Nottingham family launch petition to save business facing devastating closure

The Notts Maze has been operating for four years at the large site offering a range of different activities from laser tag to archery to outdoor cinema along with a giant maize maze. The popular venue has grown a huge fan base in Nottingham of locals who love the scenery and the events at the site which have included torchlight maze tours.

Aaron and Carolyn Cowley have launched a petition on Change.org and through Facebook asking the community and customers to sign it in support to prove to the Gedling Borough Council planning department and committee that they should be allowed to stay open. As a small business, The Notts Maze provides local jobs and uses Nottingham businesses to provide services such as food.

The team have submitted a full planning permission application which would change the use of the land from agricultural to one that could support outdoor sports. However, time is running out with a decision due to be made last week it would mean that the business will be forced to close in the next month. The effect of the situation has had a devasting effect on the family members.

Speaking with Nottingham World, the Directors of the business, Aaron and Carolyn Cowley explain what this will mean in the future.

“We have been here since 2018 and never had a complaint about our events. Last year, we hired out the land to different companies for festivals but the council received some complaints which is when they came to visit us in August,” Carolyn said.

“It was decided that there was a change of us needed on the land which is where the planning came in. We had been trying to speak to them since 2020 to do that but never heard anything back. We put in a full planning application in November but it wasn’t picked up until February time.”

Aaron added: “The biggest problem that Gedling Borough Council have got is that it doesn’t justify us being up there to allow planning to go ahead on the greenbelt. They originally asked us to remove or clamp containers and we’ve offered to run silent outdoor cinemas with things along those lines.”

The planning date for the report on the future use of Notts Maize Maze was last week but a refusal was lodged meaning it will now go to the planning committee. If planning permission is granted, the business will be allowed to stay, if not, it could be game over for the entertainment site. It couldn’t have come at a worst time for the business as the warmer weather means more visitors and events for the maze.

Carolyn said: “It will go to the committee so hopefully we will get some support there. If they vote for us, then we will be granted permission but if it's refused, it's practically the end game for us. It is not the easiest thing to move and it would destroy our season. We would lose the business and at least six jobs.”

The full planning permission application that has been submitted would change the site from agricultural land use to D2 land which allows sports and recreation. This would cover the options that are already being run on the land such as laser tag, the archery, the outdoor cinema, and the labyrinth maze events.

The team have always worked with local businesses and services to provide facilities and events at the Maze. This has led to the Huldra horror festival which is held annually in the Forest along with local pizza makers.

“We have always tried to work with local businesses and the community. We are just trying to bring something to the borough but we don’t feel we are being supported by the actual council itself. Venues like this should be encouraged because why should you have to drive for 45 minutes to go to laser tag when there is one here on your doorstep?” Aaron said.

Local supporters have been quick to sign the petition as there are many fans of the maize maze.

“We try to bring in new and different things while employing local people who live within a three-mile radius. It’s really sad and it seems like it's not going our way. We set up the petition for local support which we will submit to the committee at some point. We have had over 700 signatures in under 24 hours so you can see we have received a lot of support from the general public.”

The personal effect on the family-run business has been immediate and devasting

“It’s been horrible and we are crying nearly every single day. It’s soul-destroying as it's our full-time job and my mum’s half-time job. We are a family business so its everything and our whole livelihood. It’s just been ripped apart in front of us and we genuinely don’t know what we have done,” Aaron said.

“We are just trying to do something for our local community to try to get people together. Our mental health in the family has not been good at the moment. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights and it has put a strain on everyone and everything including relationships.”

Gedling Borough Council Spokesperson told Nottingham World: “The activity centre at Lime Lane has evolved in the Green Belt without planning permission. Should permission have been sought at the outset, it would not have been granted due to the impact it has upon the openness of the Green Belt. The council’s position is set out in the published reports, due to be considered by Planning Committee next week.”