Council Rejects Rollercoaster Overlooking Nottinghamshire Homes

Plans to keep a towering rollercoaster overlooking homes in Nottinghamshire have been rejected by the Ashfield District Council. The prototype structure, erected at a former aerodrome near Sandford Lane in Hucknall, had drawn complaints from residents regarding noise, visual impact, and a loss of privacy.

The council denied a retrospective application by fairground operator Mellors Group on October 20 to use Grade II listed hangars at the Watnall Road site as a rollercoaster testing and storage facility. The company stated its intention to appeal the decision, expressing a belief that there had been a "misunderstanding of what we are seeking to achieve."

Ashfield District Council determined that the proposed use would be "incongruous" and allow rollercoasters of "excessive scale" to impose an "overbearing and oppressive" presence in the area. The council's decision notice also noted concerns that workers repairing and inspecting rollercoasters at height could lead to an "unacceptable perception and loss of privacy for neighbouring occupiers." Furthermore, the application failed to demonstrate that the depot could operate without negatively impacting its neighbors, and the planned use had the "potential to generate significant noise."

Mellors Group, known for organizing Nottingham's Winter Wonderland and city beach attractions, submitted the change of use application on August 25. This followed reports from local residents to the council that the buildings were being used for purposes inconsistent with the land's approved planning use class. Application documents indicated that the site, previously designated for storage, was actually being used for both storage and manufacturing.

The application stated that the change in use had begun on June 1, 2025, without consent. It involved the test assembly, dismantling, and maintenance of amusement attractions, including the use of the listed hangars and external operational areas. The council concluded that the presence of rollercoasters would "detract the setting and appreciation" of the historic hangars.

James Mellor, director of Mellors Group, attributed the prolonged presence of the rollercoaster to delays in its painting and subsequent public deployment. He cited a challenging year with various issues, including shipping delays for materials impacting work in the Middle East. Mellor stated that the rollercoaster had been at the site much longer than anticipated and that the company wished to move it as quickly as possible.

Mellor also expressed a desire for the change of use to accommodate work on "other rides," noting that many other attractions are not as large as the current rollercoaster. He added that much of the work would occur below fence level, out of public view, and that the company does not profit from the rollercoaster while it is in storage undergoing work. The hangars were originally constructed in 1916 and were utilized by the RAF and Rolls-Royce for developing new and experimental aircraft technologies.