Sister of a leading Ashfield councillor is behind controversial housing scheme near Hardwick Hall

Plans for 84 new homes on land off Wild Hill, near Teversal, have been submitted by Dr Katy Hollis.

The development has raised questions about the impact on the surrounding countryside, traffic and local infrastructure.

Reform councillor Cathy Mason wants the Secretary of State to call in the application and is urging residents to object before the October 28 deadline.

Coun Mason said: “Everyone who visits Hardwick Hall has a stake in protecting the historic landscape and views that make it special.

“Our children and grandchildren deserve to experience that heritage too.

“You do not have to live in Wild Hill, Teversal or Ashfield to speak up. Our national heritage belongs to all of us.

“Local residents also report that the bus stop has no service. Children walking towards school would face a busy road with sections without pavements. These are serious questions about accessibility and pedestrian safety.

“Couple this with the potential threat to the setting of Grade 1 listed Hardwick Hall, it is clear that this planning application is unsuitable.”

A neighbouring resident has shared her concerns about the proposed development off Wild Hill, including its potential impact on the countryside and road safety.

She said: “Even on the planning notice, it states that this deviates from the local plan, it's not an area selected for any sort of development.

“It has views that will impact on Hardwick, the setting is obviously to be protected.

“The habitat is for wildlife and this spot is completely isolated. There’s no bus links, there's no schools, there's no doctors. It's completely unsustainable.

“It has to be protected and we all have to stand and really have a voice.

“The proposed development is less than 100 metres from a very dangerous junction, it has a lot of high volume traffic, a lot of heavy goods traffic going to the M1.

“It will be an absolute death trap to be quite honest, because people will be pulling out, pulling in, as well as the dangerous junction and it is totally unacceptable.

“The pedestrian access is very, very dangerous.

“We look forward to to seeing what highways have to comment on the proposal because as far as we're all concerned, it is extremely dangerous.

“What everybody wants to see is consistency, fairness and transparency.”

Ashfield District Council has confirmed Coun Hollis declared his relationship to the owner and his interest in relation to the application with Planning and planning advised the Monitoring Officer.

The council also confirmed declarations have been made and the planning application process is as set out in legislation and constitution. It has not yet been through the Gateway process.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Coun Hollis.

Coun Hollis has been contacted by Your Chad for a comment.