A shared vision for our village and parish.
Developed by residents and supported by the Parish Council, it sets out local priorities for housing, green spaces, heritage, transport and more, ensuring that new development enhances what makes Awsworth special.
What is the Neighbourhood Plan?
Awsworth’s Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led document guiding the sustainable development of our parish up to 2030. It better ensures that growth happens in the right places, with the right design, and for the benefit of local people and our parish.
Shaping Local Growth
The Plan puts residents at the heart of decision-making, ensuring development reflects local needs, not just planning targets.
Protecting What Matters
Green spaces, heritage sites, and village character are safeguarded for future generations, helping to maintain Awsworth’s distinct identity.
Built on Local Voices
Every policy stems from real feedback, gathered from exhaustive and varied forms of consultation, community meetings, and shared ideas.
A Legally Recognised Framework
Once adopted, the Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan for the local area, and carries statutory weight, meaning planning authorities (including Broxtowe Borough Council) must consider it in every relevant decision.
“By 2030, Awsworth Parish will be a safer and more attractive area. It will value the local community and their aspirations and provide people with a sense of pride and belonging. It will be a thriving and vibrant place, where everyone can be involved and contribute.”
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How It Came Together
2015
Awsworth was designated as a Neighbourhood Plan Area, marking the start of a community-led effort to shape the parish’s future and guide local development.
2016
Consultations and surveys gathered ideas from residents on housing, green space, and village life, ensuring the Plan reflected real local priorities.
2019
Using community feedback and data, the first draft of the Plan took shape, focused on protecting heritage, improving facilities, and managing growth.
2021
Following independent examination, residents voted overwhelmingly in favour, with 87.6% saying 'yes' to adopting the Awsworth Neighbourhood Plan.
2030
The current Plan runs until 2030, helping Awsworth grow sustainably while preserving its green spaces, character, and sense of community.
Issues & Opportunities
The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to protect and enhance the qualities most valued by people who live and work in Awsworth, while addressing key challenges facing the village. Community consultation identified a range of priorities that shape the Plan’s approach. These priorities focus on protecting the village’s character, environment, and community spirit, while managing change in a positive and appropriate way.
Valued Attributes
Awsworth is valued for its rural setting, access to open countryside, and good walking routes. Residents appreciate the village’s peaceful and quiet character, affordability, and friendly atmosphere. A strong sense of community is a defining feature of village life. Proximity to employment centres such as Nottingham and Derby is also seen as an important benefit.
Community
Awsworth is recognised for its strong village atmosphere and sense of place. Its size allows people to know one another, supporting a friendly and connected community. Inappropriate or poorly scaled development could undermine this character. While many residents feel safe, concerns were raised about increasing anti-social behaviour. The community’s aspiration is for a thriving, vibrant Parish with pride in where people live.
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Community Facilities
Satisfaction with community facilities is mixed. The Primary School and Nursery are highly regarded, while views on other facilities vary. The Village Hall remains the main hub for community activity and is seeing improvement following recent refurbishment and new management. Public open spaces, particularly the recreation areas, are strongly valued, with young people calling for better parks. The lack of a GP and limited local health services are a concern for many residents. The community believes new housing must be matched by improved facilities, especially schools, health services, and play areas.
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Bennerley Viaduct
Bennerley Viaduct is a Grade II* Listed structure and a significant local asset. Plans are underway to restore it for use as a walking and cycling route connecting Nottingham, Awsworth, Ilkeston, and Derby. Future development must protect the viaduct, integrate sensitively with it, and improve connections to walking and cycling routes. The viaduct is central to wider ambitions for sustainable transport and recreation.
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Natural Environment
The countryside surrounding Awsworth, including canal-side paths and public footpaths, is highly valued by the community. Peace, quiet, and access to nature are key qualities residents wish to protect. Young people have expressed a desire for more wildlife areas, trees, woodland, ponds, and open fields. Proposed Green Belt reviews and housing allocations have the potential to change the village’s character, making careful environmental protection essential.
Built Environment
Awsworth currently benefits from a good mix of housing, but future development must meet changing needs, particularly those of an ageing population. Concerns were raised about the design quality of some newer housing and how well it integrates with the village. Parts of the public realm, including the Village Hall, shop area, lack of public toilets, and the approach from the A610, were seen as unattractive. Good design and well-used spaces present an opportunity to improve pride of place and perceptions of safety.
Traffic and Transport
Awsworth benefits from good access to major centres and the motorway network, but transport remains a key concern. Public transport, particularly bus services, is considered poor and needs to be supported by future development. Traffic congestion, HGV movements, on-street parking, and road safety are major issues, with concerns about air quality. Young people identified traffic as their biggest dislike and want a future with fewer cars, less pollution, and more cycling.
Bennerley Coal Disposal Point
The former Bennerley Coal Disposal Point is a large, long-derelict brownfield site within the Green Belt, west of the village. There is potential to support appropriate re-use of the site, subject to strict environmental safeguards and clear community benefits. Any development must respect its sensitive location, proximity to Bennerley Viaduct, and its role within a Local Wildlife Site. The Parish Council and Steering Group have worked with landowners to explore options that balance economic opportunity with environmental protection.
Themes & Policies
The Plan’s 26 policies are grouped under eight themes that seek to balance growth, heritage, and sustainability.
Housing
Ensures new homes meet the real needs of our community while fitting sensitively into the village setting. It supports high quality design, housing diversity, and sustainable growth without undermining Awsworth’s character.
Built Environment & Design
Focuses on the style, form and layout of buildings and public spaces to maintain and enhance the village’s distinctive identity. Encourages high-quality development that respects heritage, promotes accessibility, and creates safe, attractive streetscapes.
Green & Blue Infrastructure
Protects our natural network of land and water, from parks and woodland, to waterways and biodiversity. Protects designated Local Green Spaces from inappropriate development. Identifies important areas of woodland, tree belts and hedgerows. It promotes the careful management of landscapes, flooding, walking-routes and ecological features so Awsworth remains connected, resilient and green.
Community Facilities & Shops
Supports the places and services that anchor village life, from halls and recreation grounds to local stores and youth spaces. It aims to keep these facilities vibrant, accessible and embedded in our parish’s long-term wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Employment
Encourages local economic activity by supporting small business, sustainable enterprises and jobs close to home. It aligns with broader strategic planning while focusing on opportunities that reflect the strengths of the village and help residents thrive.
Traffic & Transport
Seeks to improve movement in and around Awsworth, such as walking, cycling, public transport and safer roads. It prioritises connections, accessibility and reduced impact of vehicles while ensuring local routes are usable, calm and fit for everyday life.
Bennerley Viaduct & Nottingham Canal
Celebrates and safeguards two of Awsworth’s key heritage and transport-related landscape assets. This theme promotes their protection, appropriate access and sensitive enhancement so they continue to contribute to local identity, tourism and community value.
Former Bennerley Coal Disposal Point
Addresses the future of a distinctive site with strong local history, supporting its sustainable reuse, remediation where needed, and integration into the village’s evolving fabric as a new Country Park. It aims to convert a once-industrial space into a community asset consistent with our plan’s vision.
Why it matters.
The Neighbourhood Plan guides how the parish should evolve to 2030 and beyond, giving Awsworth a stronger voice in shaping its future. It means developments must consider our community’s needs, protect our environment, and maintain our unique character.
