New school bid gets go-ahead as demolition confirmed
Plus: McDonald's submits fresh bid for restaurant
Good morning, readers, and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. In today’s newsletter, an update on plans for a new McDonald’s, a new school to be built in Ashfield and much more.
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New school to be created in town
Developers have been given the green light to demolish a Nottinghamshire primary school and create a new two-storey facility.
A new multi-use games area and car and cycle parking facilities will also be developed as part of the project for Broomhill Junior School, in Hucknall.
The school, which has capacity for 300 pupils, was identified to be part of the Department for Education’s rebuilding programme due to its “severe and urgent condition and the impact this may have on pupils and staff”.
As part of the plans, approved by Ashfield District Council, the new school will be constructed at the back of the current building.
This will allow pupils to continue learning on the site.
Once construction is completed, the current school building will be demolished, the plans show.
The plans also show farm paddocks on the site, where animals including cows, pigs and poultry are kept at intervals, and a “forest school” area will be kept in place.
The school is owned by Nottingham City Council and is for children aged seven to 11.
Fresh bid to create new McDonald’s restaurant
McDonald’s has submitted fresh plans to build a takeaway restaurant in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
The fast food giant had withdrawn a proposal in 2024 following feedback from consultees, with concerns raised in the town particularly about traffic.
The updated bid for the takeaway, on land off Lane End, submitted to Ashfield District Council shows the building has been moved to a different section of the site, with vehicles able to access the site directly from Lane End.
The drive-thru would also be based further away from homes off Erewash Street.
The layout of the development would also mean overflow cars can be accommodated in the car park, rather than outside the site, the company said.
In addition to vehicle access and position of the restaurant, the building itself would also be taller, to provide a “two-storey appearance appropriate to its setting.”
Despite changes to the scheme, it has still received a mixed reaction from residents.
One objection submitted to Ashfield District Council states: “This location will make Lane End even busier than it already is. Lane End Road/Urban Road can have queues of traffic which stretch back up to Victoria Road.”
However, a supporter of the plan added: “Bringing a McDonald’s to the town of Kirkby would increase more people to visit, more bigger shops to open around the area and more smaller businesses will want to rent out shops in Kirkby.”
A decision is expected to be made on the proposal by March 3.
Remembering Stirling bomber crash
A commemoration service has been held to mark the 80th anniversary of an RAF crash in Annesley Forest.
Five crew members died when the Stirling Bomber they were travelling in crashed in January 1945.
A service took place at the Stirling Memorial on Tuesday, January 14, followed by a presentation at All Saints Church Hall.
The RAF flag was also raised over Ashfield District Council’s Urban Road offices to mark the occasion.
Misconduct hearing into former PC
A former police officer has been found guilty of misconduct after behaving inappropriately with female members of staff.
A misconduct hearing for former PC Keith Brothwell was held at Nottinghamshire Police’s Sherwood Lodge HQ.
The former officer provided a detailed account in relation to the allegations made, saying he was 'mortified he has upset anyone or made them feel uncomfortable'.
The hearing found former PC Brothwell had breached the following standards of professional behaviour – authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct and orders and instructions.
After the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Steven Cooper said: “There must be boundaries in the workplace and former PC Brothwell overstepped them, making his female colleagues feel uncomfortable.
“I would like to praise those who came forward to give evidence."
The panel acknowledged former PC Brothwell's ‘long and dedicated’ police service.
It also concluded that 'the evidence clearly reflects former PC Brothwell as having been an officer who has been supportive and approachable to colleagues'.