Industrial estate in Mansfield Woodhouse could become 150 new homes

The former Marshalls’ site, off Oxclose Lane, could soon make way for homes after an application was submitted to Mansfield District Council’s planning department.

The site, next to the Robin Hood railway line, consists of 3.4 hectares and is described as being “largely derelict with little hope of attracting future businesses”, according to the applicant, Essex-based Westlake Properties.

The area, which contains an old concrete batching plant, is not a designated employment area, with the applicant claiming it would be more suitable to be used for housing.

The plans submitted show a mixed number of properties from two to five bedrooms.

There could also be “clusters” of three-storey buildings, earmarked for the east and south-east of the site, with two-storey homes built towards the north and north-west in a bid to prevent privacy and light issues from the taller buildings.

There will be up to 225 parking spaces, some on driveways of the homes while others will be placed in communal areas.

A public square would also be created, with a grassed area and children’s play park.

Following an assessment, the applicant suggests Oxclose Lane would be the best route into the new site, providing there are improvements made to the road, which is currently a single-lane track.

A railway bridge which runs over the lane is also deemed to be suitable, despite the road narrowing directly beneath.

A decision is expected from the council by July.

A statement on behalf of the applicants reads: “It constitutes largely derelict and unsightly previously developed land.

“The remaining buildings are dated, in poor condition and unsuited to modern commercial needs.

“This and its location, remote and inaccessible from the road network, render it of little or no relevance to the market in its current use, particularly when other, better-located, more modern and more attractive industrial sites in the area are taken into account.

“It’s low-grade industrial use is incompatible with and damaging to the adjoining housing.”