A NEW community could be created on a former Notts RAF base after councillors approved the plans.
Outline plans for up to 500 homes, a new primary school, and 50 other buildings at the old RAF Newton site have been given the go-ahead.
The proposal by developers Newton Nottingham also includes more than five hectares of land for businesses, up to 1,000 square metres of community space, a new cycle track and public open spaces.
Five existing hangars on the site will also be retained for employment use.
Rushcliffe Borough Council's Development Control committee unanimously agreed to grant outline planning permission to the scheme .
But progress depends on the application not being called in by Government, as it involves building on green-belt land.
Planning officers said development could be justified because it would help achieve housing targets and have a limited impact on green belt.
Council leader, Councillor Neil Clarke, who is also a councillor for Trent ward, which covers Newton, said: "The applicants and local community have worked together, discussed any differences, and have come to an agreement that hopefully is the best compromise available.
"Whilst there are some tensions and disagreements I sincerely hope they can be ironed out."
Fellow Trent ward councillor Jean Smith stressed the importance of green land remaining between the proposed site and the new A46.
She said: "If 1,000 houses on the east side of the A46 go ahead there's nothing to stop Newton being merged into and taken over by Bingham. We need to maintain that gap."
But she added: "I think it could be a very nice development and this is something that should be supported."
Councillor Bryan Tansley said: "As a former member of the RAF, it's always sad to see a station close. But I think this is a very good use of the site."
The plan also retains reminders of the site's heritage – such as the control tower.
Ben Read, of Hunter Page Planning, which has worked on the project for Newton Nottingham LLP, said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome. A lot of work has gone into it.
"The application has been with Rushcliffe Borough Council for the best part of two years, and before that we spent 18 months discussing with the local community."
Mr Read said it could take a couple of years before houses are built on the site.
He added: "It was an RAF base. I think it's important to remember what it was and have a memorial to that, and where possible keep important buildings that represent it."
Mick Unwin, chairman of Shelford and Newton Parish Council, said he was happy with the council's decision.
He said: "I think a lot of the locals are quite happy with it. We have been in consultation with the developers, particularly on the road system. That will be the biggest problem and we have pointed out potential bottlenecks."
The Post reported in June how the Ministry of Defence confirmed radioactive waste is buried beneath RAF Newton.
Radium was painted on old aircraft dials and other equipment to make it glow in the dark.
Exposure to it can cause health problems including cancer if it is swallowed, but the MoD told the Post the risk to the public from the material under RAF Newton was negligible.
Officials said it was "buried and securely fenced within an area preventing inadvertent exposure".
