Beeston neighbours have spoken out plans to build a three-storey block of flats on a vacant car park in the town.
An application for 10 one-bedroom homes on Middleton Street has been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council.
But some neighbours told Nottinghamshire Live they believe the apartments could add to issues on their road where parking has been described as a “nightmare.” Garages occupied the ground floor of the site up until 2018.
Some local resident in Middleton Street said that their road isn’t big enough for 10 new apartments. Neighbours have voiced their concerns, with one person explaining how a three storey building will block out natural light coming into their property.
Applicant Paul Landa of DSL Holdings Ltd wants to turn the site, which once housed lock-up garages before being turned into a car park, into new homes.
The application is still pending consideration.
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People on Middleton Street said they understand that something needs to be done with the empty space but some said they believe a three storey building will cause even more parking problems.
Brian Taber does not want to see the 3 storey building have planning approved. Semi-retired, Brian, 73 called the proposed plans “disgusting.” Having lived on Middleton Street for 30 years, he said: “It’s disgusting, this is a residential street, a three storey building would dominate the surroundings. People living in these flats get a parking space each but where would their visitors park?” Brain continued: “I’m fed up with people using my parking bay to turn around and traffic here is a nightmare.”
Council officers said the site has previously been granted outline permission for four homes, and the principle of residential development on the site “is considered acceptable”.
Laura Millward, 39 is a resident on the street. Laura who works in marketing feels like there is no space for the proposed plans. Laura said: “I think parking is a nightmare here, there will be too many flats for that space.”
Laura, who has a young child, continued and said: “It’s really hard to walk down the street with a pushchair, the streets are just not big enough.”
Middleton Street is Joanna Turton. Joanna, 63, wouldn’t mind houses being built on that space but feels a storey apartment building would block out natural light.
Joanna said: “It’s got to be built on, it’s no good how it is now. I just don’t like the three storey aspect of the proposal. I just think it’s too big and would overwhelm the area.”
Joanna, who is now retired, agrees parking is an issue. She continued: “I think that space just needs ordinary houses, I don’t think that modern architecture fits in with this street.”
With Joanna’s property directly across from where the proposed flats would be built she fears that people coming in and out of the building will mean constant headlights shining into her property.
None of the homes on offer will be affordable housing – as the local plan stipulates it is not necessary to provide it on sites where there are more than 10 dwellings.
The homes would have open plan kitchen and living areas, bathrooms and off road parking and cycle storage.
Ten parking spaces will be provided, with two spaces providing charging points.
Charlie Joseph, 30, works for Amazon and lives on Middleton Street, said he doesn’t have a problem with the possible flats being built. He feels that parking is more of an issue than the homes being built.
He said: “Lots of people park here, I’ve complained to the council before because of the pubs and bars in Beeston, people come here and park because there’s parking spaces, that’s the problem.”
Documents with the application stated: “The site is currently vacant having previously been used as car garages / lock ups and more recently a car park.
“The application site lies to the south west of the city centre and is strategic in terms of the opportunity it represents to add to and enhance the core activities of the wider city and its universities.
“The area itself is popular with students and young professionals and the proposed development should target those individuals in order to bring further value to the local area.
“The proposed development contains 10no. one bedroom apartments. This is considered to be appropriate for the area, which has become increasingly popular with students and young professionals given its proximity to the University of Nottingham and the city centre.”
The council will decide on the application at a future planning committee meeting.
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