The Ashfield District Council Planning Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications, a tree preservation order, and planning appeal decisions. The meeting was due to cover applications for developments in Hucknall, Sutton in Ashfield and Mansfield. Councillor Sarah Madigan, was scheduled to chair the meeting.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to review several planning applications:

• Land at Common Lane, Hucknall An outline planning application with some matters reserved for up to 100 dwellings and associated access was submitted by Aldergate Properties Ltd. Councillors Blagden, Locke, Shaw, Waters and Wilmott objected to the proposals, and 55 public representations objecting to the proposal were received. The application was for land located outside of, but on the edge of Hucknall, in an area designated as Green Belt[^2]. The council was minded to refuse the application. [^2]: Green Belts are areas of land around towns and cities that are protected from development in order to prevent urban sprawl.

  The report stated that the applicant had appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against non-determination of the application, and that the report outlined the considerations and recommendation that officers would defend at the hearing for the appeal. The report noted that the council did not have a 5-year housing land supply of deliverable housing sites, and that the NPPF[^3] sets out the government's objective to significantly boost the supply of homes. [^3]: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is a document produced by the UK Government that sets out planning policy for England.

  The report stated that the applicant had agreed to provide 50% affordable housing, and that this provision could be secured through a section 106 agreement[^4]. [^4]: Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a local planning authority and a developer, used to mitigate the impact of new developments.

  The report recommended that the appeal against non-determination be defended, and that planning permission should be refused.

• 1 Rushcliffe Road, Hucknall Mr Peter Caine submitted an application for the replacement of a timber shed and change of use of the new shed to a barbers (sui generis[^5]) and formation of a new vehicular access. Councillor Dave Shaw called the application into the planning committee. The council was recommended to refuse the application. [^5]: Sui generis is a Latin term meaning of its own kind . In planning terms, it refers to a use that does not fall within any of the Use Classes Order categories.

  The report stated that the application site consists of a two-storey, semi-detached dwelling located on the corner of Rushcliffe Road and Nabbs Lane, and is within the main urban area of Hucknall. The report noted that the applicant already has an existing retail unit for their business use located on Robin Hood Drive, and that the Town Centre/Local Centre Study (2023) highlights that in Hucknall Town Centre alone, there were 10 vacant units at the time of the study.

• Northern Depot, Station Road, Sutton in Ashfield Ashfield District Council submitted an application for the demolition of a neighbourhoods building, creation of a new car park, external alterations to an existing administration building and installation of a lift, and erection of a 3m high acoustic fence. The council was recommended to approve the application.

  The report stated that the site falls within an established mixed-use area, with other commercial premises to the east, south and west, residential properties to the north, east, south and west, and a railway line to the south and east. The report noted that one comment had been received from residents, who neither objected nor supported the application, but raised concerns about the demolition destroying outbuildings and garages built against the building to be demolished, and that the 3m fence would significantly reduce privacy and increase potential intrusion.

Tree Preservation Order

The committee was scheduled to discuss a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at Upper Pirton, Derby Road, Mansfield. The recommendation was to confirm the Tree Preservation Order without modification.

The report stated that two letters had been received from residents, one from the owner of the property, and one from a neighbouring resident, raising concerns that the TPO may create issues with future occupiers, that the trees require regular pruning, that allowed to grow unchecked the trees would pose a danger and impact on quality of life, and that not all the trees are worth protecting.

Planning Appeal Decisions

The committee was asked to note recent planning appeal decisions.

The report stated that an appeal against refusal of planning permission for demolition of an existing side extension and removal of a conifer hedge and new extension and new hawthorn hedge at 51 Dales Avenue, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4BY had been dismissed.

The report also stated that an appeal against refusal of planning permission for a single storey side extension and change of use to residential and dog grooming business at 8 Cedar Close, Skegby had been dismissed.