Saturday date added in Hucknall for residents to speak to council officers regarding controversial Local Plan

Ashfield District Council has added a Saturday date to their face to face sessions for residents in Hucknall to discuss the Local Plan.

The move comes following concerns expressed by local residents. The Council already has three days booked at Hucknall Library on South Street, where local residents can book a 20 minute appointment to discuss their concerns. Hucknall residents had expressed a concern that no Saturday was available.

The sessions allow residents to have their questions answered by Council Officers about the controversial draft housing plan which includes proposals to build 3000 houses on greenbelt land on Whyburn Farm in Hucknall.

The Council has now agreed to host 20 minute appointments at Watnall Road Community Centre on Watnall Road on Saturday 6 November.

Other 20 minute appointments can be made between 9am and 5pm on Thursday 28 October and Monday 1 November. The first session took place yesterday (Monday 18 October), also between 9am and 5pm.

Councillor Lee Waters, who is campaigning against the draft housing plan said: "Residents rightly got in touch to ask why the Council didn't arrange a Saturday briefing session. This is something that I took up with the Council and I am pleased that they have listened.

"It's important that residents are armed with the correct information in order to play a full and learned part in the consultation. I didn't want residents working full time to miss the opportunity to have their say."

Councillor Waters said that local Hucknall Ashfield Independent councillors were all objecting individually to the draft proposals.

He said: "We have been very clear that the Conservative Government shouldn't be setting arbitrary housing targets from Whitehall. This is an opportunity for council officers to go through the process with any resident who can spare 20 minutes. I hope that as many local residents take advantage. I would like to repeat my call for every resident in our town to have their say."

The remaining consultations available are:

Thursday 28 October - Available at 20 minute periods from 9am to 5pm – Hucknall Library

Monday 1 November - Available at 20 minute periods from 9am to 5pm – Hucknall Library

Saturday 6 November - Available at 20 minute periods from 9am to 4.20pm – Watnall Road Community Centre, Watnall Road

To book an appointment telephone 01623 457302 or email: [email protected]