deliver new business premises to replace those sites lost to housing development, and it is proposed to redirect some of LUF resources to deliver the proposed development.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions, while the parish council supported biodiversity and highway safeguards and raised parking concerns.

“Broxtowe Tree Officer – No objections. • Broxtowe Parks and Open Spaces – Biodiversity measures recommended including tree planting, habitat piles, reptile hibernaculums, bird and bat boxes. • Broxtowe Environmental Health – No objections subject to conditions relating to operational and construction noise mitigation measures. • Broxtowe Contamination Officer – No objections.”

“- The application site was not used as an operational part of the former coal disposal point to the west. It formed an area of meadowland. - Concerns raised in relation to the impact on ecology and biodiversity. All precautionary working measures and enhancements referenced in the supporting Ecological Appraisal should be conditioned. - Off-site biodiversity net gain using land in Awsworth Parish would be supported.”

Officer report

Resident concerns

One resident raised concern about parking on the extended access road and suggested double yellow lines.

“Resident comments - 1 comment was received raising the following concerns:”

“Parking on the extended access road. On street parking deterrents should be implemented i.e. double yellow lines.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke on behalf of the applicant before the committee’s general debate.

What members debated

Members debated the defensibility of the Green Belt after Shilo Way was breached, increased traffic and the scheme’s distance from Kimberley.

“The Committee noted all the information pertaining to the application. The debate focused on the defensibility of the Green Belt once the boundary of Shilo Way had been breached, increased traffic and disappointment that the development could not be closer to Kimberley, as the funding for it has come from the Kimberley Means Business scheme.”

Minutes