A controversial plan to build a new £15.7 million Nottinghamshire County Council office, which opposition councillors have objected to on 30 different occasions, has been given the go-ahead at a meeting of the planning of the authority's planning and rights of way committee. Ninety minutes of discussion and debate saw the project through by ten votes to three.
The office, located at the planned village at the site of 805 homes, at Top Wighay Farm, close to Hucknall, is expected to be ready for occupation by the end of 2024 but opposition councillors have continually questioned the need for the new building in the wake of the Covid pandemic and a greater use of home working by council workers.
Several councillors asked for the planning decision to be deferred until a clearer picture and review of staff needs could be published. A motion to defer by Councillor Daniel Williamson (Kirkby South) was lost.
Matt Neal, council director of investment and growth, told the meeting that the new building would improve the council's ability to deliver services, would save on rents an leases because other satellite council buildings could be closed and also that it would "improve the environment for council staff".
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A report for the meeting said that the three-storey building would be prominently sited in relation to the A611. The building would have a broadly ‘L’-shaped footprint and "principally be faced with copper patina standing seam metal cladding, with a projecting wing of the building faced of grey panelling, with brown panelling and brise soleil to the two upper floors". Only one department would be open to the public - the adult access service, with only one client attending at a time.
In addition, 119 car parking spaces would be provided in total. 13 visitor car parking spaces, including six disability parking spaces for staff and visitors, would be provided immediately adjacent to the building entrance. There would be 13 electric vehicle charging spaces altogether. Solar panels would be installed on the roof space. and the building aims to be carbon-neutral.
The building is also planned to provide new workspace and accommodation for small and medium-sized businesses. This site is on land which has been approved for development in Gedling Borough Council’s local plan.
Ashfield independent councillor John Wilmott (Hucknall North), speaking also on behalf of councillors Dave Shaw(Hucknall West) and Lee Waters (Hucknall South), said that project had been a "long-running saga" and that the world had changed with the pandemic since the project had first been suggested. He said: "Council offices are already half-empty and it is confusing to taxpayers why we are borrowing to build more offices. We suggested the money would be better spent on roads but the Conservatives voted for it. The issue is still clouded in uncertainty.
"We have objected to this before on 29 separate occasions, count this as the 30th. It will cause chaos in Hucknall and the surrounding, villages."
An objection had also be submitted by Ashfield District Council on the grounds of its "detrimental impact on the infrastructure of Hucknall"
Conservative Councillor Sam Smith (Newark East) welcomed the design of the building and the sustainable aspects of it and the savings on not leasing other council buildings. And fellow Conservative councillor Andre Camilleri (Mansfield South) said he was impressed that the project moved the county council to the centre of the county geographically.
Following the vote in favour of allowing the application, committee chairman Councillor Richard Butler said it was a "very interesting building" and very futuristic".
The wider plans for Top Wighay will also see a new primary school built and the estimated creation of more than 1,000 new full-time jobs, which are expected to boost the economy by more than £873 million over a decade.
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