Metal Box: Green light for redevelopment of Mansfield factory site

The factory's original clocktower will be incorporated into the new building

Plans to redevelop a derelict former factory site in Nottinghamshire have been approved.

The Metal Box factory in Rock Valley, Mansfield, was demolished in 2011 after closing the previous year.

Permission to build a retirement complex, incorporating the site's landmark clocktower, has now been given by the district council.

The finished development will provide 47 apartments in two separate blocks, along with 27 bungalows.

Any redevelopment of the long-derelict site is a good thing, the committee heard

On Monday, Mansfield District Council's planning committee heard the plans were a "great opportunity" for the area, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Nigel Moxon said: "I'm gobsmacked by how good it will look.

"The clocktower was the thing most people were afraid would disappear or wouldn't look as good.

"It's ticking all the boxes, and is a great opportunity. This area been derelict for so long that getting it rejuvenated is compensation."

Councillor June Stendall agreed, saying: "I'm shocked how good this design is at incorporating the clocktower. It's far better than I imagined it would be."

Concerns over a lack of developer contributions, known as section 106, were offset by other benefits, the committee was told.

Its chair Andy Wetton said: "Because of all the problems with the site, it's effectively been abandoned.

"The benefits of it being redeveloped far outweigh the loss of the section 106 contributions that we would have expected from a development of this size."

Plans have also been altered to meet the Environment Agency's objections about potential flooding from the nearby River Maun.