Council rejects rollercoaster overlooking homes

Plans to keep a rollercoaster overlooking homes in Nottinghamshire have been refused by a council.

The prototype has been erected at a former aerodrome near Sandford Lane, in Hucknall, prompting complaints from residents about noise, visual impact and a loss of privacy.

Ashfield District Council rejected a retrospective application by fairground operator Mellors Group to use Grade II listed hangars at the Watnall Road site as a rollercoaster testing and storage site on 20 October.

The firm said it would appeal against the decision and believed there had been a "misunderstanding of what we are seeking to achieve and hope to work towards an outcome that addresses the concerns raised".

The authority said the site would be "incongruous" and allow rollercoasters of "excessive scale" to have an "overbearing and oppressive" presence in the area.

The buildings were first constructed in 1916 and used by the RAF and Rolls-Royce for the development of new and experimental aircraft technologies.

Mellors Group, the company behind Nottingham's Winter Wonderland and city beach attractions, submitted the change of use application on 25 August.

The application was submitted after Ashfield District Council said it had received reports from local residents that the buildings were being used for purposes which were "not in line with the approved planning use class for the land".

Application documents show the site was previously classed as being used for storage only, but was actually being used for both storage and manufacturing.

The application form states the change in use had started on 1 June 2025 without consent and involves the test assembly, dismantling and maintenance of amusement attractions within the existing site, including the use of the listed hangars and external operational areas.

In the council's decision notice rejecting the change in use, the authority said rollercoasters would "detract the setting and appreciation" of the hangars at the aerodrome site.

Concerns were raised that workers repairing and inspecting rollercoasters at height could result in an "unacceptable perception and loss of privacy for neighbouring occupiers".

The notice also said the application had failed to demonstrate the planned rollercoaster testing depot could operate without negatively impacting its neighbours and the planned use had "potential to generate significant noise".

James Mellor, director of the Mellors Group, said there had been "delays" with sending off the rollercoaster to be painted before being put out for public use.

"It's been a very, very difficult year with multiple different issues, especially issues we've had at the Middle East," said Mellor.

Mellor said war in the region was causing shipping delays for materials and preventing work from taking place.

He added: "So it's just been there a lot longer than what was ever anticipated, even on our behalf. We want the coaster out as quick as possible."

Mellor added he wanted the change of use to be able to "work on other rides".

"Most rides are nowhere near the size of the coaster," he said. "A lot of things will actually be done below the fence line where people can't see.

"We don't want the coaster there any longer than they do because it doesn't make us any money while it's having work done on it in storage."

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