Tiny patch of land plagued by vandals for years could be set for transformation
Plus: Police close apartments linked to violent crime and drug dealing
Good morning and welcome to your latest Ashfield News. Following a great response, we will now be publishing two editions of this newsletter per week, every Monday and Thursday.
This week’s highlights include:
Police close down a number of flats linked to drug dealing and violent crime
A patch of land in a Nottinghamshire village could be set for a huge transformation.
Smoker hit with £500 fine after chucking cigarette on the floor
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Patch of land hit by anti-social behaviour could become new estate
New homes can be built on open land in a Nottinghamshire village.
A total of 18 properties were approved for the development off High Hazles Drive in Huthwaite by Ashfield District Council.
Applicant Sevenhills Estates says the land has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping which “demonstrates that the site is in need of development”.
Documents submitted for the development adds: “The proposal will provide much needed local accommodation within…Huthwaite and the wider area of Ashfield District and assist in meeting local housing needs.
“The proposal will create local employment opportunities during construction works as well as business opportunities for local suppliers and hire companies.
“Providing fresh and well-designed dwellings will contribute positively to the visual appearance of the site and enhance the sites setting.
“The development will make best future sustainable use of the site which lies currently undeveloped.”
The homes will be a mix of detached and semi-detached homes, with one terraced block of three homes.
Apartment complex “should be a good place for people to live” - now it can be
Flats that were “frequently” the scene of criminal acts and anti-social behaviour have been closed by police.
An order to shut three properties was approved by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on May 10.
The decision prevents anyone entering the homes in the Layton Burroughs development, Mansfield, for three months.
A fourth apartment has also been partially closed and restrictions plans on who can and can not visit, amid concerns over the resident’s welfare.
Nottinghamshire Police says incidents including drug dealing and violent crime had been reported in the area and linked to the flats.
Following the decision, PC Patrick Shone, who is responsible for the area, said: “The Layton Burroughs area should be a good place for people of all ages to live.
“It’s a modern and well-maintained development with a large communal garden and a great community spirit, and we won’t allow a small minority of residents to have a such a negative impact on their neighbours.
“These properties were very clearly linked to the supply of illegal drugs, which we believe is the root cause of other related offending and anti-social behaviour that have caused other residents such distress.
“We recognise too that the people involved can be intimidating and that neighbours may be fearful of standing up to these individuals.
“We, however, are not and will not hesitate to take similar action if this kind of behaviour continues in this area.”
Working with landlords PA Housing and Mansfield District Council, officers obtained multiple witness statements to present at court.
The closure orders prohibit the former tenants from returning to the address and can be extended for longer if required.
Councillor Angie Jackson, Joint Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Mansfield District Council, added: “I am pleased that, after a lot of hard work and perseverance from all partners involved, we have secured the closure of these problem properties.
“It is not fair or right for a small minority of residents to blight the area with illegal activity, so I hope this sends a strong message that we will not tolerate such behaviour in our communities.
“The council will continue to work with and support the police to make our communities safer and nicer for residents to live in.”
Smoker who chucked cigarette on floor among a number of fines handed out in district
A resident who dumped rubbing at a property in Sutton-in-Ashfield has been ordered to pay more than £2,000.
The individual, who has not been named, was handed a community protection notice after leaving the rubbish at a property in Elder Street and was taken to court after ignoring requests to remove the waste.
The resident was found guilty under the ASB, Crime and Policing Act at South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court.
In a drive to tackle fly-tipping and other environmental crime, Ashfield District Council officers also handed a fixed penalty notice to a resident in Kirkby’s Coxmoor estate.
Community protection officers discovered a large amount of waste found dumped at a property and the resident had become abusive to the officers.
Meanwhile, a smoker was fined £500 after being caught throwing a cigarette on the floor in Forest Road, Sutton.
They were handed a £100 FPN but failed to pay it, which led to a higher fine.
Home to go up for auction at £50k - but it needs a lot of work
A three-bedroom terraced property in Sutton-in-Ashfield is going up for auction with a guide price as low as £50,000.
Investors are being told the home in Mansfield Road could fetch a rental income of between £700-£750.
However, you are likely going to need to sink plenty of cash in the property to get it up to scratch.
It will go under the hammer on May 30 by SDL Auctions.
The organisation says it will need “upgrading” throughout, but adds it has ‘great potential to be a flip or rental property’.
You can view the property here
Recycling centre petition handed over
A petition signed by more than 2,500 people to save recycling centres in Nottinghamshire has been handed over to the county council.
The Conservative-led authority recently announced plans that could reduce the number of the tips in the county.
A petition was launched in opposition to the plans and it was handed to council chairman Richard Butlers by the Independent Alliance Opposition Group leader, Jason Zadrozny.
Councillor Zadrozny said: “I would like to thank residents for signing up in such huge numbers.
“I am pleased that resident’s voices have been heard loud and clear.
“A special report will now be produced by the Council, addressing the concerns before their next Full Meeting on 18 July.
“We hope that this will guarantee the future of our recycling centres.”
Thank you for reading today’s Ashfield News. If you have a story, email matt.bunn@protonmail.com