Council action on fly-tipping has increased hugely in Rushcliffe since the beginning of 2021 with nearly 100 fixed penalty notices being issued to those found blighting local spots with domestic or commercial waste prompting the lowest recorded cases in four years. Instances of fly-tipping have so far this year reduced by over 30% coinciding with the Council commencing a partnership with Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) to undertake increased enviro crime enforcement.

This tougher stance has resulted in 81 fixed penalty notices at £400 each being issued since January to those found to have deposited waste illegally and a further nine fines for householders or businesses handing over to non-registered carriers who have subsequently dumped items. The message is clear there is a very real chance that any person flouting the rules can be found and fined or prosecuted.

Residents and businesses are reminded to check that any company or individual they employ to dispose of their waste holds the relevant Trade Waste Carriers’ licence to avoid their unwanted goods contributing to fly-tips or they could be fined themselves. This can be completed by them showing the relevant licence in person and checking it with the Environment Agency’s listings of registered businesses.

The Council’s environmental enforcement operation operates across the Borough seven days a week actively investigating potential breaches and its partner Streetwise has also continued its work to quickly clear fly-tips found to be blighting the Borough. Bins and signage from the Council also now instruct motorists to ‘bin it, don’t dump it’ at lay-bys in the area, backing up continued surveillance on trade waste and household items being dumped on roads and verges and monitoring sites to catch those in the act. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “The message and statistics are clear we will not tolerate fly-tipping anywhere in Rushcliffe. “We will continue to take strong action against anyone who does not dispose of their waste responsibly or householders and businesses who do not check who they employ to take their waste away. There are local facilities to dispose of waste and unwanted items easily.

“Fly-tippers are warned we are watching you. We are determined to keep investigating each fly-tip for evidence to actively pursue offenders. We will not hesitate to prosecute and will use our powers to seize and destroy any vehicles involved. “Residents, please always check that anyone you use to take items away from your home is a registered waste carrier by requesting to view the appropriate Environment Agency licence or you too could face a fine.
“Please be our extra eyes and ears and report any suspicious fly-tipping activity at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk.”

Newark Castle is feeling the festive spirit this Christmas with special displays of lights and music as well as a stunning decorated tree in the bandstand. Organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council, the festive illuminations will transform Newark’s historic heart into a sparkling spectacle which all the family can enjoy from Friday 10th to Thursday 23rd December while the 10ft tree will take pride of place from Wednesday 1st.

A special winter wonderland event will form the centre of the celebrations on Sunday 12th December, coinciding with the Newark Christmas Lights Market. Visitors will be able to make unforgettable memories and cherish them with ample photo opportunities, enjoying roaming musicians and colourful costumed characters from 10.30am to 4pm while children’s faces are sure to light up as they meet some of Santa’s reindeer, real and up close, from 10.30am to 2.30pm!

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “A stroll around these beautiful displays will be the perfect way to unwind after a day of Christmas shopping in Newark’s fabulous retailers and before enjoying a drink or meal in our brilliant array of eateries. Newark Castle is treasured by so many of our residents so it’s wonderful to see it taking its place in the town’s fantastic festive programme.”

Carys Coulton-Jones, Business Manager for Heritage and Culture at the Council, said: “While we have some limitations in place this year due to the heras fencing in place protecting the curtain wall until repairs can be carried out, we are excited to be able to welcome visitors into the grounds to enjoy these displays this Christmas and look forward to making it a festive destination for residents in years to come.”

Throughout their run, the Christmas at the Castle lights displays will run from 4pm to 8pm with gates remaining open until this time. The gatehouse will also be lit until 10pm for those passing by outside the Castle to enjoy. For more information and updates about extra entertainment for the Winter Wonderland event on the 12th, make sure to follow Newark Castle on Facebook.

The AMP has been unveiled as the name for the new multi-million pound Arnold Market Place development.
The name is an acronym of the famous Arnold Market Place but it can also mean amplification and amphitheatre, as it will be a space used for events and entertainment. The new name will be officially unveiled tomorrow on new hoardings outside the development by Councillors and partners involved in the project.

The concept was unveiled following consultation with local residents and businesses and after looking at several options, The AMP stood out as the obvious choice for this exciting project. The idea behind the name is to create something that we associate with a modern development that helps our community and local economy thrive. The colour scheme and design were created to instil a feeling of community spirit and togetherness. It’s also an idea that reflects a forward thinking project with a bold, modern identity.

The announcement of the new name coincides with a launch of a new website www.the-amp.co.uk where residents can find out about all the latest news about the development. There is also details about how businesses can find out more information about the units and how they can enquire about letting them.

The site is being constructed by developers G F Tomlinso, the company, who previously built the council’s iconic Café 1899 at Gedling Country Park. Works are well underway with the installation of the first floor, elevator shafts and stairways as well as the installation of the exterior steel works.

The project means that Arnold Town Centre will receive the most significant investment it has ever had with up to £4 million allocated to the project as part of the council’s plan to revitalise the centre and create a new space that will help boost visitors to the town centre and support local businesses. A new public space will be created as a central focal point for The AMP. The new building will provide seven small outlets for local independent businesses with flexible space above, which could be used for a variety of commercial options. Funding for this project is coming from the council’s capital programme budget, boosted by a successful bid for £1.25 million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund that supports town centre improvements.

The project will create around 40 new jobs through business employment and through the construction of the new buildings. The building is expected to open in spring 2022. Craig Stopper, Framework Construction Manager at G F Tomlinson, said:

“We are delighted to see the new name be unveiled to the public as we continue to make great progress.
The project was secured via the Scape Regional Construction framework back in 2018 and we are thrilled to have already begun the next phase of the build, which includes installing key elements of the interior, such as stairways and elevators shafts. The AMP will provide Arnold with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will serve the community and many businesses for years to come. The website will also be a great addition in allowing the local community to access regular updates on the project as it takes shape.”

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We’re very pleased to reveal the name for this exciting project for Arnold Town Centre and residents of Gedling Borough. The AMP will attract up and coming independent businesses to our town while ensuring that the history of the market place is not forgotten. I would like to thank all of the local residents and businesses for their contributions during the consultation on the proposals for the new name.”

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “We are now at a critical moment for the project where we are now inviting businesses to come forward who are interested in working in this fantastic building and the launch of the new website will help us bring in new ventures to the area. As you can see, The AMP name is bold, innovative and it is a great development that will help revitalise the town centre and create a more vibrant economy when it opens in spring 2022.”

Residents and interested parties are invited to have their say on plans for the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station site and a Local Development Order (LDO) that could give the green light to new industry and business projects and the potential of thousands of permanent highly-skilled jobs. The power station, owned by international energy company Uniper, will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation. Rushcliffe Borough Council want to hear views at rushcliffe.ratcliffeLDO.com.

If taken forward, the LDO would grant planning permission for a range of modern industrial uses on the redeveloped site, including advanced manufacturing, low-carbon energy production, battery production, energy storage, logistics, and research and development.

A masterplan for the site is currently being prepared to support the redevelopment, which will guide growth and development over the coming years including the proposals linked to the previously announced East Midlands Freeport and the Development Corporation that could create further jobs and significant investment.

The emerging vision for the site sets out the guiding principles by which the development would be brought forward, and seeks to deliver:
• A zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands
• Highly skilled jobs
• Modern industry and business uses, served by on-site sustainable energy generation and storage
• Advanced manufacturing, for example to produce electric car batteries
• A hub for research, development, and innovation, through links with universities, business support organisations and established industry.

Anyone can submit their views until Monday January 10, 2022 online. Letters inviting people in the local vicinity to attend these events and provide feedback have now been distributed. Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: “Please have your say on the future of this hugely important strategic and iconic site that could shape this part of Rushcliffe and the East Midlands and attract significant investment in the region for decades to come.

“The power station will close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation.

“Many power station sites often remain vacant for years after they have closed and the Council is therefore taking this proactive approach to help secure the long-term future of the site after its closure.
“On the back of the positive news on HS2 at the adjacent East Midlands Parkway earlier this month, it’s an exciting time for all partners who are shaping the future of the site and we are preparing an LDO in order to help deliver a major part of its future.”