Kirkby residents get more time to object to housing plans after council emails bounced back

Residents “furious” at a major housing development in Kirkby-in-Ashfield have been granted more time to raise their concerns after fears some objections may not have been received due to a council email problem.
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The Chad reported that Coxmoor estate residents were angry at a scheme to build 214 residential dwellings and ancillary works on ‘The Pond,’ at Coxmoor Lodge Farm, accessed from Farm View Road and Walesby Drive.

Ashfield District council received proposals from Mr M Jackson, Gleeson Regeneration Ltd, Ms D Marles, Mr M & Mrs W Rollinson, with agents Gleeson Regeneration Ltd, on August 8. Objections were due by Thursday, September 3.

Coxmoore residents protest - PIcture Lee AndersonCoxmoore residents protest - PIcture Lee Anderson
Coxmoore residents protest - PIcture Lee Anderson
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But when campaigners attempted to email their protests some bounced back sparking fears that views would not be heard

Campaigner Sarah Cadwalader said “People complained the email provided in the council’s letter wasn’t working.

"I spoke with the council and was told the email inbox was full, that's why it was bouncing back. Essentially, that could have meant that an untold number of objections could have been lost. The council has now extended the deadline for objections to September 30."

MP Lee Anderson said: "In this day and age when councils insist people use online systems to object to planning, especially now amid Covid 19, it is not good enough that their system didn’t work. People were not happy.

Land earmarked for development at Kirkby in Ashfield - Google MapLand earmarked for development at Kirkby in Ashfield - Google Map
Land earmarked for development at Kirkby in Ashfield - Google Map
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"Coxmoor residents are furious at this development. They have now been called in and the time to object extended, it’s a small victory for residents.”

Councillor Matthew Relf, Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning and Regeneration said: “We are aware of the issue which was detected by our monitoring systems.

"We rapidly made the necessary adjustments to resolve the issue and have also extended the consultation period for this application until the end of the month.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused but would like to reassure residents that all comments will be considered. Residents can resubmit their comments if they have any concerns.”

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Abbey Hill councillor Andy Meakin said: “I am concerned Coxmoor would not be able to cope. it’s too big a development for our area. I’ve ‘called in’ the application to the council’s planning committee and it will be discussed in about 13 weeks.

“I’d encourage anyone having email problems to copy me with their objections [email protected].”

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