A NEW social housing development could be built near Arnold.
If council permission is given, 23 houses will be built off Rosecroft Drive, Daybrook.
They would be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and would have 35 car parking spaces. Leicester-based Asra Housing Group has submitted plans for the homes to Nottingham City Council.
The proposals have drawn a mixed response from neighbours.
Sue Barnett, 67, retired, of Cross Street, has welcomed them.
"It wouldn't be bad at all," she said. "Any new development near Arnold is good. The town needs something new around, whatever it is."
But Keeley Doughty, 32, of Church Crescent, raised concerns. "I don't think amenities in the area could cope," she said. "Our schools are over-run as it is, and so are the doctors.
"I am proposing secondary schools for my daughter, Sophie, who is ten, at the moment and I have found out that at the three local schools there are 553 applications for 200 spaces. Social housing usually comes with children. I think people coming into the area will put an additional strain on this.
"And the other amenities won't be able to cope. We have enough supermarkets in Arnold but we were waiting for a doctor's appointment for 40 minutes the other day.
"A social housing development also begs the question whether there will be an increase in anti-social behaviour. Arnold town centre is already a bit scary. I don't go there after 7pm."
Mrs Doughty also said the development could drive down the price of properties.
An Asra spokesman said: "This site was brought forward in conjunction with Nottingham City Council to address the lack of affordable homes in the area. As part of the planning process, highways and education will be consulted to ensure that they are satisfied that the new residents do not create excess strain on services.
"We have further held an event as part of the consultation for local residents to comment on the proposed designs. There will be an opportunity for residents affected by the development to submit their concerns to the planning department.
"The new homes will be built to a high environmental specification which will help to tackle fuel poverty by bringing down energy bills."
A document submitted to the council in support of the plans says the scheme would "function well and add to the overall quality of the area – not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development, respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings".
The document says the design is "modern" with "a contemporary flavour".
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