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22/07/2023

Gedling borough residents warned by Nottinghamshire Police of cold calling risks

Residents in Gedling borough have been issued a warning by police of the risks that come with accepting work from cold callers.

The warning comes after numerous victims were conned out of thousands of pounds.

Police also said there had been a rise in reports of rogue or bogus traders targeting vulnerable residents in doorstep scams.

In one case, a resident lost over £100,000 after being conned three times by rogue traders, who pressurised him into having roof work done. The victim, in his 60s, was left distraught when he discovered the work carried out was insufficient and did not warrant the amount he paid.

Scam_Video — WARNING: Police want to help prevent elderly people fall for doorstep fraud

ALERT: Don’t reply to these texts from fraudsters

In another case, a frail woman in her 90s was left shaken and frightened after two men pressured her into accepting a £2,000 quote for repair work to her garage roof. It was only the intervention of a concerned neighbour that meant the two men left empty handed.

An 81-year-old woman agreed to pay a cold caller £20 for roof tile replacements. The cold caller went on to persuade her to pay £800 for additional work. Her relatives contacted police after suspecting she had been pressured into paying for unnecessary repairs.

Fraud officers are also investigating a series of incidents in Retford where a bogus tradesman failed to carry out roof repairs at three properties after pocketing thousands of pounds in upfront payments.

Sergeant Sally Collins, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Fraud Protect team, said the spike began in May when 13 reports were made, with a further 14 incidents recorded in June.

She said: “We’ve had one job where the rogue trader has accepted money for repair work and he just stuck Sellotape around the chimney. They told the elderly customer they’d put flashing around it, knowing they were too frail to go up onto the roof to check the work.”

“A lot of victims pay the money because they can’t handle the pressure these rogue traders put them under. Some are in such a frail state that they pay money just so they are left alone.”

Sergeant Tara Clapperton, also from the Fraud Protect team, added: “They put people under such pressure. They says things like, ‘you definitely need your roof doing or it will fall down on your house’. We’ve had cases where people have paid thousands of pounds for just a few tiles.”

Nottinghamshire Police has two Fraud Investigation teams who work to bring offenders to justice. In recent weeks, they include 64-year-old David Aves, who was jailed for three years in June after repeatedly failing to deliver goods he had sold to customers.

Sgt Collins said the force will not hesitate to put offenders before the courts, but added it was better to prevent incidents in the first place.

She said: “It can be difficult to put offenders before the courts because you need your victims to be willing to give evidence. But unfortunately, many are elderly and are too frail to leave the house or don’t want to attend court.

“It restricts our ability to disrupt and prosecute offenders, which is why preventative measures are so crucial in tackling this issue.”

Asked what people should do if a cold caller knocks on their door, Sgt Clapperton said: “Never agree to have work done or part with money on your doorstep – always discuss with a friend or relative to make your choice, not with the person at the door.

“If someone says you need work doing, always check with a reputable company. There’s a Government website called Buy With Confidence who can help you find a reputable trader.

“Our message is simple: Say ‘no’ to cold callers. You should not feel under any obligation to buy from people on your doorstep firmly but politely refuse the sales.

“Should they become aggressive and refuse to leave, please phone us immediately on 999. If it is non-urgent and you wish to inform us of the incident, please call on 101 or report it via the website.”

Warning signs of a rogue or bogus trader

They refuse to give you a written quote.

Without a paper trail or written quote, it’s hard for you to look into their company, compare prices or contact them if things start to go wrong. Always get itemised quotes from several providers that show exactly what you’re paying for.

They pressure you into an urgent decision.

You shouldn’t feel rushed into having work done on your home by someone on your doorstep. Calmly explain that you cannot commit or pay now and want to get other quotes. A reputable trader will understand. If the work is needed, take the time to ask different tradespeople questions about why it’s needed and why they’re recommending particular materials. Ask friends, family and neighbours for advice too. They may have had similar work done or know a good tradesperson.

They don’t have a website or any online presence.

Not all tradespeople will be on social media or independent comparison websites. But these are good places to check for reviews and examples of their work. It’s always worth doing a quick search for them online to read other people’s experiences.

They say they’re doing some work locally, but you cannot go round and see their work.

With home improvements, it can be useful to see a tradesperson’s previous work and speak to their past customers. What were they like to work with? Were they respectful of the property? Was the quote accurate? This won’t always be possible. But if they’re doing work locally and happened to notice something on your home, it’s a warning sign if you cannot go to their other, local site.

They tell you to go to a branch and take out cash while they set up.

You should never pay upfront for work on your property. A small, nominal deposit following an exchange of a written quote or other paperwork can be OK. But the full price should only be paid on completion.

For more useful tips, please read Take Five’s guide to doorstep scams: Doorstep Scam | Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk)

Argos and Sainsbury’s provide Arnold Foodbank with £1000 worth of breakfast food

Emily Sanchez

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22/07/2023

Argos and Sainsbury’s provide Arnold Foodbank with £1000 worth of breakfast food

With the end of the school year fast approaching, Arnold Food Bank issued a huge thank you to Argos & Sainsbury’s for delivering 200 bags of breakfast food to support local children through the summer holidays.

Argos is based inside the Sainsbury’s store in Arnold and decided to donate £500 to a local good cause – and the local team chose Arnold Food Bank.

Sainsburys then chose to match the donation bringing the total donation to £1000 worth of breakfast food, including milk and juice, to help support families during the summer holidays.

Arnold Foodbank feeds 300 local children per month.

The foodbank in Arnold marked its 10-year anniversary earlier this year and revealed it had given out food to over 43,000 people during those 10 years – enough to fill the Nottingham Motorpoint Ice Arena four times over.

Thousands of people from across the borough are now turning to food banks, unable to afford to feed themselves and their families as the cost of living crisis continues.

Rising energy bills and the price of a weekly shop is leaving many going hungry.

You can find more details about how you can support the foodbank HERE

Carlton Town signs Ghanaian international keeper Felix ‘The Cat’ Annan

Justin Doddy

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22/07/2023

Carlton Town signs Ghanaian international keeper Felix ‘The Cat’ Annan

Carlton Town continue to show their intent for the forthcoming season by signing Ghanaian international Felix Annan .

Following on from the official opening of their new stand and beer garden before beating Merthyr Town 4-0 last weekend, The Millers have announced the signing of international Ghanaian keeper Felix ‘The Cat’ Annan.

The latest signing continues a very positive off season for the Stoke Lane outfit.

Long-standing Gedling Miners Welfare Manager Andy Clerk joined the Millers over the summer and the Carlton Town Assistant Manager was delighted announcing on the club website that:

“We at CTFC are delighted to have Felix on board. Another great addition from pass move grin academy. Felix has been a breath of fresh air all preseason and has been outstanding in all the friendlies so far. We’re sure he will quickly become a fans favourite”

Felix, a Ghanaian International goal keeper is the fourth player to Join Carlton from Pass Move Grin Academy and the club proudly announced that Felix has played with the likes of Arsenal‘s Thomas Partey and
Represented Ghana in the 2019 AFCON World Cup.

Players are still available for sponsorship at the Stoke Lane outfit and following four pre-season wins The Millers next play Clifton All Whites FC at 3pm on Saturday July 22 at Green Lane, Clifton.

The latest news from Carlton Town FC can be read on the Millers website HERE

See the latest Gedling borough planning applications

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21/07/2023

See the latest Gedling borough planning applications

These are the latest applications to have been submitted to Gedling Borough Council this week.

House extensions and new dwellings proposals make up most of the applications submitted to Gedling Borough Council over the last week however an application has been submitted for 13 apartments and a detached house in Mapperley.

Here is a round-up of the latest plans that the council’s planning officers will now decide on.

More details can be found on Gedling Borough Council’s planning site HERE

Demolition of existing dwelling on site and erection of a new two storey house.

18 Chapel Lane Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9DA Ref. No: 2023/0548

Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of new dwelling.

18 Church Drive Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9FF Ref. No: 2023/0544

Conversion of existing workshop/offices into dwelling with pitched roof and flat roof extension and demolition of existing outbuildings.

49 St Albans Road Daybrook Nottinghamshire NG5 6JH Ref. No: 2023/0530

Telecommunications mast and equipment/power cabinets.

Street Record Mansfield Road Daybrook Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2023/0538

Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning application: 2021/0601 to enable fenestration alterations, creation of second gable to front elevation, reduction in dormer size and creation of Juliet balconies.

19 Buckingham Road Woodthorpe Nottinghamshire NG5 4GE Ref. No: 2023/0528

Single storey rear and side extension

7 Dereham Drive Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 6PS Ref. No: 2023/0522

Single storey rear extension

11 Holyoake Road Gedling Nottinghamshire NG3 6DX Ref. No: 2023/0521

Proposed replacement dwelling

599 Mapperley Plains Arnold Nottinghamshire NG3 5RX Ref. No: 2023/0518

A residential garden storage shed built on land within the property boundary.

171 Burton Road Gedling Nottinghamshire NG4 2QF Ref. No: 2023/0515

Single storey front porch extension; re-roof existing conservatory and externally insulate main property with render finish

165 Valeside Gardens Colwick Nottinghamshire NG4 2EN Ref. No: 2023/0512

Two storey rear extension and front ground floor extension

17C Newton Road Gedling NG4 4HL Ref. No: 2023/0514

Remove and replace diseased Lime tree (T1) .

4 Blackburn Close Gedling Nottinghamshire NG4 4AX Ref. No: 2023/0509TPO

Proposed Side extensions, change of front door location and New Roof

Greenwood Gardens Ollerton Road Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 8PR Ref. No: 2023/0511

Discharge of condition 4 of 2020/1312 – Details of hard and soft landscaping.

53 Woodthorpe Drive Woodthorpe Nottinghamshire NG5 4GY Ref. No: 2023/0505DOC

Discharge of conditions 3 and 4 (Materials), 5,6 and 7 (Window details), 8 (Sound Insullation) and 9 (bin storage) of planning permission 2021/0936.

Regenerate 53 Front Street Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 7EA Ref. No: 2023/0507DOC

Demolition of garage and construction of single storey side and rear extension and raised deck

35 Whernside Road Woodthorpe Nottinghamshire NG5 4LB Ref. No: 2023/0506

Erection of L-shaped dormer on rear facing roof slope of main house and roof of outrigger

40 Ashwell Street Netherfield Nottinghamshire NG4 2FQ Ref. No: 2023/0504

New aluminium framed shop front section with roller shutter, new timber canopy and external chiller; new opening in external wall for access to warehouse; 1 no. new gas cooler pack installed on level base; 1 no. pack installed on level base; 1 no. AC units installed on level base and new ventilation in external wall.

109 Collyer Road Calverton Nottinghamshire NG14 6LZ Ref. No: 2023/0497

Non-material amendment application for approval under 2021/0449 for the erection of a single storey extension (altering the roof design of extension to a lower height)

174 Porchester Road Carlton Nottinghamshire NG3 6LG Ref. No: 2023/0494NMA

Demolition of rear conservatory and erection of side and front extensions

2 Waltham Road Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9FP Ref. No: 2023/0491

Single storey rear and single storey side extensions including smooth render finish

180 Main Road Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9GW Ref. No: 2023/0493

Discharge of conditions 3 (materials), 4 (window details) and 5 (biodiversity enhancement) of planning permission: 2022/0217.

Monks Barn Newstead Abbey Park Newstead Nottinghamshire NG15 8GE Ref. No: 2023/0490

Single storey front and rear extension; new roof and loft space over existing double storey side extension

21 Greys Road Woodthorpe Nottinghamshire NG5 4GU Ref. No: 2023/0486

Installation of Battery Energy Storage Unit at constructed back-up electricity generation facility

Land Adjacent Road No 5 Colwick Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2023/0489

Erection of a 30 square metre single storey wooden outbuilding, maximum height of 3 metres

2 Lee Road Burton Joyce Nottinghamshire NG14 5GP Ref. No: 2023/0484

Two storey side extension including garage and Juliet balcony, single storey rear extension, front porch, fenestration alterations, rendering of dwelling and associated works.

50 Chesterfield Drive Burton Joyce Nottinghamshire NG14 5EQ Ref. No: 2023/0482

Demolition of 6 Sandford Road and construction of 1 detached house & 13 apartments on 2 Sandford Road.

2 Sandford Road Mapperley Nottinghamshire NG3 6AL Ref. No: 2023/0474

The creation of new access ramps to the front and sides of the property, with a new canopy to the front door access. Rear garden levels raised minimally to accommodate new access. Minimal internal changes to layout.

9 Parklands Close Bestwood Nottinghamshire NG5 9QU Ref. No: 2023/0446

Replace skylights, remove staircase to loft and replace with a loft hatch and repair the lime render to the chimney.

86 Main Road Gedling Nottinghamshire NG4 3HG Ref. No: 2023/0429

Ground floor extension to the side and rear elevations. Amended scheme following previously granted application 2023/0101.

36 Regina Crescent Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9AE Ref. No: 2023/0417

Kitchen extension & removal of conservatory

4 Grenville Rise Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 8EW Ref. No: 2023/0367

PICTURES: Arnold housing development left abandoned mid-construction as firm falls into administration

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21/07/2023

PICTURES: Arnold housing development left abandoned mid-construction as firm falls into administration

The first occupiers were set to collect their keys to their new homes at Rolleston Drive – but the development now lies dormant with weeds growing and rubbish blowing around the site.

The much-lauded 131 property development has within weeks turned into a ‘ghost town’.

The last statement from a Jigsaw Homes spokesperson was to the Local Democracy Reporting Service where they said: “We are very disappointed to hear that ilke Homes has gone into administration.

Rolleston Drive homes Arnold — PICTURED: An artist’s impression of the new homes on Rolleston Drive and the dream affordable home for so many.

PICTURED: The reality of the new homes on Rolleston Drive and the dream affordable home for so many. (GEDLING EYE)

“We were informed of this by the administrators on Friday afternoon, June 30, and we are now in talks with them to discuss and consider our options.”

All photographs courtesy of GEDLING EYE

The new development, was one of the largest modular schemes to be funded through the Affordable Homes Programme by the Government’s housing agency and were being manufactured for Jigsaw Homes, who were expected to eventually own and operate the scheme.

During Gedling Borough Council Full Council on July 12, Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth (Lab), portfolio holder for growth and regeneration, said:

“Rolleston Drive was due to provide 85 affordable homes. There are currently 605 live applications on the home search system, so the allocation of 85 properties would have seen the current numbers of households on the waiting list reduce by 14 per cent.

“There are individuals and families behind these figures whose hopes of moving into a new, permanent and secure home within the next few weeks have been dashed.”

At the same full council meeting Cllr Helen Greensmith (Con) questioned whether the council carried out any checks on the company before work started and Cllr Hollingsworth adding: “This was an arrangement between (housing association) Jigsaw Homes and ilke, funded substantially through Homes England.

“It was not an arrangement with Gedling Borough Council. We have no financial commitment or obligation.”

How to Increase Fire Safety at Home and Work

Sponsored

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20/07/2023

How to Increase Fire Safety at Home and Work

Fires in the home and workplace can cause a significant amount of damage, along with a serious risk of injuries and even death. Even with that aside, it can cause a lot of emotional damage and stress, with valuable and sentimental possessions being destroyed by smoke and heat. Naturally, it makes sense to take fire safety extremely seriously, and there are a lot of laws and regulations that need to be followed.

Fire safety laws particularly apply to the workplace, but it’s also a good idea to follow fire safety practices at home too. In this guide, we’ll share some tips on how you can improve fire safety, including information on how fires start, fire risk assessment and the use of equipment such as fire exit signs to promote safety.

How Do Fires Start?

All fires, no matter where they’re located, are started by a source of ignition and a source of fuel. The ignition provides the heat or sparks to release the energy within the fuel, causing combustion and a fire. The fire will burn for as long as there is fuel and oxygen remaining, causing damage to anything it touches.

The type of fuel and source of ignition can vary. For example, a lit match and a canister of petrol would quickly start a fire. However, fires can also start from cooking stoves, faulty electrics and other sources. Fuel could be anything that’s capable of burning, though some fuel types are more flammable than others. While a growing number of materials used in the home and workplace are made to be fire-resistant, others can be extremely flammable. When storing items, it’s important to think about how flammable they could be.

Fire Risk Assessment

When considering fire safety, it’s important to take a look at potential fuel and ignition sources in the area. This will form the basis of your fire risk assessment, helping you identify potential fire hazards and come up with ways to reduce them. When performing your risk assessment, you should look at things that could potentially be a source of ignition or a source of fuel and make a note of them. In addition, you also want to consider things that may be a risk to proper evacuation procedures.

The first stage of the assessment is to identify the risks and evaluate them based on how much of a risk they are and the potential severity of the hazard. Then, think about ways you can reduce the risks. This may be as simple as testing electrical equipment regularly to prevent faults or to move fuel sources away from sources of ignition. Finally, make sure you’re also increasing the fire safety equipment required, including things like extinguishers and smoke alarms.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

While small fires may be able to be put out with a fire blanket or extinguisher, most of the time it can be unsafe to try and deal with them. If you encounter a fire, your best course of action is to raise the alarm and proceed to the nearest emergency exit. While some people will want to rescue possessions or spend time trying to get other people out, it’s always safer to exit the building as soon as possible and call the fire brigade once you’re safe outside.

Evacuating quickly and calmly is key, because it helps ensure that people can get out of the building before they succumb to the effects of the fire. While the heat can be damaging, it’s often the smoke that causes the biggest problem, reducing visibility and preventing you from being able to breathe.

CCTV camera installed at anti-social behaviour hotspot in Colwick after council granted Safer Streets funds

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)

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20/07/2023

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CCTV camera installed at anti-social behaviour hotspot in Colwick after council granted Safer Streets funds

A new CCTV camera has been installed at an anti-social behaviour hotspot in Colwick after Gedling Borough Council was granted funding from the Government’s Safer Streets fund.

The 360-degree CCTV camera has been installed on Balmoral Road to help tackle anti-social behaviour and support the new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is active in the surrounding area.

The camera provides high-quality images to the council’s CCTV control room and will be used to assist the police with investigations, as well as aiding the council’s Community Safety Team and Neighbourhood Wardens in tackling anti-social behaviour.

The camera will also support the recently launched PSPO which has been introduced in parts of Netherfield, Colwick, and Trent Valley wards to address issues of car cruising and associated anti-social behaviour.

Funding for the camera, which cost £24,000, was provided by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner as part of the Safer Streets fund. The funding was specifically allocated to parts of Netherfield and Colwick and can be invested in measures that support the council in addressing issues such as neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

The camera is the second to be installed in the area thanks to the Safer Streets Fund, following the installation of another CCTV camera on Colwick Loop Road earlier this year.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Anti-social behaviour has a big impact on people’s quality of life and they should not have to tolerate it.

This new CCTV camera, combined with a range of other Safer Streets initiatives in Netherfield and Colwick, show that as partner agencies we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with local residents and doing everything we can to make their neighbourhoods safer and more enjoyable places to live, work and visit.”

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “It’s vital that our residents feel safe where they live, and that’s why we’re working closely with the Police to help protect and support local communities across the borough.

“This new CCTV camera will help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and will be a valuable tool to help us keep our borough safe.

I’d like to thank the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner for working in partnership with us on this project and providing the much-needed funding to make this happen.”

CALVERTON: Memorial barrows plan at newly-approved burial ground could be refused

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20/07/2023

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)

CALVERTON: Memorial barrows plan at newly-approved burial ground could be refused

Three new ‘barrow’ memorial structures planned at a recently-approved burial ground in Calverton could be turned down over fears they will impact the landscape.

Funeral director and applicant A W Lymn first received planning consent for the burial ground, off Georges Lane in the summer 2022.

The plans were lodged following concerns there was not enough grave space left in the Arnold area.

Calverton Cemetery — PICTURED: A new cemetery has been proposed on land off George’s Lane near Calverton

Gedling Borough Council says Carlton Cemetery has 20-plus years of burial space, while Calverton also has room left.

But Redhill Cemetery in Arnold has been designated full to all, apart from ashes, multiple-occupation and pre-purchased graves.

This led to the Calverton plans being backed at a planning committee meeting in July last year.

However, the Labour-run council has confirmed this planning permission is yet to be implemented by the applicant.

The funeral company has since submitted more plans for the land, including the creation of three barrows on the burial ground.

Barrows are mounds which offer a natural alternative to modern memorials and cemeteries. They are often used for cremated remains.

The barrows – two of which would be open and one which would have a grass-covered roof – would be used for the placement of cremation urns.

Barrows one and two, which are open and on a wall, would measure 2.7 metres high and 14 metres in diameter.

The first barrow would include a reflection pool and bearer stone, with the second including a central tree.

The third, grass-mounded barrow, would be nine metres high and 10 metres wide and would be completely covered.

The site, if approved, would adjoin the internal burial ground access road included in the plans from 2022, while a separate access path and landscaping are also proposed.

However, the authority’s planning committee has been recommended to refuse the proposals next week over concerns about the impact on the countryside.

The development site is within the greenbelt and an objection letter has been submitted by Calverton Parish Council.

The council says the side and height of the barrows are “not in keeping with the greenbelt surroundings” and said the plans are not “sympathetic” to the rural landscape.

No other objections were raised during a planning consultation, with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water all not making comments on the plans.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s highways, flooding and rights of way teams also raised no comments, while its archaeology team “does not believe there will be any impact on archaeological remains”.

However, Gedling Borough Council’s planning department will advise councillors to refuse the plans next week over the impact on the greenbelt.

It considers the plans would “not preserve the openness of the greenbelt” due to the “size and scale” of the barrows.

“This is in contrast to the site’s current undeveloped and open nature and the proposed burial meadow which was of a much lesser scale and was considered [last year],” it added.

But in documents, the applicant said the use of the greenbelt is appropriate and would not have a “detrimental impact on the openness” of the countryside.

In response, the authority said: “That view is contested.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is contested that any special circumstances exist to allow what would otherwise be considered inappropriate development within the greenbelt.”

Councillors will determine the fate of the three barrows at the planning committee meeting on July 26.

GEDLING BOROUGH COUNCIL: Vacant land on either side of £49m Colliery Way in Mapperley could become flats and houses

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20/07/2023