Clifton neighbours say plans to develop a former college site in the village will bring "more opportunities" to the area. Nottingham Community Housing Association are the new owners of the old college site on Farnborough Road, where they plan to build 50 apartments for older people, 14 apartments for supported living, six bungalows for supported living, a new headquarters for the NCHA and retained sporting facilities.
It is believed that the mixed-use development will be ready to open next year. The site is being designed by the group's in-house architects Pelham, and they plan to keep the existing sports facilities, which includes a gym, changing rooms and football pitches, with a new office, cafe and residential buildings on the site.
There will also be enough car parking spaces for 185 cars, which includes electric charge points and up to 30 cycle stores. The NCHA claim that the development will create job opportunities, support local sports clubs and provide an energy efficient development where people can live and work.
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Student Ziaan Malik, 19, thinks the development will be good for the area. He said: "Yeah I think that would be good and it would make more opportunities for shops as well as it's in that sort of area.
"There's not that many options for older people around here. If more people move in then it will bring more diversity to the area and opportunities.
"I think it will all be great." When asked about the construction work, Ziaan explained that "at times" it can be noisy "but you just get used to it."
A 31 year old mum who didn't wish to be named said: "I don't even know much about it. It is what it is, but I suppose it will be good and bring new people here but at the same time there will be more traffic about.
"It used to be a quiet area with a nice neighbourhood but if there's elderly people there then they might just be complaining about the noise." When asked if she thought the new homes might help bring people to the area, she replied: "I mean it might but I don't see how it would really as the top shops are already full, maybe it will bring an Aldi closer but then again that's just more people."
The mum also expressed concern that the site could become "a hot spot for burglaries." She explained that there "is quite a bit of crime around here" and so it could be targeted.
A retired woman in her seventies who did not wish to be named said: "I think it will make more traffic in the area, but at the same time as an OAP, I might need one of them myself some day. I suppose it's good to have."
Other residents in the area have also shared their thoughts, with many hoping that the development will create new jobs for the community and others pleased to see purpose built accommodation built for the older generation in the area.
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