We can't get a doctor's appointment. We can't take 104 more homes

The Coal Authority has warned of potential hazards should plans for a new housing estate in a Nottinghamshire village go ahead. Planning documents from MyPad have been submitted to Ashfield District Council for the construction of an estate comprising 104 affordable homes on a 6.29-acre plot off Mill Lane in Huthwaite.

The site consists of former agricultural land with farmhouse and ancillary agricultural buildings and was formerly in use as part of Greenwood Falls Farm. But despite the council being unable to demonstrate a four-year supply of housing estates and failing the Housing Delivery Test, the plans have been met with opposition from the Coal Authority, Nottinghamshire County Council and residents.

The Coal Authority, which manages the effects of past coal mining and deals with mine water pollution and other mining legacy issues, said: "The Coal Authority records indicate that within the application site and surrounding area there are coal mining features and hazards, which need to be considered in relation to the determination of this planning application, specifically probable shallow coal mine workings associated with a thick coal seam outcrop, which may have been worked from the surface.

"Voids and broken/disturbed ground associated with such workings can pose a risk of ground instability and may give rise to the emission of mine gases. The Coal Authority objects to this planning application, as a Coal Mining Risk Assessment Report has not been submitted as part of the application."

Nottinghamshire County Council, as the Highway Authority, has expressed concerns regarding the infrastructure of the area. The estate would be accessed from the unadopted continuation of Mill Lane, which already serves 335 properties, to the southwest.

The authority explained that it will not support a further concentration of traffic and vehicle access off Mill Lane. It said: "The HA [Highway Authority] will not support this scale of development without the provision of additional vehicle access points to evenly dissipate the development traffic onto the existing highway network and to create integrated through routes with improved overall connectivity."

The development would comprise 16 one-bed homes, 30 two-bed homes, 52 three-bed homes and six homes with at least four bedrooms. A total of 198 parking spaces are also included in the proposals.

A number of objections have been put forward by residents living nearby. Neighbour Heather Johnson said: "There isn't enough doctors and schools to maintain the already overstretched population.

"I am worried for my health and children and family's health and education, we can't get into the doctor's now, never mind putting hundreds of other people into that situation." Another resident, Sally Calland, explained the plans don't fit the character of the neighbourhood.

In her objection statement, she said: "This development would bring in a large number of low-income residents, which could lead to increased crime rates and other negative social effects. Residents along Windmill Way would lose their privacy as the development would sit higher than our homes resulting in all our houses being overlooked and not private.

"Moreover, I am deeply concerned about the impact this development would have on property values in the surrounding area. The influx of low-income residents could result in a decline in property values, making it difficult for current residents to sell their homes and move elsewhere.

"While I recognise the need for affordable housing, I believe that this project is simply not the right fit for our neighbourhood." In documents submitted to Ashfield District Council, developers MyPad said: "The development proposal promotes sustainable transport modes. It provides safe and suitable access for all users.

"There would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, and the impact on the road network would not be severe. Therefore despite concern about extending the Mill Lane cul-de-sac, it does not fail policy tests and should not be prevented."

The project has been described as sensitive and high-quality in the planning documents, "physically and socially integrated with the village". The design and access statement reads: "The vision sees the creation of a cohesive expansion of the community with new green infrastructure and open space to promote active, healthy and safe lifestyles.

"Our vision sees high quality new homes, with urban design and landscape qualities that can forge a strong sense of identity for the development and leave an enduring legacy for the site."

A spokesperson for MyPad told Nottinghamshire Live: "We are still at a very early stage in the planning process, and we intend to work closely with statutory consultees in order to address any objections raised in order to provide much needed affordable housing within the local area and help those in greatest need of housing."