A dispute regarding a newly constructed boundary wall has emerged among residents on a Nottinghamshire estate, specifically in Mornington Crescent, Nuthall. The wall, erected by homeowner Jonathan Lewis during home extension works earlier in the year, has been met with considerable backlash from neighbours who have expressed their discontent.
Described by some residents as a "monstrosity," the 6ft wall has sparked complaints about its impact on the aesthetics and atmosphere of the area. Anthony Wilson, a local resident and veteran, has been vocal about the issue, asserting that the structure was built higher and closer to the public footpath than initially proposed. “What has happened is an absolute travesty,” Wilson stated, adding that the approval of the wall should never have been granted. He claimed that "fifteen people objected to the wall but not a single one was contacted" regarding the decision, suggesting a lack of community engagement in the planning process.
Wilson, who lives next to the property, lamented that the wall has "devastated the entrance to the estate," changing the character of the neighbourhood into one resembling "some sort of prison". Another resident, Tony Pinkstone, 69, shared similar sentiments, stating, “It’s completely destroyed the street scene," and characterised the wall as having a negative impact on property values due to its harsh presentation.
However, Jonathan Lewis defended the construction of the wall, calling the complaints a "nonsense" and asserting that all necessary permissions were obtained from Broxtowe Borough Council. He remarked, “Nobody has come to me and said anything. They can come here. We have followed the rules to the absolute letter.” Lewis also indicated that the wall was aesthetically pleasing and pointed out that similar walls exist throughout the estate, suggesting that his construction was not unusual for the area.
In response to the community's protests, a spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council clarified that the wall was built in accordance with the approved planning application. The spokesperson noted that the application had considered all relevant comments from residents and emphasised that any legal issues or covenants associated with the property were not relevant to the planning decision. They also mentioned that the wall's position had been adjusted slightly during its construction, which received subsequent approval as a non-material amendment.
In another part of Nottingham, a different issue has arisen involving local taxi licensing. It has been observed that a notable number of Uber drivers in Nottingham are licensed by the City of Wolverhampton Council, located approximately 60 miles away. The disparity in licensing fees is cited as a significant factor behind this trend. Nottingham City Council charges £148 for a one-year licence, while Wolverhampton offers a fee of £49. Additional costs associated with obtaining a licence in Nottingham, including a driving test and medical check-up, amount to about £200, whereas fees in Wolverhampton remain substantially lower.
The City of Wolverhampton Council currently licences 701 drivers who reside in Nottingham, although Nottingham City Council did not disclose how many Nottingham residents hold licenses with their authority due to confidentiality rules.
Nottingham’s taxi drivers have voiced concern over the influx of drivers from Wolverhampton, claiming it adversely affects their business. Asif Maqsood, spokesperson for the Nottingham Taxi Owners' and Drivers' Association, expressed frustration over the situation, asserting that some Wolverhampton-licensed drivers lack adequate knowledge of local driving conditions. He stated, “We lost our business completely to these Wolverhampton drivers,” further commenting on parking issues caused by inexperience among these drivers.
In response to the escalating situation, Nottingham City Council has indicated that legal provisions allow drivers to apply for taxi licences from any authority in the UK. These laws were modified under the Deregulation Act 2015, which permits private hire operators to subcontract bookings irrespective of their licensing authority. Meanwhile, the council is reportedly working to encourage drivers residing in Nottingham to obtain licences locally, though full data on resultant applications is not available.
Source: Noah Wire Services