Agenda item

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              any recommendations made by the Local Development Framework Group be considered;

b)              the proposed revisions to the draft East of Gamston/North of Tollerton Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document be supported;

c)              the adoption of the East of Gamston/North of Tollerton Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document be approved; and

d)              the Director – Development and Economic Growth be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary final graphical, presentational and minor textual changes required to the SPD prior to publication.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton, presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth, which detailed the East of Gamston/North of Tollerton Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document.

Before Councillor Upton introduced the item, the Leader reminded everyone that this report was not about granting planning permission, it was considering a Masterplan.

In introducing the report, Councillor Upton reiterated the Leader’s comments and advised that the Masterplan would provide guidance to developers going forward, and if approved this evening, it would not provide any planning approval. He reminded Cabinet that this site had been adopted as a strategic site in 2014, and it was hoped that this SPD would give the Council more control over any future development. Councillor Upton referred to the Cabinet meeting on 13 January 2026, when it had been agreed to pause approval, whilst more detailed information was sought, especially on highway related matters, and he confirmed that significant progress had been made, as detailed in the report. The SPD would try to ensure that any development of separate site parcels would be undertaken in a coordinated and complementary manner, providing guidance on a range of topics, to ensure a high quality design, in line with the Council’s vision. Councillor Upton advised that for the site to come forward, strategic infrastructure would need to be delivered, as set out in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, which would need to be completed before any planning applications were determined and would be secured through Section 106 Agreements. Councillor Upton advised that it was common practice for SPDs to provide guidance and a framework, with more detailed requirements agreed as any site progressed, so it was reasonable for this SPD to be adopted with current highways information, as there were no statutory or national policy requirements for highway matters to be addressed in any more detail.

Council Upton advised that since the Cabinet meeting in January, some revisions had been made to the report, including additional text to emphasis that the primary route for pedestrians and cyclists between the site and Gamston would need to be provided, and that could be a bridge, or controlled crossings on the A52. There was additional information detailing the process for assessing risk from potential land contamination and confirmation that the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan would form part of the Development Plan for this site. Councillor Upton confirmed that the SPD was included in the draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan, which was due to be inspected this summer and that there was cross-party support at the recent Local Development Framework Group meeting. He stated that the recent collaborative and aligned approach between all main landowners, developers, National Highways and the County Council marked a significant and positive change, with a single highways access strategy for the entire site now being put forward. The site could make a vital contribution to the Borough’s housing land supply, and without the SPD, there was a risk that developers would take current applications to appeal. Further delays could risk putting pressure on releasing new housing sites to maintain the five year housing supply. Councillor Upton acknowledged concerns raised regarding possible land contamination on parts of the site; however, that issue was not for the SPD, it would be dealt with during the planning application process, and through site investigation and remediation conditions attached to any planning approval. However, this SPD did contain more requirements related to any contamination issues. Councillor Upton concluded by advising that without an SPD in place, there was a significant risk that the Council could lose control over the type and quality of development, and if applications were taken to appeal, the Council would no longer be taking the decision.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis recognised the passion and determination from the lobbying group and reiterated previous comments that approval of the SPD would not mean any planning application approval. He agreed that some decisions were difficult to make, and referred to comments, some misinformation and unfounded allegations against the Council being published on social media. Councillor Inglis referred to his long, personal association with the former airfield, and he felt the passion to resist change, but changes had already happened. He confirmed that the SPD had been drawn up to provide some control over planning applications, and Councillor Upton had referred to the consequences of not having one. The Council was now working to tight deadlines, and whilst he appreciated that the detailed highways infrastructure was not yet included, it was a positive that over the past two months all parties had agreed and were committed to one model. Councillor Inglis stated that any issues surrounding an application would need to be resolved before any planning decision was decided and he felt that it was better for the Council to approve the SPD now, to have some control over the development, rather than it be decided by the Government

Councillor J Wheeler reiterated that the Council needed to reach its housing targets and it was encouraging that there was now a uniformed highways approach being put forward. The aim of the SPD was to protect current and future residents as planning applications came forward. He hoped that developers would take on board concerns raised regarding possible land contamination and ensure that the land was safe.  

As a Ward Councillor for Gamston, Councillor Virdi acknowledged the strength of feeling and recognised concerns raised by local residents. He stated that it was vital that the Council had a clear framework going forward, and without that uncoordinated development could take place. Adopting the SPD was a rational, structured approach to ensure that the Council retained a strong guiding role.

The Leader acknowledged the tremendous amount of work undertaken to produce this SPD, thanked Planning officers and reminded everyone that approving the SPD did not grant any planning permission, that would be considered during the planning application stage.        

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              any recommendations made by the Local Development Framework Group be considered;

b)              the proposed revisions to the draft East of Gamston/North of Tollerton Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document be supported;

c)              the adoption of the East of Gamston/North of Tollerton Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document be approved; and

d)              the Director – Development and Economic Growth be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary final graphical, presentational and minor textual changes required to the SPD prior to publication.