Hucknall murals to be reconsidered

Ashfield District Council is reconsidering the proposed murals on Central Walk and Chapel Street.

After listening to resident’s feedback on the designs, the Council has withdrawn the planning application for Chapel Street, and won't be implementing the design for Central Walk. The proposed mural designs were set to be painted as part of the wider programme of improvements to the pedestrian links between Piggins Croft and Hucknall high street.

The Council has now paused the project to ensure that the community is on board with the designs. The process will start again, with a fresh tender for new designs that are a similar style to the other murals that have been painted in Sutton and Stanton Hill.

John Bennett, Executive Director for Place, said:

“Following the release of the proposed designs, the strength of feeling from residents was clear. We have taken the decision to withdraw the planning application to give us time to make sure we are listening to what residents are telling us.

“It’s important that we get the designs right, so we are going back to the drawing board. We want the murals to be admired and evoke feelings of pride for years to come, and the current designs weren’t resonating with the community. The new mural in Stanton Hill has been extremely well received and is helping to create a greater sense of pride in the local community. That’s exactly what we want to see in Hucknall too”.

Central Walk, the key route to the town centre from Piggins Croft car park, received a raft of improvements over the summer including the removal of the date canopy, new pigeon prevention measures, new paving, planters, bins, benches, bike racks, lighting and a planting scheme. The upgrades aim to make the space feel safer for shoppers and businesses, encourage higher footfall and give a great first impression of Hucknall.

John Bennett continued:

“The revamp of Central Walk is so fantastic and we don’t want the mural to take away from that, it needs to complement it, providing a warm welcome to Hucknall town centre and showcasing the heritage and future potential of the town.”

Posted on 06 November 2026