The application proposals are to demolish the existing buildings on the site and remove the existing vehicular accesses and construct a three-storey apartment block, a new access to Wollaton Avenue, 21 car parking spaces, a bin store and associated landscaping.
PICTURED: The Phoenix before the shutters went up in 2019 (PHOTO: Google)
A spokesman at the time told Gedling Eye: “As part of our on-going business, we do from time to time identify a pub that may no longer have a long-term future in our estate.
“After careful consideration, the decision has been made to sell the freehold of the Phoenix, Gedling.”
Will you be sad to see The Phoenix demolished? Let us know in the comments section below.
Scammers are targeting people in Gedling borough with fake ‘penalty charge’ emails which lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal information.
Action Fraud said the fake emails are purporting to be from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
The emails state the recipient has been issued a £25 penalty charge for “the use of vehicle on a road in the charging area which a charging scheme applies without payment of the appropriate charge”.
The links provided in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites phishing websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.
Action Fraud is urging people to report any suspicious emails on report@phishing.gov.uk
Speaking on Twitter, Action Fraud said: “Your bank or any other official organisation won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, call them directly.”
Staff and children at a school situated at the top of Burntstump Hill in Arnold are asking that former pupils share their memories and images.
The school was originally founded in 1902 by the Seely family and originally called Seely Church of England School.
The Seely family lived at Sherwood Lodge, now the police headquarters and legend has it, built the school after seeing children struggling through the snow to reach the nearest school in Arnold. The original school building is now a residential property next door to the modern school.
The school is now called Burntstump Seely C of E Academy.
Head Teacher Heather Gabb said, “We would love to hear from former pupils or staff of the school and our children are keen to know its history.
“We have so little to go on; just a story of why it was built and little more. The original school building is next door and still has the date 1902 over the door, but that is about the sum of our knowledge.
“We would love to hear from anyone who either attended or worked at the school, and it would be fantastic to show the children any images that might be available. We want our children to have a sense of the history of the school but we need the help of others to that and that’s why we are appealing to the people of Nottinghamshire to help.”
If you have any stories or images concerning the Seely C of E School, you can contact the school by email: office@burntstump.snmat.org or by post at Burntstump Seely C of E Academy, Burntstump Hill, Arnold Nottinghamshire, NG5 8PQ.
Covid-19 compliance checks at pubs, bars, restaurants and food and drink outlets in Gedling borough are increasing this weekend to further support business owners trading securely.
Environmental Health Officers from Gedling Borough Council are providing support to business owners to maintain their secure practices with extra visits to premises across the area, backed by Nottinghamshire Police.
The checks are building on the teams’ activity of recent weeks, helping owners and staff understand and apply the latest rule changes after Nottinghamshire’s move to being a ‘high’ risk area this week.
From socially distanced tables, table service and some outlets offering safe outdoor areas to accommodate rule of six, officers will offer advice and assistance to owners on how to maintain safe premises to maximise customer safety and encourage ‘Hands Face Space’ when not sat at a table.
Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “As we move into the first weekend of living at high alert level, it’s important that we all play our part to help stop the spread of infection.
INSPECTION PASSED: It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
“If you are planning on going out, please remember that you cannot mix indoors with another household unless it’s your support bubble and the rule of six applies outside.
“The majority of businesses are going to great lengths to help keep their customers, staff and visitors safe from COVID-19 and I’d like to thank them for their diligence. Their actions are supporting the work to safeguard local jobs, local people and protect the NHS and health services.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “This weekend of action will help the ongoing work we are doing to support our local businesses during the pandemic. We have already visited over 130 businesses across the borough in the last few weeks and the vast majority are doing everything they can to make sure their premises are safe for customers.
“This operation is being done to reinforce the importance of doing everything we can to try and get the number of cases down in our boroughs while keeping our businesses open. It is a real challenge for everyone but we are here to help our businesses and reassure our residents.”
Nottinghamshire Police will also have a presence in town and village centres to provide further reassurance to business owners and offer any advice around customers leaving premises safely at 10pm closing times.
Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Berry said: “We are fully behind the councils as they endeavour to carry out these spot checks on businesses and as police we will support them in this approach.
“We are very grateful to all those people and businesses who are complying with the rules, and I am very pleased to say the vast majority are. Where there are issues of the rules not being followed we will look to encourage compliance and only where this is not possible will we enforce.”
One business to pass an inspection with flying colours is It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield.
Environment inspectors from Gedling Borough Council visited this week to see if the pub was covid-secure – and the business was quickly given the thumbs up.
Owner Nicola Murphy said: “We’ve done our absolute best to keep our community safe, despite some criticism for being too strict by adhering to all the regulations.
“Now that these new restrictions have come in, and there was alot of uncertainty about how these new “social bubble” allowances work it was so reassuring to have a visit from the gedling borough council who not only took the time to make sure everything was correct but also gave us the confidence that we were right in what we were doing. The last thing any pub needs right now is heavy fines & the threat of closure for not doing things safely so it meant alot for us all at its inn the bank that we were given the thumbs up!
Taxi drivers were stopped by Police to check that their vehicles were safe and that their licences were up to date and on display. In total, 25 drivers were stopped and the majority of vehicles and drivers were fully compliant with the rules and regulations. Four drivers were issued advisory notices and warnings for failing to have identity badges on display and minor cosmetic bodywork damage. One driver’s licence was temporarily suspended due to having rear tyres that were under the legal limit for tread depth.
The checks ensured that vehicles met the council’s standards and legal requirements for calibrated taxi meters for hackney carriages, that plates and licences were displayed correctly, that tyres were correct and safe and that all safety equipment such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, no smoking signs and spare vehicle bulbs were in the vehicle.
Drivers were also checked to ensure they had the appropriate documentation with them including their taxi driver’s licence and valid insurance.
The operation is part of a month long campaign by Gedling Borough Council in and around the Netherfield area to tackle anti-social behaviour, littering, and other crime. The council is working closely with the Police and other authorities, as well as increasing engagement with local communities.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “As the local licensing authority we have a responsibility to ensure the drivers and vehicles we issue licenses to are fit and proper and it is very welcoming news to see that our drivers are following the rules and are providing safe cars and are displaying their licences correctly. I would like to thank Nottinghamshire Police and our neighbouring authorities for their partnership efforts on this operation as well as the drivers for their co-operation and understanding.”
Dozens of youngsters at a Gedling school have been asked to self-isolate after a confirmed case of Covid-19.
Pupils in Year 3 at Stanhope Primary School on Keyworth Road have been told to self-isolate at home for 14 days following a positive Covid test.
An email to parents says: “Unfortunately we have had a positive case of Covid-19 in school.
“Children from Y3 MUST self-isolate from 14 days from today (October 16). If they display ANY symptoms they MUST get tested.
“Please do not send your child into school today.”
Amanda Richards, Head teacher at Stanhope Primary School, said: “We are strictly following all national government public health guidance. We will continue to do so, making sure that appropriate measures and processes are always in place, to stop the virus from spreading.
“We have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 this week, and have sent a bubble home, in line with government guidelines. I look forward to welcoming them back after half term. We will continue to work with Public Health England to ensure the safety of our children, staff, and their families.
Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “If your child develops COVID-19 symptoms, keep them home from school and get a test. Let your school know the test results as soon as you get them. “Everyone in the household should stay at home while a person with symptoms is tested, and afterwards, in line with NHS self-isolation guidance, if the test result is positive.
“From time to time over the coming months, a headteacher may need to send home a group of pupils if there has been confirmation of a case of COVID-19. By isolating for 14 days in accordance with the guidance, the pupils will be helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
“The school will let you know if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 and your child needs to be isolated. Schools will provide learning for children that need to stay at home.
“If you have children at different schools or in different bubbles, and one of your children is in a group which has been sent home to isolate, there is no need for other household members to stay at home, unless your child develops symptoms.”
Landlords have accused Gedling Borough Council of being ‘short sighted’ for going ahead with plans to implement a scheme for private rented housing during the coronavirus crisis.
Gedling Borough Council this week announced it has launched a consultation to see if a selective licensing scheme for private landlords is needed in wider areas after a successful trial in Netherfield
The scheme will make it mandatory for landlords to have licences for each of their private rented properties.
It was successfully piloted in Netherfield and the consultation is asking for views to expand it to Colwick, Carlton Hill, Daybrook and Newstead Village.
The licence requires that landlords meet a minimum standard of accommodation for residents.
But the move has been slammed by EMPO – a not-for-profit Landlords Association that represents the need of Residential Landlords across the East Midlands.
Giles Inman, EMPO’s Business Development Manager, said: “It is disappointing at a time of national crisis that Gedling Borough Council has commenced a 12-week landlord licensing consultation to license family homes in Carlton Hill, Colwick, Daybrook and Newstead Village as from June 2021
“This consultation is contrary to MHCLG guidance which asked local authorities to suspend this kind of activity until the crisis was over. How Gedling Borough Council can practically prepare for and produce such a scheme with their staff out of the office is baffling.
CRITICAL: EPSO’s Giles Inman
Local agent and EMPO member, David James also condemned the move.
He said: “At a time when the private rental sector is seeing massive challenges, it is short-sighted of the council to perceive selective licensing as having a positive impact in any capacity.
“In Netherfield, we have encountered landlords disposing of good quality housing stock over the last 2 years as a direct effect of selective licensing. When the council ran the initial consultation on licensing the Netherfield ward, they stated they had no desire to extend the scheme and they had targeted Netherfield as it met all the deprivation triggers that would lead a local authority to consider a selective licensing scheme.
“We are struggling to see how they can use the same criteria in areas such as Carlton Hill. Furthermore, we still have client money sat in our client’s account in relation to licensing applications submitted in 2018. How can they justify extending this scheme when they haven’t even processed the 600-odd applications from the last two years.”
Another local agent and EMPO member, Woo Properties said “When Gedling first introduced their scheme, we were pleased to see that they concentrated on just one small area of problem. If they expand the area in the current climate, then that makes them no different to Nottingham City Council. i.e. no consideration for landlords providing a much-needed service.
“At a time when we have noticed investors beginning to hold back from putting more money into BTLs, this will be another reason for them not to invest in much needed rented housing in these proposed areas.”
Gedling Borough Council has defended the decision.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke, said: “We welcome the views of property agents, landlords and landlord associations such as EMPO which is why we have opened a consultation and we hope they will take part in the consultation and attend the landlord specific meetings we are organising as part of the consultation.
We have seen the benefits the scheme has had in Netherfield and while we appreciate that the landlord associations are focusing on the cost to their clients, we have seen that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the costs which are less than those in the Nottingham City scheme.
This scheme is about improving the living conditions in areas identified as in most need of improvement. If the scheme was to be approved, it would not begin until, at the very earliest, summer 2021.
We want to create safer communities for our residents and reduce hardship and inequality and this scheme would help contribute towards that ambition.”
Gedling MP Tom Randall has revealed why he voted against an amendment to an Agriculture Bill – which critics are saying would have protected food standards in the UK following Brexit.
The Government bill came back before MPs on Monday with amendments which had been made by the House of Lords.
A condition was included that was designed to ensure that food imported into the UK would also have to meet the standards applied to food produced in the UK following Brexit.
However the amendment was voted down with Gedling MP Tom Randall being one of the Conservative MPs voting against it.
Many have now voiced their concerns saying that the move will lead to poor standard food coming into the UK and also affect the livelihoods of farmers in the UK who have to meet the high standards in place.
Critics are saying that this could lead to lower quality meat products coming into the UK – such as chlorinated chicken – including those which are currently not allowed due to standards set by the EU.
Farmers in the UK are concerned that lower standards will lead to poor standard food coming into the country
But Mr Randall has responded saying that the necessary safeguards will still be in place to ensure food quality.
He told Gedling Eye: “The manifesto I stood on was clear that in all trade negotiations, our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards will not be compromised. The Government will stand firm in trade negotiations to ensure any deals live up to the values of our farmers and consumers.”
“I am pleased that all food coming into this country will be required to meet existing import requirements. The EU Withdrawal Act transfers all existing EU food safety provisions, including existing import requirements, onto the UK statute book. These import standards include a ban on using artificial growth hormones in domestic and imported products and set out that no products, other than potable water, are approved to decontaminate poultry carcasses. Any changes to existing food safety legislation would require new legislation to be brought before Parliament.
The overwhelming weight of political opinion is against us lowering our standards. We need to keep the same high standards on food and agriculture imports as we had in the EU. And that is exactly what the Government is doing.”
Four council parks across Gedling borough have won the prestigious awards which recognise the best parks and green spaces across the country.
Gedling Country Park, Arnot Hill Park, Burton Road Jubilee Park and for the first time, Bestwood Country Park joined a record number of parks and green spaces collecting a Green Flag Award.
Arnot Hill Park retains the award for the 14th consecutive year, Gedling Country Park for the 5th year in a row, Burton Road Jubilee received the award for the sixth time and Bestwood Country Park has received the award for the first time since the management of the park was taken over by Gedling Borough Council.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.
The four parks in Gedling Borough join over 2,000 sites across the country in collecting the award for 2020.
PICTURED: Arnot Hill Park
Councillor Peter Barnes, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “We take enormous pride in our green spaces, parks and play areas and we know these are incredibly important for our residents and communities.
“A key priority for us is to enhance these areas, and to get recognition with four Green Flag Awards this year just goes to show that all our hard work is paying off. I’d like to thank our staff for doing such a fantastic job taking care and managing our parks, and to our residents for supporting us and using these great assets that we are able to enjoy all across our borough.”
Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council said; “It’s fantastic news that so many of our county’s parks and green spaces have been awarded a Green Flag! The accolade is testament to the hard work the teams and volunteer groups who look after these special places put in.
“The County Council and Gedling Borough Council own Bestwood Country Park. The park houses the Winding Engine House which is a wonderful example of the county’s industrial heritage, the Green Flag status is now another reason to explore the 650 acres of beautiful landscape and wildlife.”
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said; “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.
“It is testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Gedling Borough Council has achieved the highest international standards for four of their parks, demanded by the Green Flag Award.”
A Gedling borough school has closed after staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Netherfield Primary School will now close for two days after members of the school staff tested positive for the virus.
A letter to parents on Wednesday (October 14) said the decision to close was taken as ‘a precautionary measure’.
Sent by Jon Crone, headmaster of Netherfield Primary School, he said: “On Wednesday afternoon, (14th October) we were informed that two members of the Trust’s workforce had tested positive for Covid-19.
“Due to their role, these colleagues have identified a significant number of our teaching staff as close contacts.
The colleagues were not in direct contact with children. However, after consultation with the Department for Education Covid-19 helpline, we have taken the difficult decision to shut the school on Thursday 15th October and Friday 16th October.
The headmaster added: “We regret the concern and inconvenience that this will cause. The decision has not been taken easily, rather it is a pre-cautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both children and staff at Netherfield Primary. This must be our overriding priority.”
