Hero Officer, New HomeFinder Website, Three Year Sentence for Worksop Attack & More
Happy Friday readers, the weekend is in sight !
I hope you have something nice planned for the weekend but until then .... grab a brew and a hobnob and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.
Today's Quote of the Day - "It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop." — Confucius
you may think it would be of use to - perhaps people not on social media 24/7 or just people who like a summary read in the morning.
Enjoy the read and have a great weekend wherever you are reading this.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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New HomeFinder website to make applying for housing easier
People looking for social housing in Bassetlaw will soon be benefitting from a new and improved website, designed to make managing applications quicker, simpler and more accessible.
Bassetlaw District Council is introducing the new HomeFinder platform which replaces the existing website providing a more user-friendly experience and introducing a range of new features to help tenants manage their housing needs online.
In preparation for the changeover, on 23rd September 2026 the current Choice based letting system will be unavailable for all users. If you need to contact us about your housing application on this day, you can still do so by contacting the Housing Registration Team on 0800 509 542 or emailing housing.registration@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates said: "The new HomeFinder website has been designed with our tenants in mind and will make the process more straightforward and help us provide a better service.
“It is much more modern and easier to use, while giving tenants more flexibility to manage their housing application online.”
Existing applicants will not need to reapply for housing through the new website with all current applications automatically transferring across. Meanwhile users will be able to continue using their existing login details when the new website launches, but will be asked to set a new password the first time they sign in.
The improved website will give applicants greater control over their housing application, allowing them to review and update their details online through their HomeFinder account.
Users will also be able to upload supporting documents directly to their application and complete their annual renewals online.
Support is available for anyone who needs help registering a housing application with those not confident about using the technology able to receive assistance from Customer Services or request vulnerable bidding. This allows the council to place bids on suitable properties on their behalf.
Alongside the website update, the council will be reviewing the waiting list over the next twelve months, with applicants contacted with details of how to complete their application renewal through their account.
To visit the new website visit Find a home | Bassetlaw District Council
For more information on the Choice Based Lettings Policy visit Choice based lettings policy | Bassetlaw District Council
Content courtesy of Bassetlaw District Council
Officers save man's life after grabbing his ankles as he fell from top-floor window
Response officers are being commended for their swift actions after saving the life of a man who attempted to throw himself from a top-floor window.
Officers were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in St James's Street, Nottingham city centre, at 1.50pm on 5 September.
When officers arrived, the man initially engaged but then without warning rolled across the bed and tried to throw himself out of the window, situated on the third floor.
Acting instinctively, PC Joe Blake rushed to the window and grabbed hold of the man by his ankles, before PC Luke Kerruish, PC Laura Rowan and PS Megan Lewis assisted in pulling him back into the bedroom where they safely detained him.
Inspector Andrew Wright said:
"The man was experiencing a serious mental health crisis. When the officers arrived, PC Blake immediately began engaging with him, but within seconds and without any warning, he attempted to jump head first from the window.
"Had the officers not arrived quickly, spoken with him and then managed to pull him back inside, the outcome could have been devastating for both him and his family.
"It took all their collective strength to get him back through the window. He was a tall, heavily built man and, at one stage, everything but his lower legs was outside the window.
"Despite the extreme pressures of the situation, the officers remained calm, worked together and brought the incident to a safe conclusion.
"They should be very proud of their actions. Their courage, professionalism and teamwork undoubtedly saved a life and ensured a vulnerable man was able to receive the support and care he needed."
Chief Inspector Arnie Ahmed, who oversees the City Response teams, also praised the officers involved. He said:
"This was an incredibly challenging situation and the officers involved showed remarkable courage, professionalism and compassion in difficult circumstances.
"Their quick actions undoubtedly prevented what could have been a tragic outcome and demonstrate the commitment our officers show every day to protecting vulnerable people and saving lives."
Police are reminding anyone struggling with their mental health that support is available.
Anyone concerned about their own wellbeing or that of a loved one should seek help from appropriate health services or contact emergency services if there is an immediate risk to life.
If you are struggling with mental health, you can call the Samaritans 24/7, 365 days a year on 116 123 for free. In an emergency always dial 999.
Nottingham Forest’s plans for a major expansion of the City Ground have been given the green light.
By: Lauren Monaghan, LDRS
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s planning committee met on Wednesday evening (September 16) to consider one of the most monumental developments to pass through the authority.
Back in 2019, Nottingham Forest Football Club first revealed its plans to expand its capacity by thousands, with the council giving permission for a smaller 5,000 capacity expansion in the summer of 2025. The capacity currently sits at around 31,000.
Months later, in December 2025, the club revealed its ambitions to drive its capacity up to more than 50,000, with two applications detailing a total stadium capacity of 52,500 in future.
The first application discussed concerned the full demolition of the existing Peter Taylor Stand and the filling in of the Trent End corners, which will take capacity to 45,000. This was given conditional planning permission on the night.
The temporary corner module between the Brian Clough Stand and Trent End will also be demolished to facilitate this part of the project.
Under the plans, the Champion Centre, Club Shop, Nottingham Rowing Club’s Britannia Boathouse and Sims Boathouse buildings, along with six homes, would be knocked down. A new club shop will be built as part of the project.
The redeveloped Peter Taylor Stand will bring the total stadium capacity up to 45,000, where it will be organised over multiple levels, including general admission, hospitality suites, media facilities and a restaurant with an independent entrance for use outside matchdays.
The existing Trent End Stand and concourse will be retained, where new tiers will be built over the existing roof to maintain capacity during the construction period.
The six residential properties on Rosebery Avenue and Colwick Road, near the City Ground, will be demolished to allow for the creation of a new public plaza alongside reconfigured car and coach parking.
Rushcliffe councillors also approved a further extension of the Reds’ ground through the redevelopment of the Brian Clough Stand to deliver an extra 7,500 seats – though this application was an ‘outline’ plan, meaning further details need to go through Rushcliffe planners before work can begin on this.
Speaking during the meeting, a spokesperson for the 375-plus-member Nottingham Kayak Club expressed concerns for the vehicular access to the club during and after construction works, adding: “If we can’t get vehicle access after it would be the death knell”.
Councillor Sue Mallender (Green) suggested NFFC should consider giving fans free public transport with their tickets or season tickets on home matchdays to reduce cars travelling to and parking near the ground on the day.
She said residents living nearby “already suffer a huge amount” from parking problems due to the “huge amount” of fans who come by car and park “illegally”.
There was floating support in the room for a new potential pedestrian footbridge over the River Trent to deal with the increased footfall from the stadium expansion.
This is not a formal plan at this stage, would require its own separate planning application and is not included in Forest’s developer contributions.
While Cllr Matt Barney (Con) acknowledged the bridge plan is not currently formal, he speculated a new footbridge could be “highly likely” in future.
Charlotte Thompson, planning officer at the council, responded that if there was to be a new bridge one day, “we don’t know where it would be” at this stage.
Once all works across both extensions are complete – which the club aims to have complete by 2033 – the total capacity of the stadium would be 52,500.
The Reds’ expansion plans mean the Peter Taylor car park will be reduced down from 143 spaces to just nine, where on-site parking will be limited to operational staff, accessible guests and VIPs.
To mitigate the parking loss, shuttle buses from existing Nottingham park and ride sites are included in plans.
The new public plaza will connect Pavilion Road to Trentside North to allow free pedestrian movement between the two and will partly feature on the site of the reduced Peter Taylor car park.
Forest is set to pay about £4.17 million in developer contributions for the wider community, including £1.75 million towards bus services and £990,000 towards a parking restriction zone, £424,900 towards walking and cycling and £386,397 towards the Queen’s Drive and Colwick Road park and ride sites.
Councillors requested that a community liaison group be added to the developer contributions list, which would include a local representative and would feed into the transport working group.
Before the expansion takes place, the club will need to submit a plan for how it will build a new flood defence barrier by the Trent End, with the Environment Agency saying the required 25.17 metre height may need to increase in future.
Chuter Ede celebrates completion of a £9.4 million upgrade to double school places
Councillors, partners, pupils and teachers gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new, single-storey extension at Chuter Ede Primary School’s Fernwood site, near Newark. An additional 210 primary school places have been created, doubling the number of places.
This upgrade comes as part an overall £9.4m investment, made up of £5.4m from Nottinghamshire County Council’s school places programme, with housing developer contributions worth £4m.
Pupils are now benefitting from eight new classrooms, a library and music room, an activity hall, a medical room, a football pitch and new outdoor equipment.
Councillor James Walker-Gurley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management attended the celebration event. He said:
"We are delighted that this extension is now complete. Investing in our future generations is essential as young people deserve to learn in well-equipped and modern buildings to help their education.
“It’s fantastic that this project has doubled the amount of school places to help address growing demand in the area, so it’s a real boost for this community."
Headteacher Mrs Bernadette Hunter added:
“This extension represents far more than additional classrooms; it is an investment in our children and their future. Having eight new, high-quality learning spaces will allow us to provide the best possible environment for teaching and learning, supporting both our current pupils and those who will join us in the years ahead.
“It is wonderful to see our growing school benefit from facilities that match the ambition, talent and potential of our children. We are proud of what this development means for our community and excited about the opportunities it will bring for generations of pupils to come.
One of the pupils, Starling, 10, is enjoying the improvements made. She said:
“I think it's really cool and I think it's a good change as it was tiny before, but you get your steps in now!
“The classrooms are beautiful and very roomy and we have so many new things to enjoy.”
This work is being designed, project and cost-managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and delivered through its construction partner Morgan Sindall.
Daniel Maher, Managing Director at Arc Partnership, said:
“We are proud to have supported Nottinghamshire County Council in the expansion of Chuter Ede Primary School. Arc Partnership has designed, project and cost managed, alongside our construction partner Morgan Sindall, a high-quality learning environment. Now complete the school expansion will support and provide benefits to local students and families for years to come.”
The project is also provided students at Nottingham Trent University with valuable opportunities to develop their skills in architecture, technology, project management, and quantity surveying.
This has been made possible through the University’s partnerships with Arc Partnership and Morgan Sindall and has seen students participate in site visits to Chuter Ede Primary School and attend lectures focused on the project.
Chuter Ede Fernwood, an annex of Chuter Ede Primary School at Balderton, was originally built in 2012 to serve the growing number of children living in the new Fernwood estate.
Content courtesy of Nottinghamshire County Council
Man who kicked friend 'like a football' jailed for more than three years
A man who kicked another man's head "like a football" has been jailed for more than three years.
Padley Dempsey, 25, of Smithy Carr Avenue, Sheffield, launched an unprovoked attack on a friend during a night out in Worksop shortly after 6.30pm on 1 March 2026.
Earlier that evening, Dempsey had been drinking in a nearby social club and, following a brief row, was asked to leave. His friend followed him outside in an attempt to calm him down.
However, in what was described in court as a "vicious attack", Dempsey chased his friend down the street before kicking his legs from underneath him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Dempsey then kicked his friend's head "like a leather football" and repeatedly punched him until he lost consciousness.
The assault was only brought to an end when a member of the public intervened, prompting Dempsey to flee the scene.
More than a month later, on 4 April, Dempsey was involved in a second violent incident following an argument with his then-girlfriend.
Witnesses reported seeing him drag her "around like a ragdoll" before repeatedly striking her and stomping on her head.
Once again, the violence ended only when a member of the public stepped in to help.
Dempsey later handed himself in at Worksop Police Station and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 14 September, he was sentenced to three years and one month in prison.
A Worksop Response Team Spokesperson said:
"Both of these attacks were vicious and unprovoked and left the victims with visible injuries.
"Keeping our communities safe, especially women and girls, is always a top priority for the force.
"We hope this sentence offers some comfort to the victims, and we'd also like to thank the members of the public who stepped in to help on both occasions."
Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
