Ikea site expansion put on hold

Plans to expand a Nottinghamshire industrial park have been withdrawn by the developers just hours before a planning meeting.

Proposals for the Giltbrook park, home to Ikea and Next, included more shops and offices on the site near the M1.

A public meeting last month heard from residents concerned about a potential increase in traffic and claims that there had been a lack of consultation.

Developers have so far offered to put better traffic controls in place.

We are not seeking to steamroller anyone Peter Waldron, RBS Planning

The previous plans had included widening the approach on Nottingham Road and introducing a traffic light junction to ease traffic flow.

The scheme also included 900 new parking spaces to be built to cover both existing and new developments.

RPS Planning spokesman Peter Waldren said: "The applicant is still fully committed to the development at this site.

"We need time to address concerns and make sure all parties are happy - we are not seeking to steamroller anyone."

Opponents say local residents want the developers to modify the plans for the retail park.

"I think it needs to be much smaller - we do not need a massive retail park in the area," Susan McEntee of the Greasley and District Civic Society said.

"We like our small towns and they would be destroyed by a huge development."

Highways Agency officials have said they have some concerns about the impact of the development on Junction 26 of the M1.

A new application is expected from the developers in the next few months.