The Steering Group has now submitted formal representations on behalf of the Forum to the proposed development at Toton “West”.
In our view the applicant’s proposals for all three sites in Toton have a long way to go to comply with the Development Plan (Broxtowe’s Part 2 Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan) and achieve support from the community. The two public meetings held so far (organised by our local councillors) have demonstrated the strength of feeling and concern of local residents.
We have asked the planning department at Broxtowe to involve the Forum in constructive engagement with the applicant and the planners to address the deficiencies identified in our representations through a comprehensive, policy-led approach, including any reserved matters discussions.
We have made, and will continue to make, the following point throughout this process:-
“The Major Strategic Site comprising the Toton Strategic Location for Growth and Chetwynd Barracks provide a once in a generation/lifetime opportunity to create high quality ambitions as set out in the Toton and Chetwynd Barracks Strategic Masterplan SPD and the Chetwynd: The Toton & Chilwell Neighbourhood Plan to build not just much needed homes, but a community that we can all be proud of. A significant part of that ambition is getting the urban design right to create a real sense of identity for the new community that will be created, but without adversely impacting the existing and wider community. If the councils, planners and developers get this wrong, then the legacy will be disastrous for all concerned and they will be remembered for all the wrong reasons! Get it right, and the opposite will be true.”
Nottinghamshire County Council Land in the SLG
Unofficially we have heard that the land immediately north of the Toton “West” site currently owned by Nottinghamshire County Council is due to be sold soon. We await official confirmation and will let you know as soon as we do.
This land is an allocated site for development (a mix of business/employment and residential) within the Local Plan as it is part of the Toton Strategic Location for Growth in the vicinity of HS2. Even though HS2 is no longer coming to Toton, it remains an allocated site with the potential for a regional rail hub and where an extension of the NET tram would link, and onwards to Long Eaton. All this of course is still to be confirmed by stakeholders.
Which is why our representations emphasise the need for an overall holistic approach to development across the whole of the Toton SLG and Chetwynd Barracks Strategic Site, rather than piecemeal proposals coming forward.
Placemaking Talk
Whilst on the subject of Placemaking, there is a talk this coming Wednesday 4th March at the Beeston Civic Society entitled “Growing Place” by Chryse Tinsley – details below and on the Civic Society website.
Chryse has been working with the Forum recently to help us with our representations (above) on urban & landscape design and flooding & drainage, as part of our collaboration with the Civic Society.
The meeting starts at 7pm and will be of interest and relevance to most of us, so if you can, come along and hear what Chryse has to say on the subject.
As always please do feel free to ask any questions you may have on this week’s latest bulletin or anything else via the Contact Us page or by email to assist.cttcnf@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to answer them via the Questions and Answers page.