Hundreds of new homes approved for sites near town

Two housing developments totalling more than 450 homes around a town in Nottinghamshire have been approved by planners.

Ashfield District Council approved two housing projects, one on Hamilton Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield and the other 1.8 miles (2.3km) away on Beck Lane in Skegby, on Wednesday.

The applications for 250 properties in Hamilton Road and 230 in Beck Lane are solely for housing and public spaces.

Permission was granted as the developers of the estates will enter into Section 106 agreements to help fund local services.

District councillor Arnie Hankin told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting: "We still fall short of our housing needs in Ashfield and our members voted to pass it – and I think that was the right decision.

"We've received one letter of objection on the [Hamilton Road] application – but we approved it and it's a contribution of 250 houses.

"None of us like getting rid of green belt - unfortunately this has to happen from time to time."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.