A proposal to demolish a community centre, plagued by crime, is among the latest batch of planning applications received for Sutton, Kirkby, Hucknall and the rest of Ashfield.

Beechwood Court Community Centre, on Beechwood Close in Skegby, sits alongside a development of 30 retirement flats that were built in 1976.

But Ashfield District Council, which owns the centre, says that, over the last 18 months, the communal room within the building has been subjected to “criminal activity”.

There had been “consistent and repeated acts of anti-social behavour” and also break-ins at the site which followed “significant criminal damage” to the centre during 2024.

Beechwood Court Community Centre in Skegby, which sits next to a development of retirement flats.

placeholder image — Beechwood Court Community Centre in Skegby, which sits next to a development of retirement flats.

As a result, the council has now submitted an application to its own planning officers to demolish the building, with work scheduled to start “in early to-mid-2027”.

The application explains that nearby plants and shrubs would be “maintained so far as is reasonably possible”.

But once the centre had been knocked down, it would be replaced by soft landscaping, including a grassed area and three new trees, and alterations, including a new walkway, new fencing and new kerbs. An existing bin store would be improved.

A decision on the demolition proposal is expected to be made by a deadline date of Tuesday, December 8.

Other planning applications received by Ashfield Council include these:

4 High Street, Hucknall – alterations to shop front within conservation area.

Boyes, Low Moor Road, Kirkby – application for approval of details reserved by condition (full details of mural) attached to planning permission already granted for mural on facade of building.

65 Polperro Way, Hucknall – lawful development certificate for proposed single-storey rear extension.

Unit 1, Fulwood 28, Alloga UK, Common Road, Huthwaite – installation of rooftop solar PV (photovoltaic) system, comprising 426 470-watt solar panels.

7 Grange Close, Pleasley Road, Sutton – work to trees within conservation area.

123 Lower Bagthorpe, Bagthorpe – double garage and access steps within conservation area.

Land at junction of Willow Drive, Mansfield Road, Annesley – application for approval of details reserved by condition (ecological management plan) attached to outline planning permission already granted for logistics campus, new access and associated earthworks.

4 Plumb Road, Hucknall – certificate of lawfulness for conversion of existing attached garage to habitable accommodation, plus associated alterations.

119 Alfreton Road, Sutton – vehicle access.

2 Milldale Walk, Sutton – application for approval of details reserved by conditions (drainage plans and biodiversity enhancement) attached to planning permission already granted for construction of two dwellings.

Longside Cottage Farm, Blackwell Road, Huthwaite – conversion and extension of existing garage to form ancillary residential annexe accommodation.

Kirkby Cross Garage, Sutton Road, Kirkby – erection of canopy.

15 Blackwell Road, Huthwaite – vehicular access.

Corner House, Unit B, Robey Close, Hucknall – single-storey extension.

Fulwood 190 warehouse, Export Drive, Huthwaite – internal alterations to provide office accommodation for staff within existing industrial premises, including installation of new windows and an external door, plus widening of existing lorry delivery hatch.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/