Latest news with #GedlingBoroughCouncil
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Views sought on theatre and leisure centre project in Arnold
People are being asked to comment on potential plans to build a new leisure centre, library and theatre in Borough Council is looking to build the new facility under its "Ambition Arnold" project north of the town project, which also includes plans to enhance the public spaces around the market and high street area, commenced in was when the council approved a budget of £200,000 to support the development of a town centre masterplan. An initial consultation was held last summer, when 650 residents and stakeholders gave feedback on the masterplan, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) key features of the overall plan include upgrading leisure, cultural and retail offerings to attract more visitors while enhancing public spaces, shopfronts, and access to green also includes developing a car parking strategy and safeguarding public transport masterplan was first approved by the council's cabinet in December 2024, and work is under way to develop and complete a viable business case for the north of Arnold town final masterplan document will be presented to the council's cabinet in the autumn, following the current public consultation - on the new arts centre, leisure centre and library facilities - will run until June 30.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anger over frequent closure of vandalised toilets
Residents say it is "disgusting" that the last remaining toilets in a town in Nottinghamshire are often closed. The block at King George V Recreation Ground recently became the only toilet provision in Arnold after the closure of the Wood Street toilets because of "lewd behaviour". Tara Blencowe, 51, uses the park and said there was a recent situation where an elderly man needed to be helped because the toilets were locked. Councillor David Ellis, portfolio holder for public protection on Gedling Borough Council, said the facility was frequently vandalised to an "unusable and unsafe" condition which necessitates its closure for repairs. Ms Blencowe, who brings her grandson to the park, said: "It's totally put me off coming because there's no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities that I can access." She visited the park on Monday and said she had to walk half-a-mile (800m) to use a supermarket toilet instead, which she said would be problematic in emergency situations. "People will be put off visiting unless [the council] say 'yes we are going to open these toilets' and stick to their word," she said. Denise, 53, brings her great nieces to the park after school. She says being forced to pay to use the toilet at nearby coffee shops makes her visits "expensive". "I think [the closures are] a bit heavy-handed because it's caused by a minority," she added. "I know they have had problems here but I think it's unfair to the rest of the people." Her eight-year-old great-niece Kairah says it makes her feel "upset" when the toilet is closed. "Last time we went there [when it was open] it was filled with drink bottles and it didn't flush," she said. Ellis acknowledged that people "aren't getting their money's worth" because of the frequent closures. He said the toilet and sink had been designed to resist damage, however, vandals were instead blocking them with paper and starting fires inside the toilet bowl. Regarding its status as the last public toilet in the town, he said the council would fight to keep it open despite the rise in maintenance costs. "The council does as best as it can to try and keep them clean, tidy, and open, but sometimes it's an uphill battle," he said. "We know young people want to get out and do things, but vandalising a public toilet causes lots of inconvenience to everybody." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. 'Lewd behaviour' sees toilet block closed Gedling Borough Council
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anger over frequent closure of vandalised toilets
Residents say it is "disgusting" that the last remaining toilets in a town in Nottinghamshire are often closed. The block at King George V Recreation Ground recently became the only toilet provision in Arnold after the closure of the Wood Street toilets because of "lewd behaviour". Tara Blencowe, 51, uses the park and said there was a recent situation where an elderly man needed to be helped because the toilets were locked. Councillor David Ellis, portfolio holder for public protection on Gedling Borough Council, said the facility was frequently vandalised to an "unusable and unsafe" condition which necessitates its closure for repairs. Ms Blencowe, who brings her grandson to the park, said: "It's totally put me off coming because there's no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities that I can access." She visited the park on Monday and said she had to walk half-a-mile (800m) to use a supermarket toilet instead, which she said would be problematic in emergency situations. "People will be put off visiting unless [the council] say 'yes we are going to open these toilets' and stick to their word," she said. Denise, 53, brings her great nieces to the park after school. She says being forced to pay to use the toilet at nearby coffee shops makes her visits "expensive". "I think [the closures are] a bit heavy-handed because it's caused by a minority," she added. "I know they have had problems here but I think it's unfair to the rest of the people." Her eight-year-old great-niece Kairah says it makes her feel "upset" when the toilet is closed. "Last time we went there [when it was open] it was filled with drink bottles and it didn't flush," she said. Ellis acknowledged that people "aren't getting their money's worth" because of the frequent closures. He said the toilet and sink had been designed to resist damage, however, vandals were instead blocking them with paper and starting fires inside the toilet bowl. Regarding its status as the last public toilet in the town, he said the council would fight to keep it open despite the rise in maintenance costs. "The council does as best as it can to try and keep them clean, tidy, and open, but sometimes it's an uphill battle," he said. "We know young people want to get out and do things, but vandalising a public toilet causes lots of inconvenience to everybody." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. 'Lewd behaviour' sees toilet block closed Gedling Borough Council
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Anger' as Arnold's last public toilets often closed
Residents say it is "disgusting" that the last remaining toilets in a town in Nottinghamshire are often block at King George V Recreation Ground recently became the only toilet provision in Arnold after the closure of the Wood Street toilets because of "lewd behaviour".Tara Blencowe, 51, uses the park and said there was a recent situation where an elderly man needed to be helped because the toilets were David Ellis, portfolio holder for public protection on Gedling Borough Council, said the facility was frequently vandalised to an "unusable and unsafe" condition which necessitates its closure for repairs. Ms Blencowe, who brings her grandson to the park, said: "It's totally put me off coming because there's no toilet facilities or baby changing facilities that I can access."She visited the park on Monday and said she had to walk half-a-mile (800m) to use a supermarket toilet instead, which she said would be problematic in emergency situations."People will be put off visiting unless [the council] say 'yes we are going to open these toilets' and stick to their word," she said. Denise, 53, brings her great nieces to the park after school. She says being forced to pay to use the toilet at nearby coffee shops makes her visits "expensive"."I think [the closures are] a bit heavy-handed because it's caused by a minority," she added."I know they have had problems here but I think it's unfair to the rest of the people."Her eight-year-old great-niece Kairah says it makes her feel "upset" when the toilet is closed."Last time we went there [when it was open] it was filled with drink bottles and it didn't flush," she said. Ellis acknowledged that people "aren't getting their money's worth" because of the frequent said the toilet and sink had been designed to resist damage, however, vandals were instead blocking them with paper and starting fires inside the toilet its status as the last public toilet in the town, he said the council would fight to keep it open despite the rise in maintenance costs."The council does as best as it can to try and keep them clean, tidy, and open, but sometimes it's an uphill battle," he said."We know young people want to get out and do things, but vandalising a public toilet causes lots of inconvenience to everybody."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
'Lewd behaviour' sees toilet block closed
Public toilets in a Nottinghamshire town centre are to close on the recommendation of the police following incidents of "lewd and anti-social behaviour". The Wood Street toilets in Arnold have been run by Gedling Borough Council since the 1980s. However, the authority says incidents related to anti-social behaviour and vandalism have been increasing over the past few years. A council spokesman said the toilets would be closing "imminently", with signs due to go up soon. A council report published on Friday said: "Not only are there budget constraints but considering the nature of the anti-social behaviour incidents it is not deemed safe to keep these facilities open. "Over recent months there have been issues with drug use, intimidation and, or significant vandalism to fixtures and fittings, as well as graffiti. "The most recent and serious incident resulted in a recommendation from Nottinghamshire Police to close the public conveniences due to the lewd activities being carried out at the site which appear to be attracting people from outside the borough for no other reason. "In order to protect the public from such anti-social behaviours it is therefore recommended, in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police's recommendation that the public conveniences at Wood Street are closed permanently." The Labour-led authority says it recently opened new public toilets at King George V Recreation Ground. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the facilities at the park include a specialist bathroom and two accessible unisex toilets, both of which include baby changing facilities. The authority considered an access control system, as well as security at Wood Streets toilet, however it said the cost would be too significant. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Gedling Borough Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
