RAF Newton housing plan gets council support
Plans to build 500 new homes on a former RAF site have been backed by a Nottinghamshire council.
Outline plans to build on the RAF Newton site, near Bingham, have been approved by committee members at Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Bingham residents previously expressed concerns any further development would ruin the character of their town and increase traffic in the area.
The application will now be passed on to the government for a final decision.
The development, which covers about 177 acres of land, includes proposals for 500 homes, 50 office units, a community centre, recreation land and a new primary school.
Paul Randle, deputy chief executive at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: "Due to the scale and location of the site within the greenbelt, the application must now be referred to the secretary of state."
Mr Randle said a decision should be expected by mid-January. However, if there are no objections, then the council can decide the planning application itself.
The development is part of Rushcliffe Borough Council's plans to build 9,400 homes in Ruddington, Keyworth, Radcliffe-on-Trent and East Leake by 2026.
Land near Clifton, Edwalton and Bingham has also been earmarked for housing developments.
Earlier this month the borough council was criticised by the Planning Inspectorate for not building enough homes.
A report by the Inspectorate said the council's figure was "substantially fewer" than the 13,400 homes outlined by the East Midlands Regional Plan.