Hundreds of new homes could be built on the site of the former Padstow School and Ridgeway playing field at Eastglade Road in the Bestwood area of the city.
Nottingham City Council has appointed the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, Countryside, to build over 350 homes, 108 of which will be new council homes for affordable rent, subject to planning permission. Once built, the council homes will be owned by Nottingham City Council and managed on the Council’s behalf by Nottingham City Homes. The remaining new homes – around 250 – will be retained by Countryside for private sale. Most of the homes will be family housing.
A significant amount of open space will be preserved, including the landmark poplars trees at the centre of the former Padstow school site, where a new play area will be made. New footpaths and cycle routes will provide safe access to local amenities, such as the nature reserve at Sunrise Hill, and connect to other parts of the neighbourhood.
Site of new homes in Bestwood 
Landmark poplars trees which will be preserved as part of the new development
Cllr Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for planning and Housing at Nottingham City Council said, “There has been a long-standing ambition to create new homes on these sites at Padstow and Ridgeway.
“By providing new, good quality homes to rent and buy, this development will help towards Nottingham’s housing shortage, and the council’s commitment to build or buy 1,000 new council or social homes for rent.
“Having a mix of housing of affordable homes for rent and private sale, will provide those people who have grown up or live in Bestwood, with a greater choice in the type of housing on offer. This will help those who wish to stay in the area to raise their families to do so, as well as attracting new households into the neighbourhood”.
Glyn Mabey, Managing Director, Partnerships East Midlands, Countryside, commented: “Given our strong commitment to placemaking and regeneration, it gives us great pride to be leading on the delivery of Nottingham City Council’s vision for Bestwood and to be working in partnership to bring a diverse range of family homes to the area.
“Our commitment to creating communities extends beyond housing; we work with our partners to understand the environment in which we build to ensure our work enhances the local area. The new Bestwood development will include open space for the new neighbourhood, a new play area and we will retain the poplar trees currently on site as well as planting mature trees to enhance the streetscape. Subject to planning approval, we look forward to commencing on site next year.”
Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at Nottingham City Homes, said: “It is great to see that 108 new council homes could be coming to Bestwood as part of this major development. There is a high demand for affordable council homes to rent in this area and we know that Nottingham residents on the waiting list would welcome the chance to bid for these new homes if the development is given the go ahead.”
Local residents will have an opportunity to get involved and comment on the developments through the planning process. Countryside will now look to submit a planning application in the autumn. If the planning application is approved, Countryside aim to begin work early in 2022.