An area of land which is situated on a prominent and well-known location in Nottingham has come onto the market with potential for agricultural grazing or a range of outdoor leisure pursuits. The 347-acre plot comprises grasslands, forests and open water with an abundance of natural habitats. The land is adjoined to Holme Pierrepont Country Park and the National Watersports Centre. Land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie has been appointed to sell the land by the current owners, with bids invited in excess of £4.5m. Gary Kirk, Director of Mather Jamie, said: “This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a large parcel of land with potential for a variety of uses, situated on the fringe of Nottingham with exceptional potential for development of a variety of alternative uses.” The land was formerly subject to sand and gravel extraction which has created the wetland habitat and large body of open water. Quarrying activities, which started in the area in the 1940’s, ceased in approximately 2004. Alternative uses considered within the current particulars include buildings for agriculture and forestry, outdoor sports and recreation including leisure uses and other potential alternative uses for the site.

Speeding up planning permission and bringing in the private sector to support local authorities are among asks set out by East Midlands Chamber as the government holds an open consultation on national planning. Government proposals include the building of 1.5 million new homes across the UK, broadening the definition of brownfield land and support for renewable energy.  Respondents have until 24th September to express their views via an online portal. East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The planning system has needed significant reform for years. Development takes far too long in the East Midlands, it costs too much and that’s a barrier to businesses unlocking growth, investing, creating new jobs and to the UK’s transition to net zero, as infrastructure projects get delayed. “Whatever the findings of the government’s consultation nationally, we’ve clearly laid out the planning reform needed for this region in our Manifesto for Growth 2024. Staffing issues at councils can be helped by the private sector stepping in; access to the National Grid needs to be easier for renewable energy production and local plans need to reflect the reality of how people live, work and move.”

A top national vision correction provider has moved into new Grade A premises in Nottingham. Optegra Eye Health Care, which has its head office in London, has expanded onto Apex Court in Wilford, Nottingham after taking a lease on the ground floor of Building C at the business park. The brand-new clinic will provide NHS cataract surgery to local people. Darren Whitelaw, Head of Property and Asset Management for Optegra, said: “We have opened 11 new NHS clinics around the country over the past two years, as we work to support the NHS and deliver timely cataract surgery. Each build has been unique and had its own challenges, while delivering an Optegra-style hospital for patients. “In Nottingham our challenge was to split a two-floor property into two separate units, and then create the hospital on the ground floor. NG have been a pleasure to work with, and very helpful throughout this process. We are delighted with the result and are confident our patients will be too.” Charlotte Steggles, Associate Director at NG, brokered the deal for Optegra’s new premises on behalf of a private landlord client. She said: “It’s fantastic that we’re able to help Optegra with their expansion plans at Apex Court, which continues to be extremely popular given its excellent transport links to not only Nottingham city centre, but the rest of the UK. Our landlord tenant now has a very high calibre client which is growing across the country – and Optegra has some stunning new premises from which to operate. “However, this was a real team effort from my colleagues at NG and the deal only enhances our reputation as a quality full-service agency.” NG Director Jude Weston manages the building on behalf of the landlord, while fellow building consultancy director Paul Rogers procured the Cat A works to split the property and oversaw the tenant’s work. “It’s great to be working closely with our property management and agency colleagues to provide a cohesive and complete property solution to our client,” said Paul. He added: “Our primary focus was to ensure the Cat A works were completed on time, to design and to budget. We were familiar with the property having previously completed insurance reinstatement cost assessments and dilapidation services when the former tenant exited. We have worked closely with the tenant’s representative to approve and monitor the Cat B works.”

The newly built small animal clinical teaching building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington Campus has reached completion, allowing the university to double its intake for related courses. Called the Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Education, the detached single storey facility has been designed by Nottingham-based architecture practice CPMG. The £3 million project showcases standout elements including glulam framing to support the university’s net zero carbon strategy – keeping embodied carbon to a minimum through the choice of engineered wood beams. In a bid to support the university’s aim of bridging the skills gap currently facing the veterinary industry, the state-of-the-art facility includes a full practice, space for general teaching, along with spaces for both small animals and larger livestock. Additional expert design considerations include an increased focus on hygiene throughout, due to the animal and veterinary care activity the space is set to be used for. Alex Walker, associate and project lead at CPMG said: “Seeing this project come to fruition, with the facility now finalised and ready for the next intake of students, is incredibly rewarding as a Nottingham-based business. “Following our appointment in March 2021, we’ve continued to grow our relationship with the university, working closely in reliable and timely manner to ensure the finalised practice is fit for purpose, made even harder during times such as the pandemic. “Utilising both the internal and external design, it’s great to see how this building is already at home next to the other facilities across the campus. “The final result truly showcases some of the best elements of architecture, adaptability and project management, and it is a notch in our belt that we are very proud of at CPMG, as we continue to demonstrate our expertise in the private sector and education sector.” The finalised project has achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, as well as exceeding RIBA’s targets for embodied and operational carbon. After a nomination, the project was shortlisted within the public sector category for the RICS Awards. Professor Gary England, Foundation Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted that the Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Medicine is complete. This facility will enable us to further provide state-of-the-art facilities to our ever-growing number of students. “This new space is also another step towards helping us to fulfill our ambition in bridging the postgraduate skills gap currently facing the veterinary sector across the UK.” Alongside CPMG, the project team included main contractor RG Carter, structural and MEP engineers Arup and landscape architects, Ares Landscape Architects

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Hollies Day Nurseries in Nottingham to a major, expanding group. Established for over 30 years, Hollies Day Nurseries is a family-run group of five day nurseries located across Sherwood, Arnold, Mapperley, and West Bridgford. All settings enjoy either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings and have a strong emphasis on using natural materials and nature-based play, incorporating the Reggio approach into their curriculum, and delivering Forest School sessions provided by qualified Forest School leaders. All the nurseries are run under management with long-serving staff teams and the support of a head office function. The group has been owned by Andrew and Becky Pike for the last 32 years. Following a sales process handled by Jassi Sunner and David Eaves at Christie & Co, the group has been purchased by Kids Planet Day Nurseries, which now owns over 200 nurseries across the UK. Andrew and Becky Pike, former owners of Hollies Day Nurseries, say: “Hollies has been a part of our lives for 32 years and growing from one to five nurseries has been an incredible journey, making the decision to sell extremely difficult. We knew Kids Planet was the right team to take it forward as our work ethic and ethos are closely aligned. “We recognise the value of having a progressive team with a focus on quality and we found this to be the case in our very first meeting with Kids Planet. We are going to miss our dedicated and loving team. We wish them, the children and families every success and a wonderful future.” Clare Roberts, CEO at Kids Planet Day Nurseries, says: “I am delighted to welcome Hollies into the Kids Planet family, growing our presence in the Nottingham area. Hollies’ focus on inspiring learning environments is closely aligned with our own approach and we look forward to working with the teams and families moving forward. “This acquisition takes Kids Planet over 200 nurseries, a milestone we can be proud of, and a testament to the dedication of our people, who have grown and developed alongside the business over the past 16 years. “Our core values have remained consistent and embedded in our day-to-day work, and I would like to say a huge well done and thank you to everyone who has been on this journey. I look forward to the exciting future ahead for Kids Planet.” Jassi Sunner and David Eaves at Christie & Co say: “When provided with the opportunity to bring to market an absolutely stellar group of nurseries in Nottingham and perhaps even some of the best in the East Midlands as a whole, we were excited to see the competitive tension unfold. “Hollies is a shining example of both excellent childcare that parents seek out across the city but also a fantastic employer who really nurtures their staff. Drew and Becky have really enhanced the group from the Pike family legacy by adding settings as well as refurbishing regularly across the very first settings. “This super-competitive process is a fantastic example of the confidence in the market and the desire for high-quality assets in the sector. We are absolutely delighted for both Drew, Becky and their wider family, and wish them all the best with their travel plans and a well-earned break!” Hollies Day Nurseries was sold for an undisclosed price.