There has been a predictable reaction to the announcement of Gedling Borough Council’s Local Development Plan, which sets out the future of the area up to the year 2043. The most contentious aspect will always be in relation to housing. Sites for possible development have been published. Many will need to be allocated to meet the housing target, in accordance with the spatial strategy. One site on the list is Mapperley Golf Course. This is an opinion piece by the Editor of Mapperley People.
Not In My Back Yard
The problem is, no-one likes the idea of building development taking place in our immediate neighbourhood. This has always been the case, but in the era of social media, the antipathy towards new housing is amplified.
The acronym NIMBY first appeared in the 1970s. It stands for Not In My Back Yard and is used to refer to people who oppose large developments in their own communities, especially if they support them in other neighborhoods.
NIMBY conversations are widespread on the social media pages, from Burton Joyce, Gedling, Redhill, Calverton and Woodborough.
Another modern method of garnering support are the online campaign sites, where even local councillors (who are in a position to know the full facts) look to gain credibility for their stance.
The Local Development Plan is a requirement for all local authorities and is overseen by a committee that is cross-party, having representatives from each political party. That said, it didn’t stop one party from starting an online petition with the less than honest title:
Save Gedling’s Green Spaces from Labour’s Development
Why Are We Writing This?
Planning for the future of our area has to happen, regardless of the political make-up of our area. It’s only right that there is a plan that takes into account the wider needs of our communities.
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 sets out that each local planning authority must identify their strategic priorities and have policies to address these in their development plan. The planning system has a requirement set in law that planning decisions must be taken in line with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The Plan sets out a vision and a framework for the future development of the area, addressing needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the economy, community facilities and infrastructure. It is also a basis for conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and achieving well designed places. It is essential that plans are in place and kept up to date.
In Gedling Borough, the next Local Plan will run from 2028 to 2043 and the process has started already.
How Many New Homes Are Needed?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that:
Succinct and up-to-date plans should provide a positive vision for the future of each area; a framework for meeting housing needs and addressing other economic, social and environmental priorities; and a platform for local people to shape their surroundings.
The strategic policy making authorities should:
Establish a housing requirement for their whole area, which shows the extent to which their identified housing need (and any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring areas) can be met over the Plan period. This is the housing target, i.e. the amount of housing that the Council proposes to deliver by March 2043.
The housing target for the Gedling Local Development Plan has identified that 631 dwellings need to be built per year from 2028. This equates to a figure of 11,358 over the plan period.
How Is Mapperley Affected?
The sites identified for possible development are spread throughout the area. The one that concerns Mapperley is shown as Possible Development Site – Plan A2 Carlton. This shows a map of the area with ‘Possible Development Sites shown in Red. These areas are generally:
- The Lambley side of Mapperley Plains between Spring Lane and Catfoot Lane. This is the only area on Plan A2 that is classed as ‘green belt’.
- Mapperley Golf Course.
- The Gedling side of Colliery Way between the Lambley turning and Carlton Le Willows School.
- Cavendish Road / Coningswath Road in Carlton
- The site of Gedling School off Arnold Lane
As Editor of Mapperley People and a local resident, while I have no vested interest in any of the sites, I believe that Mapperley Golf Course should not be developed for housing.
Why Is Mapperley Golf Course A Special Case?
This is more than a nostalgic view. Mapperley Golf Club might have a 120 year history on this site, and it may offer one of the last remaining uninterrupted views over the Trent Valley, but it is more than that. It is about the future accessibility of our green infrastructure, sport and leisure facilities.
Not only does Mapperley Golf Course retain a wonderful parkland landscape that is easily accessible to this urban area, it also adds to what has become a sports and leisure hub on Mapperley Plains, at what was the Gedling Miners Welfare facilities. Golf adds to the other sports of cricket (Gedling Colliery Cricket Club) and football (Gedling Miners Welfare FC), the Mapperley Plains Social Club and of course the Nuffield Health gym and fitness facility.
The Local Development Plan should consider:
The conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic
environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure, and planning
measures to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Mapperley Golf Course addresses these considerations, bearing in mind the drainage of the land too. What better way than to tackle a warmer and wetter climate than to have land that soaks away and drains naturally?
The Local Plan for Gedling states:
It is proposed to continue the existing approach, as it relates to culture,
tourism and sport of local importance and require all new provision to be
accessible by non-car modes of transport to promote sustainable
development.
The Local Plan continues:
Some culture, tourism and sporting facilities are not appropriate in town centre
locations due to their nature, such as noisy sports or proposals that require
extensive areas of land. These should be located in areas that are or can be
made accessible by a variety of transport modes, particularly active modes
such as cycling and walking.
Editor’s Opinion
Mapperley Golf Course is of value to our area’s culture, tourism and sport. Golf is often played in out of town locations and tends to be accessed by car, due to location and transporting bulky equipment. What better than to be more sustainable by having a facility on our doorstep, with good public transport. Whilst Mapperley Golf Club is a private venture, maybe the local authority could support the non-car mode of access by installing good storage options at the club for equipment. More local people playing golf, just minutes from their local high street.
We have communicated this article to Gedling Borough Council as part of their consultation.
Should you wish to comment individually about this or any other aspect of it, then here’s the link:
https://gedling.inconsult.uk/GLDPIO
Roger Jubb
Totally agree that they should not build on the golf club site. Not only for the amenities it brings to us humans but also wildlife. Gedling is currently being developed with extensive building on the old pit site and extensions to the school have/are being done . But to continue building needs to factor in wellbeing for all those residing in the area and also more investment in infrastructure.