Hello, 

Firstly, we are so grateful to everyone that has been supporting us – 2500 + signatures is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to support us. Let's keep the momentum going and try to reach 3000 signatures!

We thought we would add an update of where we are just over 5 weeks on from GBC Planning Committee Meeting.  

We were, to say the least, overjoyed at the Committee proposing a deferral so that we could arrange to meet with the Planning operatives face to face and discuss a way forward to an amicable conclusion.  

However, here we are no further forward .. apart from Planning stating that as the 2 businesses’ operating from the site can’t remove all the storage containers and paraphernalia – their words not ours – that are required to operate the events, their decision remains to send the application back to the Committee with the recommendation for a refusal. 

Their opinions, which are fuelling the application, haven't changed nor has their lack of desire to reach a compromise. We can’t operate a safe and secure business without the required storage and equipment – for example, being able to operate the CCTV, hold H&S records and run the tills. Loss of anymore storage would certainly close the businesses which is what seems to be a necessity for the 2 GBC Planning Operatives.

Disappointment doesn’t cover how we have been feeling for the past few weeks. We have really, really done everything we have been asked. Consented to permanently remove containers needed for storage; wind turbines; Laser Tag arena equipment; removing the car park area plus other items GBC have brought to the table - their list is never ending. We feel that there has been no open discussion whatsoever from Planning to help find a positive way forward. It is frustrating that we have never been given straight forward answers to any questions. 

We realise that it isn’t a problem with running businesses on the Greenbelt but is a very definite personal dislike of us, the business owners. Section 38 does not seem to be recognised by this Council. 

A lot of our neighbours seem to have fared a lot better with the Planning process than we have i.e., Arnold Football Club have been granted numerous containers, clubhouse, parking and tarmac roads. Ramsdale Golf Course the same, Auto Park has approx. 150 containers used for rental. The list goes on. The Head of Planning states there is no precedence, we beg to differ this statement - there certainly seems to be! 

It has been asked by some if the infrastructure of the businesses we have built may be suitable for use in the Gedling Country Park, which is of course owned by GBC?  I suppose we can only wait and see.

The application, No: 2022/1316 has been updated on the Portal. If you would care to comment on anything to do with the application, you can send your observations for consideration to Bev.Pearson@gedling.gov.uk  Any letters / emails of support, preferably within the next few days, for what we have already agreed to change would be very much appreciated. 

We will post an update when we have the Planning Committee Meeting date but, in the meantime, thank you again for your support. Let's keep the petition moving – it has given us so much hope and encouragement over the past few months.