Plan for 6,100 new Broxtowe homes gets green light

A plan to build 6,100 new homes in Nottinghamshire over the next 15 years has been given the go-ahead.

A packed meeting at Broxtowe Borough Council saw councillors approve the scheme following four hours of debate.

Residents have voiced concern that some of the 97 sites earmarked for development include green belt land.

But the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition which runs the authority said only about 2% of the borough's green belt land would be used.

David Watts, the borough council's planning officer, said: "We've had comments about the green belt being concreted over but it's nothing like that.

"We're having to take a small amount of land as has happened to the council in the past when it's been led by both Labour and the Conservatives.

"As the population of Greater Nottingham grows, we need to make sure people have got homes to live in."

Richard Jackson, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: "If you say it [2%] quickly, it doesn't sound like much but they've decided to recommend building on green belt land that's adjacent to existing settlements.

"So by definition it's the really valuable proportion that people see every day."

Broxtowe Borough Council said there would be further consultation before a government inspector makes a final decision next year.