But they’ve not done it, citing the reason the hole on Glendale Close “does not meet the criteria for remedial work”.
Mr Taylor begs to differ.
“I’ve been drenched three times getting in the car when cars drive past through it after it’s rained,” says the 72-year-old retired mechanic. “Once I was sitting in the car with the window open and I got drenched.
“And another time my daughter parked it and left the window open overnight. The upholstery was wet through the next day.”
The two-metre long, beer-bottle shaped crater was but a small inconvenience when Mr Taylor first reported it in early 2022. Not long after, highways workers came to repair it, filling the hollow with tarmac.
But as the sun dawned the next day, Mr Taylor noticed a fist-sized cavity remaining next to the newly filled hole in the road.
“I phoned them to ask if that was actually the repair,” he says. “I couldn’t believe it. They told me they only do what’s necessary.
“I said: ‘It is necessary’. I said: ‘Mark my words – in a few weeks or months time it’s going to get bigger. Cars will go over it and break the side’. And that’s exactly what’s happened.”
Over the following three years, the road surface around the tennis-ball sized cavity began to wear away.
Mr Taylor said he kept repeatedly ringing the council, and staff have been out seven or eight times, he claims, to the patch.
But it’s only ever to measure it – not repair it, he claims.
When they arrive, with a long ruler, according to Mr Taylor, they find, repeatedly, that the pothole is less than 30mm deep – allegedly the threshold for repairs.
But they only measure around the edge, he says, not the middle, where it’s at least 50mm down, he claims.
A neighbour of Mr Taylor’s, Patrick Flewitt, says he has made his own complaints after he tripped in the hole on the way back home from a local pub.
“I was coming back from Wetherspoons,” said the 82-year-old. “I got off the bus, it was dark, and I crossed the road. I went over on it and it was aching for a few days.
“It’s been going on for years. They’re not making a proper job of it. We’re not getting value for money on our council tax.”
In the past, Mr Taylor has been out with buckets to collect the stone chippings that have come off the surface.
“Bits break off daily,” he said. “There are chips of tarmac all over the road. I got rid of my car because it kept getting stone chips on it.
“They shoot up that far that I found them on my windscreen. They started scraping when I turned the wipers on.
“I shouldn’t have to put up with it. It’s faulty workmanship. They haven’t done their job correctly.
“If I’d have paid someone directly to do it and I came back and saw what they’d done, I wouldn’t have been happy. I’d want my money back.
“Someone said we should paint a red cross on it and then they’d come and do something.”
Nottinghamshire County Council was contacted for comment.
A Mapperley woman probably “would not have died” if correct risk assessments had been made by mental health teams, an inquest has heard.
Sophie Towle collapsed in cardiac arrest while she was a patient at Sherwood Oaks mental health hospital as a result of a blood clot in her lung on May 27, 2024, aged just 22.
Two weeks earlier, in a form of self-harm, she had inserted a pen into a pre-existing open wound on her left leg and went to hospital three times in the incident’s aftermath.
But ultimately she was not assessed as being in danger of developing a blood clot, despite factors that should have rung alarm bells that she was a high-risk patient, intensive care doctor Jasmeet Soar told the inquest at Nottingham Coroners Court.
The lack of this assessment “more than minimally” contributed to her death, Dr Soar said during the first day of proceedings at Nottingham Council House on Monday, October 6.
Sophie Towle was sectioned at Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield.Sophie went to A&E at King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield, and was booked in the next day for a surgery to take the pen out. But the surgery did not take place
Sophie, from Mapperley, had been in and out of mental health facilities since 2021, had a history of self-harm, and at the time of her death, was sectioned at Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield.
Sophie and her family had serious concerns about her transfer from a mental health facility in Doncaster back to Sherwood Oaks, run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
On May 12, 2024, just over two weeks after she had been moved back to Nottinghamshire against her will and while she was on one-to-one observations, Sophie stuck the broken end of a ballpoint pen into a wound in her calf, just below her knee.
The following day, in severe pain, she went to A&E at King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield, and was booked in the next day for a surgery to take the pen out.
But the surgery did not take place because doctors considered that the risks of removing it outweighed the benefits.
These risks were related to the difficulty of getting to the pen, the risk of her reinserting a foreign body into the wound, and her BMI of 49, which made her severely obese and meant anaesthetising her was a bigger risk than for someone with a healthy BMI.
She was sent back to Sherwood Oaks instead with a crutch to help with her mobility, as the pain meant she was unable to walk unaided.
Over the next five days the wound developed an infection, and she returned to King’s Mill for a third time on May 19.
She was offered antibiotics, which cleared the infection, and she was sent again back to Sherwood Oaks without being admitted to hospital.
But over the next few days, she began to complain of chest pains and shortness of breath.
On May 27, she suffered a number of seizures and eventually went into cardiac arrest that evening and was later pronounced dead.
The inquest heard she had suffered a massive pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lungs – resulting from blood clots in her legs which had travelled up her bloodstream.
Dr Soar said that if she had been admitted to King’s Mill, Sophie would have been automatically subject to assessments that would’ve scored her at a high enough risk level to be treated with prophylaxis medication to prevent clots from happening.
But the inquest was told she only ever visited A&E and did not become an inpatient.
Dr Soar added that Sherwood Oaks, as her primary care giver, should have risk assessed her themselves in the circumstances.
Her weight and immobility were factors that should have been noticed by staff.
He said: “There was an oversight on her blood clot risk. I think she should’ve had a risk assessment due to her immobility. If she had, on the balance of probabilities, she would not have died.”
Two huge international acts have been announced as the headliners for Splendour 2026. The Wombats will headline on Saturday, July 18 and Snow Patrol on Sunday, July 19 2026.
Day tickets from £72 are being released now for the Nottingham festival weekend, with many more acts to be announced this year. With payment plans in place, buying early is the perfect way to spread the cost over a full nine months.
Since they emerged as leading lights of noughties indie, The Wombats have maintained an incredible upward momentum and show no signs of slowing down with the release of their sonically adventurous sixth album.
The Liverpool trio are known for their joyous, playful and energetic live shows all the while delivering songs with a searing confessional emotional honesty. With a fantastic catalogue and knack for showmanship, the Splendour crowd is in for a treat.
Iconic Northern Irish / Scottish indie-rock band Snow Patrol are known for their swooningly sensitive songs led by the soaring vocals of Gary Lightbody. Formed in Dundee in 1994, the band released their 5x- platinum, major-label debut ‘Final Straw’ in 2003. Hit track “Run” saw the group catapulted to national fame as they led the charge of the post-Britpop movement.
Over the course of their career, Snow Patrol have amassed a momentous seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and been nominated for six BRIT Awards and one GRAMMY. Last year, the band released their UK Number One album ‘The Forest Is The Path’ to widespread acclaim. With fan favourites Chasing Cars, Run and Spitting Games in their hit strewn catalogue, the stage is set for an epic performance at Wollaton Park next summer.
DHP Family Director of Live Anton Lockwood said: “We’re delighted to welcome The Wombats and Snow Patrol as the two headliners for Splendour 2026. With sing-along-hits and huge anthems, they are both artists we’ve been wanting to secure for a very long time – so it’s fantastic they are both coming to Nottingham. Of course there will be lots more to follow across all our stages, with more to announce soon.
Day tickets are £80pp or £72pp with City Resident Discount. The payment plan works out £8 per month on ticket purchases made now. Weekend tickets are £115pp or £103.5pp with City Resident Discount, or £11.50 per month on the payment plan. Booking fees apply.
In his latest column, Cllr Barton shares his thoughts on the recent results from a public survey on the impending local government reorganisation…
The recent LGR survey in Nottinghamshire has been held up as a barometer of how the public feel about the impending local government reorganisation. I do not feel that this is the case.
Our requests to review the survey were denied, which I found disappointing that thirty-four residents were selected for the focus groups to represent an entire county. I do not feel that this representative sample of the people of Nottinghamshire.
Despite being well advertised we only received 11,483 responses. A minuscule one percent of the population. 900 responses came directly from council employees and councillors, only 200 received from local business owners. The under 45’s, made up 21% of responses, with no responses from ethnic communities. I am afraid this is not a reflection of Nottinghamshire’s opinion, it is misrepresentation.
In my opinion the public have been scared that services will be cut, believing that leisure centres, libraries will be closing. That adult care would collapse overnight, forcing merges with Nottingham city, causing fearmongering. Where is the informed debate here?
Let’s not forget, remaining as we are, is not an option. The Labour government has made that clear. If we do not act, the decision will be imposed on us. Reform UK believe in choice… fair informed choice.
“Let’s not forget, remaining as we are, is not an option. The Labour government has made that clear.”
This is why we are working with PWC and experienced council officers to design two new fit for purpose councils that will deliver value for money, a stronger local voice.
Reform will not allow a flawed, rushed and biased process to dictate the future of our communities. I will fight for a fair, transparent and evidence led solution – one that puts residents first, not for political convenience. Nottinghamshire deserve better and I intend to deliver better for you.
Moving on positively, Notts Reform councillors are willing to engage with you if you have questions for clarification or even require further information on LGR and what it means to you. I am looking to come out into the community and speak directly with any of you who want more information, Or if it is easier for you to chat with me my e-mail please send your query about LGR to LeaderofReform@nottscc.gov.uk .
I do want to share with you a few updates on the work we have started.
I initiated a highways review back in May, which will be complete later this month, I will hopefully be taking this through the cabinet and council process in November. I am looking to introduce a right first-time approach, especially when it comes to fixing potholes and smaller repairs to roads, to save money in the long run. You have probably already noticed there is a massive improvement in the larger repairs we are doing to roads and the full resurfacing programs we have planned for the near future, next year and the following year will set us on the right path for years to come. This was one of the main priorities that the residents gave us, we have not let you down and we will continue to deliver on our pledges. Reform councillors have reported over six thousand potholes repaired, along with ten miles of roads, so far. I will keep you updated in my columns.
Works on revamping a former Arnold church into more than 20 new apartments are progressing.
In February, Gedling Borough Council approved plans to convert the former Baptist Church in Cross Street into nine flats and a further 14 apartments to be built in a new four-storey building next to the church.
The developer, 9 Property Group Ltd, will partly retain the two-storey extension to the south of the church – believed to have been attached to the previous chapel and acted as school rooms – and the very east section will be demolished.
In the converted church, there will be five duplex apartments, with three one-bed and two, two-beds, along with one two-bed and three one-bed single-storey apartments.
The church, which dates back to 1909, replaced the previous chapel built in 1825, closed in 2020.
In the converted church, there will be five duplex apartmentsThe church, which dates back to 1909, replaced the previous chapel built in 1825, closed in 2020.
Works to revamp the site are now progressing, with vegetation being cleared and an archaeology team, led by Contour Archaeology, appearing on site on Monday (October 6). Once the team has completed its works, the ground works can then take place.
The church building has suffered from vandalism since closing and several windows have been broken and damaged. In August 2024 a fire started in the church.
But nearby residents say the antisocial behaviour has reduced since the fire and after the church was boarded up.
One resident said: “They were just breaking in and you could hear them smashing things up inside, or teenagers running around in there. There’s even been teenagers on the roof before. Since they’ve boarded it up it hasn’t been as bad.”
Once complete, the new scheme will not come with any parking spaces due to the sloping nature of the site, but residents believe this will create traffic problems in the area.
Another. resident said: “They [could have] at least 20 cars. There’s no spaces. [I] already have one space [nearby], it’s already a bit of a problem.
“There’s going to be more people, are they going to be walking round here? There will be more people and more traffic.”
On 9 Property Group Ltd’s website, it says the gross development value – the estimated value the new development would gain on the open market – is £3.1 million and states the year for the scheme as 2026.
Netherfield residents have called for tighter tenant vetting procedures for HMOs after experiencing a “hostile” living environment.
The calls come from residents after they experienced nuisance from a tenant living in a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) on their road.
HMO concerns were shared by Gedling Borough Council leader, Labour’s John Clarke, in a cabinet meeting in early September where he said HMOs in Netherfield were “spreading and they are spreading significantly”.
He referred to a resident’s impacted “quality of life” from nearby HMOs and asked for more regular updates on how many HMOs are in the borough.
Gedling Borough Council is not the only Nottinghamshire authority to call for action on HMOs. In August, Bassetlaw District Council backed a call to tighten planning rules for smaller HMOs. A motion during a council meeting called for an Article 4 Direction to be introduced for the district.
Gedling Borough Council leader, Labour’s John Clarke said HMOs in Netherfield were “spreading and are spreading significantly”.Residents protested about the amount of HMOs being approved in Netherfield a few years ago
Under current planning policy, changing a home to a small HMO is classed as “permitted development”, meaning planning permission from a local authority is not needed.
Article 4 Directions allow councils to withdraw these permitted development rights for HMOs across a defined area, meaning smaller HMOs would require planning permission and would allow resident consultation.
Speaking on Friday (October 3), Netherfield resident, Taylor said his partner “doesn’t feel secure” after a nearby HMO tenant’s previous incidences of fighting in the street.
He said: “You don’t know who you’re going to get. There’s not enough vetting for people as well.
“She wants to feel safe and sometimes she doesn’t want to go outside because there’s people just coming in and out [of the HMO]”, he continued, adding it is a “quite hostile” environment at times.
Another resident who has lived on the road for around two years, but asked not to be named, said: “People need somewhere to live, so I’m not against [HMOs] in any way – what my concern is there’s now some serious security issues.”
They continued: “Police are always called, they’re fighting in the streets, there have been thefts. We’ve reported it to the landlord which was quite a difficult process because it’s really not transparent who the landlord is.”
The resident added she has put cameras on the front of their house as a precaution and said they had noticed more HMOs in the area.
They said “from my perception it seems like there’s a lot on [my] street. I think because houses are older, not as well maintained, they’re cheap to buy” and added tenants need to be “vetted in some way”.
Another resident, Rob, said he thinks legislation needs to be “tighter” on private landlords, including HMO landlords. He said: “Ideally what I’d like to see is people afford their own places… I just think legislation needs to be really tight on landlords – what you can expect as a tenant.
“Netherfield’s got a lot of rented [spaces] in the smaller houses. They’re really neglected and the landlords neglect the houses – they put people in, take the rent and that’s it. I think that brings the sense of community down.”
According to the Office for National Statistics data, there are an estimated 182,554 HMO’s in England and Wales – 74 per cent of these are ‘small’ HMOs usually with three or four tenants.
HMOs accounted for only 0.54 per cent of homes in Netherfield – around one in 200 – and the council says there is “no evidence” of an increase in HMOs there since a previous report in December 2022.
But public perception on HMO volumes and available national data appear to not coincide at times.
HMO licences granted by British councils fell from 25,445 in 2023 to 23,947 in 2024 – a 5.9 per cent drop – although individual areas did see increases.
A nationwide recruitment drive for 19,000 festive workers has been launched by Sainsbury’s and Argos.
The recruitment drive includes 17,000 roles at Sainsbury’s and 2,000 at Argos.
Sainsbury’s has a number oif stores in Gedling borough and a branch of Argos at Colwick.
Temporary employees will be tasked with replenishing shelves, serving customers and delivering last-minute gifts to customers’ homes.
The retailer will providing free food during shifts over the festive season, and is offering eligible staff a 10% discount at Sainsbury’s and Argos, rising to 15% every Friday and Saturday at Sainsbury’s, and on payday at Argos.
Seasonal staff will be hired on fixed-term contracts ranging from four to 12 weeks.
PICTURED: Sainsbury’s store in Arnold (IMAGE: Google)
Sainsbury’s chief retail, logistics and supply chain officer Tracey Clements said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of new team members to help us deliver great-tasting festive products, unbeatable value and brilliant service across our stores, fulfilment centres and out on the road, delivering to customers in communities across the UK.
“Whether joining us for the first time or returning to share the festive spirit once again, we’re proud to grow our team for the most exciting time of the year.”
These are the latest applications to have been submitted to and validated byGedling Borough Council this week.
This is a round-up of the latest plans that the council’s planning officers have validated.
These applications will now be decided by Gedling borough planners.
More details can be found on the Gedling Borough Council planning site HERE by using the reference codes published below.
Construction of outbuilding and decking/terrace area to rear of dwelling. 515 Mansfield Road, Redhill Ref. No: 2025/0716
Proposed demolition of existing dwelling and redevelopment comprising 3 dwellings with associated access and landscaping 313 Mapperley Plains, Arnold Ref. No: 2025/0707
Full planning application for the replacement of an ancillary building with a smaller ancillary building, cycle store and car park. Nottinghamshire Fire And Rescue Headquarters, Bestwood Lodge Drive, Bestwood Ref. No: 2025/0701
Full planning application for the demolition of the existing tennis court and its replacement with a new padel court, together with associated landscaping and floodlighting. Nottinghamshire Fire And Rescue Headquarters, Bestwood Lodge Drive, Bestwood Ref. No: 2025/0700
Demolish existing buildings and develop a new private residential therapy and treatment centre, together with associated infrastructure and landscaping. Variation of Conditions 21 and 22 of planning permission 2024/0708 to allow the removal of 3 no. additional trees to enable alterations to ground level to facilitate the required gradient for the access drive. Nottinghamshire Fire And Rescue Headquarters, Bestwood Lodge Drive, Bestwood Ref. No: 2025/0702
Proposed renovation and extension of existing cottage, to form two dwellings including access driveway, parking and associated gardens 34 Main Street, Calverton Ref. No: 2025/0703
Certificate of Lawful Use (existing) for the use of an outbuilding as a dwelling 32 Pilkington Road, Mapperley Nottinghamshire NG3 6HL Ref. No: 2025/0704
Discharge of condition 9 (drainage scheme) of planning permission 2022/0426 Land Rear Coppice Farmhouse, Mapperley Plains, Arnold Ref. No: 2025/0698DOC
Change of use of dwelling (Use Class C3) to care home (Use Class C2) 864 Woodborough Road, Mapperley Ref. No: 2025/0691
Conversion and extension of existing workshop to form 2 dwellings (including 50% footprint extension) and construction of an additional single new dwelling of 150M2 Lambley Caravan Storage, Spring Lane, Lambley Ref. No: 2025/0678
Replacement of existing classroom building with new building All Hallows Primary School Priory Road, Gedling Ref. No: 2025/0485
Conversion of existing stable block and barn into a domestic dwelling including a garage Barns At Borrowside Farm, Bonner Hill, Calverton Ref. No: 2023/0126
NPL First Division Midlands October 4, 2025 Report by Ben Marsh
The Millers made a couple of changes from that defeat as Lewis Durow returned at left back with Ollie Clark not involved. Niall Davie moved into a more advanced number 10 role. Chambers returned to lead the line in place of Liam Moran who had moved on.
In a relatively tentative start, understandably as both these sides were reeling from 4-0 midweek defeats, it was the visitors who showed early signs of threat, forcing a couple of throw-ins in advanced positions for which left back Murphy Culkin was employed to launch the ball into the Carlton box without too many alarm bells for the Millers.
The remnants of Storm Amy were still causing some problems, a howling wind roaring the length of the field against the Millers in this first period meant dealing with any delivery into the box wasn’t without its concern.
(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
Carlton did show some signs of life on the break and despite good link up play down the left between Durow and Lamin Manneh there wasn’t a chance at the end of it.
There was an early sight of goal for Culkin from a free kick on the 10 minute mark but the low strike didn’t trouble Felix Annan in the Carlton goal.
Gradually, Carlton grew into the game and they got to grips with the wind. In a lovely passing move down the right involving Shea Thompson-Harris, Niall Hylton and Chambers they fashioned a chance for Alex Howes but his strike from the edge of the box was snaffled by James Goff in the St Neots goal.
Rhys Thorpe, the visitors number nine was a constant worry for the Carlton defence. The frontman playing on the shoulder and challenging the offside trap but the makeshift back four were holding firm, well marshalled by Liam Bateman alongside Ewan Robson.
Just after thirty minutes on the board, the Millers hit the front. From a Carlton goal kick, Davie won possession in the centre circle and laid the ball back to Khyle Sargent who played a glorious first time ball to the inside left channel for Chambers to chase.
With centre back Charlie Bowen for company and still a way from goal, Chambers protected the ball as he advanced and waited for Goff to close the angle before aiming a solid left foot strike across the keeper and inside the far post.
(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)(PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
Undeterred, the visitors responded well and within a couple of minutes there was a real scramble in the Carlton box which luckily, for the home side, saw the ball eventually fall at the feet of Sargent who cleared.
As the game opened up, Davie was unlucky with a headed chance which went over after good work from Chambers and Manneh on the break. And it was on the break again down the left that Manneh caused more problems in behind Sam Willis at right back. The Millers wing man saw his excellent cross go straight though as support was late to arrive and the ball flashed across the face of goal.
The visitors did get the goal their response deserved in the closing minutes of the half as an up and under ball from Robbie Parker was initially cleared by Robson to the visitors’ right. Connor Furlong was quickly onto the clearance and advance down the wing. There was little pressure on him and he picked out an excellent late run by Michael Amaeshike who jumped above Bateman to score.
With just a couple of minutes left there could have been a school of thought to get to half time and regroup but Carlton restored their lead almost instantly. From a long throw in on the right the initial clearing header lacked distance and Robson kept the ball alive and nodded forward to Sargent who flicked on and Chambers was on hand in the six-yard box to volley past Goff who stood no chance.
Carlton began the second half as they ended the first. Within the opening minute Manneh was away from Willis down the Carlton left and the St Neots man was forced into conceding a free kick some thirty yards out. Davie delivered and Bateman was unlucky to see his effort sneak wide of the upright.
Chambers was leading the line superbly showing fantastic energy to occupy the centre backs whilst in possession. A succession of corners and throw ins were the reward and from one of these, Sargent again with the near post flick found Davie in the box but the skipper’s acrobatic effort went over. Manneh too showed good energy and once more beat his man, hit the byline and but for a well-timed foot in from Bowen, Durow would have had a tap in.
After the hour mark and after having played some of the game too close to their own goal, a Carlton clearance from Durow, aided now by the wind, saw Chambers running free. The striker won his header and ran onto the ball again but saw his shot saved by Goff for a corner which the Millers were unable to fashion anything more from.
St Neots started to grow into the game with twenty to play and Harvey Williams did well to create a chance for himself but saw his effort fly wide of the target. Always dangerous from set pieces, another Davie free kick found Sargent once more but again, Goff was on hand to keep the scoreline to 2-1.
Changes followed and Chambers and Hylton made way for Kieren Watson and Alex Troke respectively. It was Troke who was next to sting the gloves of Goff. A free kick from the inside left was goal bound were it not for the visitor’s orange clad stopper.
There was an increasing unease on the touchlines as the game approached added on time. St Neots were dangerous and swift on the break and Culkin linked up well with Parker but the cross was gathered by Annan. In the final throws of the game a Carlton clearance was collected by Parker once more who instinctively heaved the ball into the box. Thorpe, finally off the shoulder of Robson in the box aimed a header toward goal but was denied by a truly world class save from Annan, flying to his right and palming the ball away from danger. Carlton saw out the final minutes of added time to the delight of the crowd.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, L Bateman, E Robson, A Howes, L Manneh, K Sargent, A Chambers (K Watson 72), N Davie, N Hylton (A Troke 74). Unused Subs: N Saunders, H Goddard
