A new two-bedroom bungalow could be built in the back garden of an existing property in Rainworth. The proposal relates to land behind 88 Southwell Road East, which currently forms part of the garden of an existing detached two-bedroom bungalow. The new property would include its own garden and patio area, as well as two car-parking spaces and two cycle spaces. The site covers around 243 square metres and would face Nursery Gardens, where access to the new home would be creat

A video published by a Polish YouTuber showing an overnight stay in Sherwood Forest has raised concerns over whether the rules protecting the historic woodland were respected. The footage appears to show a hammock and tarp set up between trees, camping equipment, a portable stove and a large outdoor knife carried in a leather sheath. Sherwood Forest is not simply a recreational woodland. The site is a National Nature Reserve managed by the RSPB and is home to important wildli

A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting a young woman in Mansfield. The incident happened on Ratcliffe Gate at around 11:30am, when the man approached the victim from behind and tried to engage her in conversation before touching her and attempting to kiss her. Police were alerted and, with help from members of the public, officers managed to track down and arrest the suspect around 15 minutes later. The man later pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and was

Poverty is far more than a temporary lack of funds—it is an ongoing state of instability that impacts child development, limits future opportunities, and keeps families trapped in survival mode. In response to these deep-seated issues, Derby City Council announced its Fairer Derby Strategy 2026–2029, a multi-year framework designed to dismantle structural poverty at its roots. By moving away from temporary emergency fixes and focusing on long-term prevention, the city aims to

Rising living costs, housing shortages, and systemic poverty have put immense pressure on local councils across the UK. Across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, local authorities, charities, and community groups are taking bold steps to address homelessness, reduce emergency housing reliance, and support vulnerable residents. Here is a look at how the East Midlands is tackling these critical social issues. Nottinghamshire: Overhauling Emergency Housing and Long-Term Funding Not

A police sergeant based at Mansfield Police Station has been dismissed with immediate effect following a misconduct hearing over discriminatory comments made to a detainee. The incident happened on 19 November last year, when the officer was escorting a detainee towards a prison van. The man, who is a British citizen of Iranian descent, was due to be taken to Mansfield Magistrates’ Court. CCTV footage reviewed during an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Condu

Denis and Karl are currently living in tents in Mansfield with their dog, Missie. They are in a very difficult situation and need both long-term support with homelessness and essential items for everyday life. As the Dignity Alliance community support group, we are helping them communicate with the relevant services and deal with official matters connected to their situation. This process may take time, so we are now making an urgent appeal to the local community in Mansfield

Mansfield District Council has announced plans to create six new accessible play spaces across the district, funded through the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund. The aim is to make local parks more inclusive and enjoyable for children and young people of all abilities. The initial locations are: 🛝 Pencil Park⚽ Ladybrook Park – new MUGA🌳 Peafield Park🌳 The Carrs🏘️ Oak Tree Estate🌳 Manor Park The council says the project will focus on accessibility and removing barr

Ashfield District Council is currently considering a planning application for the former Mapplewells Inn site on Mapplewells Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield. The proposal is for the land to become a permanent residential caravan site for four Gypsy and Traveller families. According to the published information, the plans include: 🏠 Residential accommodation for four families🚐 Permanent caravan pitches🏢 An amenity block🚗 Four parking spaces🌿 Use of the former pub site, which c

Mansfield is our town. It is where we live, work, raise our families and build our daily lives. Like every community, it has many good things to offer — but there are also problems that residents and local businesses face every day. Housing difficulties, anti-social behaviour, problems with public services, unanswered complaints, confusing decisions, accessibility issues or simply the feeling that individual voices are not always being heard. Dignity Alliance was created to h

Seven people have died following a serious collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough involving a Volkswagen Passat and a marked Cleveland Police vehicle. The crash happened at around 3:39am after the Volkswagen, which had five occupants believed to be in their late teens, was travelling the wrong way along the dual carriageway. The car collided with an oncoming marked police vehicle. All seven people involved in the two vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene. Two police off

Mansfield District Council has obtained a full closure order on a property in Chadburn Road following evidence of persistent anti-social behaviour, nuisance, disorder and criminal activity. The property was closed by the council working alongside Nottinghamshire Police after concerns showed that activity linked to the address was having a serious negative impact on the local community. The closure order prevents people from entering the property and allows enforcement agencie

Housing decisions can have a major impact on people’s lives. When a Homefinder, council or housing provider decision seems inconsistent, unclear or unfair, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Sometimes the issue is a simple misunderstanding. In other cases, the decision may have been based on incomplete information, an outdated assessment, unclear eligibility criteria or an inconsistent application of policy. The most important thing is to respond in a clear, organis

In every community, some problems may initially seem like isolated incidents. Broken street lighting, neglected communal areas, anti-social behaviour, accessibility problems, repeated delays, poor communication from organisations, or similar concerns raised by different residents can sometimes point to a wider issue. That is why Community Voice matters. One problem may affect many people A resident may report an issue and be told that it is a one-off case. But when several pe

Local community and voluntary groups in Mansfield are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10,000 through the Pride in Place Impact Fund. The funding is intended to support small, grassroots-level capital projects that create practical and visible improvements in local communities. Mansfield District Council says the wider Pride in Place Impact Fund focuses on improving community spaces, public spaces and local pride. What Kind of Projects Could Be Supported? The fu

Mansfield is set to receive £20 million of government-backed investment over the next 10 years through the Pride in Place programme. The aim is to support long-term regeneration, strengthen neighbourhoods and give local communities a greater role in deciding what improvements matter most. Mansfield District Council says residents, community groups and partners will be closely involved in shaping priorities. For Dignity Alliance, the most important part of this announcement is

Vehicle-related anti-social behaviour continues to be a significant concern across Mansfield. Nottinghamshire Police has identified vehicle-related ASB as the most frequently reported type of anti-social behaviour in Mansfield, with local concerns including off-road bikes, e-scooters, speeding vehicles, car meets and nuisance driving around schools, public open spaces and the night-time economy. Police say continued reports from residents, damage to land and wildlife, and the

Nottinghamshire County Council is consulting residents on proposed changes to existing residents’ parking bays on Rufford Avenue and Watson Avenue in Mansfield. The consultation is being delivered by Via East Midlands on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council and is currently open until 19 August 2026. What Is Being Proposed? The County Council has received a request to amend two existing residents’ parking bays — one on Watson Avenue and one on Rufford Avenue. According to

Mansfield District Council has extended its Private Rental Access Scheme until 31 March 2027, giving more people facing homelessness or living in temporary accommodation a route into private rented housing. (Mansfield District Council) The scheme is designed to help people who may be able to afford an ongoing private tenancy but struggle with the large upfront costs normally required to secure a home. What support does the scheme provide? The Council can support eligible hous

Mansfield District Council is currently consulting residents and tenants on proposed housing policies that could affect how neighbourhood problems are managed and how some council homes are allocated. Two of the most important proposals are the Good Neighbourhood Management Policy and the Local Lettings Policy. The consultation closes on 19 August 2026. (Mansfield District Council) Good Neighbourhood Management Policy The proposed Good Neighbourhood Management Policy sets out