Electric bus depot at Bus Depot, Sutton Road, Mansfield

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the bus depot and building a garage, workshop, offices, triage and washing facilities, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

“Site Address: Bus Depot, Sutton Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5QH Proposal: DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUS DEPOT AND ERECTION OF NEW GARAGE/WORKSHOP/OFFICE BUILDING, NEW TRIAGE AND WASHING FACILITIES AND NEW EV CHARGING FACILITES WITHIN THE SITE. Applicant: [the applicant] Ltd…”

“A new primary workshop building containing the main garage, parts store, and ancillary office/staff welfare facilities. This building would be sited along the southern boundary of the site, as far away as possible from the residential properties on Sutton Road. • A new, separate bus wash and triage building, located on the eastern boundary of the site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.1-hectare established bus depot contains dated buildings and extensive hardstanding in a commercial area, with terraced homes directly to the north.

“The application site is the existing Mansfield bus depot, an established transport facility located on the south side of Sutton Road (A38), a key arterial route into Mansfield town centre. The site is a large, irregularly shaped parcel of land measuring approximately 2.1 hectares. It is currently occupied by a number of dated depot buildings of various ages and states of repair, which have a total floorspace of 4,035m².”

“The site is situated within a predominantly commercial area. To the immediate west are the grounds of the Bold Forester public house including a large car parking area. There are commercial and industrial buildings to the north. To the east is the William IV Public House and its associated grounds, and to the south is a medical practice and care home together with their associated parking area (on the opposite side of Sutton Road).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the scheme would modernise public transport infrastructure, support electric buses, and avoid significant harm to amenity, highways or ecology.

“The proposal seeks to demolish the existing, dated buildings and replace them with a modern, purpose-built facility for the same use. The primary driver for the redevelopment is to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the transition of the bus fleet to electric vehicles.”

“The results show that the predicted vertical illuminance (light spill) would be below the maximum limits for obtrusive light recommended by the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) for this environmental zone. Therefore, it is considered that the proposal would not result in an unacceptable level of light pollution or harm to the amenity of residents.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

The assessment found acceptable effects on transport, design, biodiversity, drainage and ground conditions, subject to conditions and a 12.38% biodiversity net gain.

“This managed approach ensures that the development would not increase flood risk elsewhere, thereby complying with Policies CC2 and CC3. Ground Conditions The submitted Combined Phase 1 and 2 Geo-Environmental Investigation provide a detailed assessment of the ground conditions at the site.”

Officer report

Consultees and residents

Consultees ultimately raised no objections, subject to conditions, and no letters of representation were received from the public.

“Consultee Received Comments Nottinghamshire County Council - Highways Development Control 04/07/2025 The Highway Authority initially raised a holding objection. They stated that insufficient information had been provided to fully assess the highways and transport implications of the development, requesting a full Transport Assessment and a Travel Plan to be submitted.”

“Consultee Received Comments Ecological Appraisal. They confirm that the proposal's delivery of a +12.38% biodiversity net gain is acceptable and recommend conditions to secure the soft landscaping scheme and the pre-commencement submission of a Biodiversity Gain Plan. Environment Agency 08/05/2025 No objections. The Agency notes that the site is located on a principal aquifer.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and architect, Matt Crawell, spoke under the committee’s public speaking procedure.

What members discussed

Members were advised that the proposed charging provision was 35 electrical charging stations and 70 charging bays, rather than the figures stated in the report.

“Members were advised that there were 35 DC electrical charging stations, and 70 charging bays proposed as detailed on the proposed layout drawings, and not the figure as stated in the report.”

“In respect of the materials, the comments are noted for clarification, being that “Main building depot consists of brick outer with some stone string courses. And the outbuildings are profiled cladding and brick plinth.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor Coxhead proposed approval, Councillor Hammersley seconded it, and the motion passed with ten votes for and none against or abstaining.

“It was proposed by Councillor Coxhead and seconded by Councillor Hammersley that application 2025/0182/FUL to demolition the existing bus depot and erection of a new garage/workshop/office building with new triage and washing facilities, new EV charging facilities within the site be approved…”

“On the motion being put to the vote the chair confirmed that the motion had been approved with ten votes for, no votes against or abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved.

“Resolved – That the application be approved.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Permission was subject to conditions covering construction traffic, contamination, trees, working hours, landscaping, noise, lighting, access, drainage, travel and biodiversity.

“(8) Condition: The hours of work during demolition and construction shall be restricted to 08:00 – 18:00 hours Monday-Friday, and 08:00 – 13:00 hours on Saturdays, with no working on Sundays or Bank Holidays, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

“Paragraph 13 of Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 states that planning permission is deemed to have been granted subject to the condition "the biodiversity gain condition" that development may not begin unless: a) a Biodiversity Gain Plan has been submitted to the planning authority, and b) the planning authority has approved the plan; OR b) the development is exempt from the biodiversity gain condition.”

Officer report