Gedling Borough Council has scrapped plans to sell off a popular dog walking spot after a consultation with local residents. Land off Killisick Lane, near the Hobbucks Nature Reserve, in Arnold had been allocated for housing in 2018.
It was part of a cross-party agreed local plan, with the council under pressure to meet national housing targets imposed by central government. The Conservative Party set out an ambition when elected in 2019 to deliver 300,000 new homes a year across the country.
But following a consultation, Gedling Borough Council says that the land off Killisick Lane now will not be sold. It follows the launch of a consultation which began in August.
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Councillor Michael Payne, the deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: "We were very clear at the start of the consultation process that the views of nearby residents were essential - we have listened to those views. We have decided the sale of this land will not go ahead.
"We said we would listen to residents' views, and we have. We remain firmly committed to working with the community on how we can improve the nearby Hobbucks Nature Reserve for all to enjoy."
It comes just weeks after local residents spoke out about the potential sale of the land, saying they were concerned about the prospect of a strain on school places and impact on local GP surgeries if homes were built. The council now says that consideration of the sale of the land will not be taken as the feedback provided in the consultation is reviewed.
The authority says that comments were received from both residents and councillors representing the affected area. Councillor Payne added: "Nationally imposed government housing targets have real consequences for local communities. Pressure to allocate housing developments on our precious open land and green space is one such consequence."
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