Exciting News from ASK Hive!

Hi everyone,

Can you believe it? After four years of determination, perseverance, and community support, we are finally seeing real progress and moving closer than ever to making the ASK Hive Community Hub a reality!

Earlier this year, we genuinely thought we had reached a major milestone. However, in February we were surprised to learn that the proposed site size had been reduced from just over half an acre to only one sixth of an acre. We felt this could not be right and challenged the decision. Following further discussions, common sense prevailed and the original site size was restored.

There was then another hurdle to overcome. Following significant local and political support for our project, Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed that the site would be treated as an Asset of Community Value. This meant it had to be openly marketed to establish whether any other organisations wished to take it forward.

After a period of waiting, we were informed that although there had been some expressions of interest, none progressed any further.

The fantastic news is that ASK Hive was selected to move forward!

As part of the next stage, we were asked to prepare and submit a completely new business plan. That task has now been completed, and what a task it was... all 181 pages of it! The document demonstrates the strength of our vision, the work undertaken over the past four years, and the enormous potential benefits for our community.

The project has now been transferred to ARC Developments, a development partnership associated with Nottinghamshire County Council, where the planning and legal processes will continue.

So, what happens next?

The upcoming stages will include detailed discussions on planning and site boundaries, demolition of the existing buildings, site clearance, and specialist surveys to confirm the land is free from issues such as asbestos, lead residue, or any other unwanted surprises.

Most importantly, we believe a joint planning application will soon be submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council, with the aim of completing the transaction towards the end of this financial year.

This is the closest we have ever been to turning years of hard work, countless volunteer hours, and unwavering community support into a vibrant hub that will serve local residents for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us, volunteered, attended meetings, completed surveys, shared our posts, donated, or simply believed in the vision. Every single contribution has helped us reach this point.

The journey isn't over yet, but we are entering one of the most exciting phases so far. Please continue to support ASK Hive, spread the word, and champion the project. Together, we're not just acquiring a site; we're creating a lasting community asset that will bring people together, combat isolation, support wellbeing, and provide opportunities for all ages.

Watch this space... exciting times are ahead!