A former public house location that has become a magnet for fly-tipping in recent years looks set to be transformed into housing.
Proposals to construct 23 dwellings on the former pub grounds in The Meadows have attracted mixed reactions.
Developer MyPad is seeking permission for the properties at the western end of Bathley Street, situated within the Old Meadows Conservation Area.
The premises formerly housed the Toll Bridge Inn, which came down approximately in 2011.
Nottingham City Council offloaded the land adjacent to Wilford Toll Bridge – the structure that lent the establishment its name – to MyPad during 2022.
The application for building 23 residences comprising a combination of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties, together with a flats complex, is expected to receive backing at a planning committee gathering on Wednesday.
The proposal requires councillor scrutiny because the developer maintains it cannot provide any contributions toward local infrastructure enhancements or affordable housing provisions, and numerous residents have also lodged complaints against the scheme.
Some submission letters claim the location would become excessively built-up and overcrowded, while the apartment block could overwhelm what constitutes a protected area.
Road traffic issues have also been expressed.
In its assessment of the original proposal, the Nottingham Civic Society stated that significant concerns existed regarding the arrangement, density and size of the residential scheme within The Meadows Conservation Area near Victoria Embankment.
The civic group believes the scheme does not adequately reflect the character of the conservation area in terms of either its dimensions or architectural approach.
Following these objections, certain modifications to the scheme’s layout have been implemented, documentation indicates.
Phil Shaw, aged 63, an electrical engineer residing on Bathley Street, remarked that he had no objections to the scheme.
He believes the dwellings will enhance the neighbourhood. Residents understood the location would inevitably be developed at some stage, so he welcomes the advancement.
They remain fortunate to retain views of the River Trent from their property, so they fully appreciate this does not impact them as significantly as other householders.
Since the tavern shut its doors, the locality has been utilised as something of a refuse dump, and that is his greater worry.
Matthew Fox, 51, an NHS employee also residing on the street, observed that personally, he does not consider it a suitable location for such a development, and he struggles to see how 23 houses could fit comfortably there.
He has been informed there will be one parking space per household, which could prove problematic should visitors arrive or residents own multiple vehicles – and people already utilise this area as a through-route.
Some neighbours were unaware it was a vacant building site when they purchased their properties, so he believes they feel let down by the proposals.
He considers it unfortunate that it has not been developed into something benefiting the community, such as a cafe or another green area with picnic tables.
Another local inhabitant expressed that they would prefer it not remain in its current state, suggesting perhaps another public house would be preferable.
The scheme includes 11 three-bedroom houses alongside an apartment block containing 12 two-bedroom flats.
Councillors will examine the proposals next week.