NEW fears have been raised over the number of houses that could be built in Toton if high speed rail does not come to the county.
On Sunday, HS2 chairman David Higgins announced that the village was no longer the preferred site for the East Midlands station and that the £50 billion project was now looking to run the route to the west of the area – rumoured to be near Breaston, Derbyshire.
Although the final decision has not been made, this latest announcement has worried local people, who believe that the minimum of 500 homes earmarked to be built on the site could more than double as a replacement to the transport hub.
Christine Batham, 67, of Edale Rise, Toton, said: "I am worried because people are talking about us having more than 500 homes now.
"I live two houses down from the site and the infrastructure isn't good enough now without hundreds of more houses.
"Without the investment of HS2 I would prefer them not to build any at all."
Lynne Talbot has lived in the area for 32 years and does not want housing built on the greenbelt land as proposed.
The 60-year-old administration assistant of Woodstock Road, Toton, said: "The number of houses that could now be built is of great concern to everyone in the village.
"We don't want to lose any more greenbelt and if we have to build I would prefer HS2 than housing.
"Having more housing is a lose, lose situation."
South Broxtowe 20/20 has vowed to keep campaigning to bring HS2 to the area.
Co-founder Michelle Patel, said:"We now think there is a real potential that HS2 will not come to Nottinghamshire.
"We don't think this is the final decision because the route won't be announced until late next year.
"HS2 was never certain and there is now no guarantee that we won't get more houses on the site but without the investment or infrastructure the project was going to bring.
"There is a real worry that more housing will be now built instead of the planned station.
"There is also a fear that because there is no maximum amount of housing we could get a lot more than 500 on the site."
In July the Government gave its seal of approval for 30,550 new homes to be built in Nottingham and Gedling and Broxtowe boroughs over the next 14 years.
Part of Broxtowe Borough Council's plan included a minimum of 500 homes on land around the proposed HS2 station at Toton.
Council leader Milan Radulovic said: "This is exactly what I thought was going to happened and for me nothing has changed.
"The land near Breaston is strongly opposed because it is prone to flooding.
"What are they going to do - build a HS2 station under water?
"I still think that there is hope for Toton and they are looking at other options to please the egos of politicians in Derby.
"If HS2 doesn't come we will be opposing the 500 homes. If it doesn't go ahead nothing will go ahead."
The Chamber of Commerce for Nottinghamshire believe the report has not answered vital questions.
Chris Hobson, head of information and representation, said: "The Report confirms the need for a hub in the East Midlands but has failed to address the location and connectivity issues, leaving huge doubts about where the hub might be located and how much work is going to be needed to deliver the connectivity for the whole region to benefit economically.
"It's vital that all interested parties in the region put aside local differences and come together to ensure HS2 hub station can deliver for the whole region and it's crucial that local business is given the opportunity to feed into the development of HS2 to ensure the region reaps maximum benefit."
