Reform UK Councillor blasts planning application as a threat to historic landmark
Reform UK Councillor Cathy Mason has urged residents to object as Ashfield District Council admits that a planning application of 84 dwellings off Wild Hill, Teversal, may affect the setting of nearby Grade 1 listed Hardwick Hall.
This application, reference V/2026/0594, was submitted by Norcroft Asset Group Ltd, directed by Katy Hollis, but also lists her brother, serial criminal Councillor Tom Hollis, as a person with significant control of the company.
Councillor Tom Hollis is a sitting councillor on Ashfield District Council, is the current Vice-Chairman of the authority, and is the former long-term deputy leader to the disgraced Councillor Jason Zadrozny who was convicted of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion.
Councillor Hollis was heavily connected to the case, and even appeared as a witness in court defending Councillor Zadrozny.
Councillor Hollis also has an extensive criminal record of his own, including assault, harassment, criminal damage, careless driving, dangerous dogs, and failing to declare a financial interest.
This comes as disgraced criminal fraudster Councillor Jason Zadrozny was last week appointed to Ashfield District Council's Planning Committee. Ashfield MP Lee Anderson wrote to the Government in relation to this expressing concerns.
Councillor Cathy Mason said:
"Everyone who visits Hardwick Hall has a stake in protecting the historic landscape and views that make it special. Our children and grandchildren deserve to experience that heritage too."
"You do not have to live in Wild Hill, Teversal or Ashfield to speak up. Our national heritage belongs to all of us."
"The Council’s own Draft Local Plan submitted by the Ashfield Independent administration excluded the site where this new planning application is because of its isolated, unsustainable location. The latest published appraisal still marks it 'Not Selected'."
"Local residents also report that the bus stop has no service. Children walking towards school would face a busy road with sections without pavements. These are serious questions about accessibility and pedestrian safety."
"Couple this with the potential threat to the setting of Grade 1 listed Hardwick Hall, it is clear that this planning application is unsuitable."
"Given that convicted fraudster Jason Zadrozny has now been appointed to the authority's Planning Committee, this deserves scrutiny at a national level."
"I am urging all residents to write to Ashfield District Council and to the Government to object to this application."
This should not be allowed
Grade 1 listed buildings are protected for a reason..
If it were allowed to go ahead and it causes issues on the buildings who actually pays for it?
The company doing the building work?
If it isn't on the local plan in the first place then ADC know it isn't a viable option to build 84 houses on the land.
It needs to be stopped and taken down from the planning application process.
If it was to be passed then it needs to go to the high court for a decision and the developers pay the costs.