Mansfield town centre taxi office plans rejected


Calls are being made for more taxi offices in Mansfield town centre after planners rejected proposals to open a new cab base.

The proposal was to transform the a former hair salon on Toothill Lane into a taxi office, complete with waiting area.

With a fleet of five cabs, the applicant also proposed to use a car park area to the rear of the Handley Arcade to allow the cabs to wait.

Nottinghamshire County Council Highways objected to the plans, as did the police.

The police felt it could attract alcohol-related crime with revellers waiting for cabs.

But Coun Katrina Atherton said: “ As a woman and a user of the night-time economy in Mansfield, a designated taxi area, and an office you can wait safely for a taxi is a good thing.

“Violent and sexual attacks on women in our area have occurred when women can’t find a way to get home safely, more taxi’s would help with this.

“I understand members concerns about violence related to people waiting for taxis.

“I would say that it’s not the cabs that cause the violence, it’s the punters.”

Committee chairman Sally Higgins added: “The concept is fantastic, but it’s totally in the wrong place.”

Eight of the eleven planning committee members voted against the plans.

source: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/business/man ... -1-6755716

Only hairdresser on Toothill lane;
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.145478, ... AJCZDw!2e0

Although there is another inside the arcade 50yds further down;
https://www.google.com/maps/@53.145364, ... ECGElQ!2e0

About 10 yards from a Taxi rank.

Well I can't see one. A disabled bay and bus stop yes, but no rank.
Unless either the maps out of date or I've got the wrong location entirely.

However I bow to your superior local knowledge.