Notts County Council unveils plans for ‘significant economic growth’
Nottinghamshire County Council says it is bringing forward a number of major infrastructure projects aimed at kick-starting “significant economic growth” across the county.
The Council says the proposals – affecting Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Arnold and West Bridgford – are at different stages of development, but all have the potential to create new jobs, attract inward investment and opportunities for businesses to grow.
They include improvements to the county’s digital infrastructure, hundreds of new homes, the redevelopment of a former Council office site and bringing an iconic Nottinghamshire building back into commercial use.
Plans agreed by the Council’s Policy Committee include:
– Sir John Robinson House, Arnold: Plans to bring the iconic former Home Brewery HQ back into commercial use took a further step forward. Nottinghamshire-based Focus Consultants are working with the Council to explore future business uses for the building, including surveying businesses likely to find the accommodation at the building suitable to their needs
– Development of County Hall campus, West Bridgford: Approval was granted to commission a feasibility study into future uses of land adjacent to County Hall ahead of its redevelopment. The site of the old ‘Clasp Block’, a disused County Council office building, was demolished and cleared in preparation for redevelopment last year. Options under review include a new multi-purpose development – primarily for County Council use, with the option of hiring space to external organisations to generate income to fund services.
– Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire next phase: Agreement to enter into a contract with BT for a further extension of the programme which is providing superfast broadband infrastructure for homes and businesses in the county. Contract three will prioritise the most rural parts of the county in Bassetlaw and Newark and Sherwood districts, taking Nottinghamshire beyond the 98% coverage it is on track to achieve by September 2018 and keep the county amongst the best connected areas in the UK.
– Lindhurst development, Mansfield: The first phase of the Lindhurst development – a significant extension to the southern boundary of Mansfield – is well under way, with roads connecting the site to the Marr route now in place. The site preparation for the construction of the first of the 1,700 new homes earmarked for the site has already commenced. Future phases will bring forward 23 hectares of land for business development, a community park, bus links, school, sports and other community facilities.
Councillor Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Chairman of the Policy Committee, said: “We are moving Nottinghamshire forward.
“The reports we’ve considered today come with significant benefits and opportunities for residents, businesses and the economy in all parts of the county – north, south east and west. I am excited to see these developments progress over the coming months and years.
“Added to last week’s announcement that we’ve been shortlisted for up to £100m in funding for our bid for a network of new garden villages linked to HS2, we feel very optimistic about how our growth and investment strategy is developing.
“By creating the conditions that will our economy prosper – such as modern infrastructure, good housing, excellent access to superfast broadband and high quality business locations – we can make Nottinghamshire a great place to live, work, visit and trade.”
