New car park plans for popular venue set for approval
Plus: Cat-calling will be made an offence in Ashfield
Good morning everyone and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. In today’s edition, there is an update on plans for Sutton Lawn and a new free car park, cat-calling being made an offence across the district and more.
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New car park and pavilion for Sutton Lawn
Plans to extend and improve Sutton Lawn’s pavilion building and extend the site’s car park is set to be given the green light.
The current access road will also be repaired and resurfaced as part of the project, which aims to meet demand for higher quality facilities.
As part of a consultation, it was determined there was a high demand for the car park which had led to capacity issues.
The new pavilion would be managed by Sutton Academy and will be used for PE activities during school hours.
In the evenings and weekends it would be used by community football groups.
Improvements to the pavilion would include new and enhanced changing rooms, welfare facilities, an office and stores.
The improved car park would remain free, planning documents show.
A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: “The development seeks to meet demand for higher quality facilities, which are considered not to result in detrimental harm to the character of the area or wider street scene.
“The development is also considered to enhance the significance of Sutton Lawn as a non-designated heritage asset.”
Ashfield District Council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, September 25.
Cat-calling will be an offence in Ashfield
A ban on cat-calling and car cruising across Ashfield will be brought into force – with a £1,000 fine for those caught flouting the rules.
The new public space protection order (PSPO) will also bring in new rules for dog owners, which includes owners requiring to have bags to pick up their pet’s mess.
The previous PSPO came into force in 2021 and, according to the council, led to a 35% drop in anti-social behaviour.
The new PSPO will be enforced across the whole district and includes restrictions on:
• Alcohol consumption in a designated area
• Urinating/defecating within a designated area
• Dog fouling in specified areas
• Failing to produce device or other means of removing dog faeces on demand
• Failing to put dogs on lead by direction
• Walking more than the specified number of dogs at one time
• Dogs in specified areas such as enclosed children’s play areas and sports areas
• Dogs not being on leads in specified areas such as town centres
• Failing to comply with a Direction to Move on
• Access to land between Bentinck Street and Welbeck Street
• Vehicle nuisance
• Street harassment
Vehicle nuisance includes street racing, car cruising and playing loud music, as well as performing stunts.
New signs are due to be put up across the district outlining the restrictions on October 1.
Man jailed after death of friend in crash
A Nottinghamshire man has been jailed for 12 years for causing a catastrophic three-car pile-up that resulted in the death of his close friend and left several others seriously injured.
William Martin, 23, of Woodhouse Court, Mansfield Woodhouse, was behind the wheel of a yellow Seat with two friends when he dangerously overtook slower traffic on the A614 Blyth Road in Ollerton.
He crossed into oncoming traffic and collided almost head-on with a Toyota, which was in a filter lane preparing to turn right into Whitewater Lane.
The crash occurred around 5.30pm on September 8 last year. The impact was severe, causing the Seat to overturn and land in a ditch.
Martin's front seat passenger, Adam Sissons, 22, died at the scene. Another friend in the back seat sustained serious injuries, including a fractured sternum and bruised lung.
The driver of the Toyota, a 33-year-old woman, suffered multiple fractures that required surgery, while her 19-year-old passenger had to be freed from the wreckage by emergency services, also sustaining serious injuries.
An eight-week-old baby secured in a car seat in the back of the Toyota escaped with only minor injuries.
Martin, who was hospitalised for a leg fracture, was arrested at the scene.
During police interviews, he claimed his reckless driving was prompted by fear of a Porsche tailing him.
However, investigators found the Porsche was not close at the time of the crash, contradicting Martin’s account.
He later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury.
At Nottingham Crown Court, he was also banned from driving for 13 years and must pass an extended driving re-test before regaining his license.
Louise Melbourne, from Nottinghamshire Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “This tragic case is a reminder of the life-shattering consequences of dangerous driving. Martin's actions have left a family grieving the loss of a loved one and have caused irreversible harm to others.”
Scheme will boost graduate employment
A new scheme has been launched to boost graduate employment in Ashfield.
The Ashfield GradBoost project will work alongside universities in the East Midlands to encourage graduates to start their careers in the district by connecting businesses and students.
It will also support unemployed graduates into graduate-level roles in the area.
The scheme has been launched by Ashfield District Council and is funded by the authority’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Matthew Relf, executive lead member for growth, regeneration, and local planning at the council, said: “Graduates from Ashfield have a wealth of skills and capabilities that would make them an asset to businesses seeking to grow, innovate and diversify their organisation.
“This project will help to keep that valuable talent in the local area boosting the economy, skill levels and leading to greater opportunities for both the businesses and the graduates.”
In addition to providing more opportunities for graduates, the project will offer consultancy support to small and medium businesses to attract, recruit and develop graduates.
The scheme will end in March 2025 and businesses in Ashfield are encouraged to get in touch with GradConsult Ltd to benefit from the project.