Plans for major Nuthall business park ‘hanging in the air’
A decision on a major business park near Nuthall remains unresolved after ‘frustrating delays’.
Peveril Securities and Omnivale Pension Scheme (as part of Strawson Group) first submitted plans for Nuthall Park 26 to Broxtowe Council in February.
The major business park, proposed for part of Nuthall’s green belt near Low Wood Road and junction 26 of the M1, would feature seven new warehouses and office space.
The developers estimate that more than 1,525 new jobs could be created, including 305 off-site full-time equivalent jobs and 320 construction jobs.
Documents say the business park could also bring a £70m annual boost to the local economy once operational, and note an earmarked potential route for a NET tram expansion as part of plans to extend the Phoenix Park line to Kimberley and Giltbrook Retail Park.
But despite the plans being validated by the council in February and the consultation period already completed, a decision has still not been made, with councillors saying the ‘frustrating delay has been caused by waiting for observations from the Highways Agency, notably on potential impacts at junction 26 and Nuthall Island and also on Low Wood Road.
Coun Milan Radulovic (Brox All), Broxtowe Council leader, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating, the only thing that stops it going to committee is the lack of comment from the Highways Agency.
"Information takes far too long to get to people, it leaves everything hanging in the air, it’s ridiculous.”
Kimberley MP Alex Norris (Lab) previously opposed the plans as ‘not the right thing for Nuthall’.
He said: “The proposed site is high-quality green belt land, which isn’t in the local plan, and the developer’s proposed support for biodiversity is below the requirement set by the local council.
But Coun Radulovic responded: “Every application is considered on its merit.
“In my own personal opinion, there’s been made a number of objections to the size and scale and impact on local residents.
"The site can be determined independently.
“The area needs jobs and investment and the only way to get that is to support applications that give us hope for the future.”
Both the council and National Highways say discussions are still ongoing.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “Our priority is ensuring our roads are safe and any new proposals do not negatively impact road users or communities.”