Neighbours at the large Rivendell housing estate off the A612 Colwick Loop Road have shared their disappointment after plans for a much-anticipated pub were scrapped, with new proposals recently drawn up for a fast food drive-thru instead. With the housing estate located on land between Netherfield and Stoke Bardolph, near the Victoria Retail Park, local residents on the estate have clamoured for a pub, saying there were none within walking distance of their homes.
Building work has been taking place for several years at the estate, and, despite planning permission passed for a pub on part of the site, new planning documents revealed no end user came forward to agree to operate such a facility. These details were disclosed in a new planning application for a Popeyes Louisiana Chicken drive-thru restaurant near the junction of Magenta Way and Colwick Loop Road, at the entrance to the development.
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The proposed drive-thru would be located at Teal Park, a new trade park next to the progressing 807-home Rivendell housing development. The site was originally allocated for a new pub and has been fenced off for years.
However, neighbours say it’s a ‘shame’ that the plans for a pub were scrapped, representing a ‘huge loss’ for the community. “I would rather a pub,” said 24-year-old Ethan Nichol.
“It’s quite a little community to have a fast food chain. There’s a McDonald’s down the road.”
A resident who moved to the development six months ago, as a part of Phase 2a of the housing estate, said: “We don’t want it. I live on the estate, the last thing we want to do is people who are going to showcase their cars.”
Serena Smith who works in retail and is in her 40s, said: “I would love a pub. I obviously welcome new businesses, but it is a shame we have lost out on a pub, it would have been lovely. It is a nice community.”
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s a huge [loss]. It would be lovely to have a pub and somewhere to go to for the community. I would be really nice for the residents of the care home [that's been built at the housing estate]. It’s a shame really.”
Another resident, who didn't want to be named, added: “I don’t think it’s [the drive-thru] suitable having it here, we would much rather have a pub. A food chain like that would maybe fit in at the [Victoria] retail park. I can see it being popular but maybe not amongst residents. I just don’t think it suits being here.”
Popeyes, known for its popular Chicken Sandwich, already has a branch in Upper Parliament Street, in Nottingham city centre, which opened in October last year. If granted planning permission by Gedling Borough Council, the new restaurant would create 100 jobs at Teal Park, which has been jointly developed by Warwickshire based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).
As well as the hundreds of homes already built, a primary school and care home are already at the Rivendell housing estate. While a brand new pizza restaurant, Pizza Triangle, has joined Aldi, Birds Bakery and Lighthouse charity shop to open at the neighbouring Teal Park.
The development has been named Rivendell as a nod to the area's link with the Lord of the Rings. The author of the legendary novels, JRR Tolkien, visited his aunt's farm in the Jessops Lane area of Gedling, around two miles from the development site.
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