A ROW is brewing over land needed for an extension to Nottingham's tram system.

Nottingham City Council needs a piece of land in Wilford as part of its NET Phase Two plans.

But the land is owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council, which is unhappy at the deal it is being offered.

The 23,840 sq m plot the city council needs runs along an embankment which is part of the former Great Central railway corridor. It is used as a walkway.

The city council has to offer another plot of land in return and is prepared to hand over 29,671 sq m of low-lying agricultural land to the east of Fairham Brook and south of Silverdale.

For the city to be granted an Exchange Land Certificate, it must prove the land being offered is "not less in area" and is "equally advantageous" to the users and the public.

Rushcliffe will tell a public inquiry, which starts tomorrow, that the difference in quality of the pieces of land means it is not a fair swap.

The city will argue it is offering a "more than equal" deal and that no existing users of the space in Wilford will be disadvantaged. It also says 7,149 sq m of the land would be returned after a public footpath is built.

NET development manager Chris Deas said: "We welcome the public inquiry. It is an important next step.

"Stakeholders will be able to present their evidence to an independent inspector through an open and accountable process focused on assuring the public good of the people of Nottingham."

Paul Randle, deputy chief executive at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: "The proposal is that, in order for the tram to come into Rushcliffe, a quiet, accessible, wildlife haven along the embankment in Compton Acres, which is widely used by residents, would be compulsorily purchased.

"In exchange, we get a barren field in Silverdale which is not in Rushcliffe and which would not be used by our residents."

The inquiry, at the Notts County football ground, Meadow Lane, starts at 10am.

Land transfer for NET Phase Two's other proposed line, to Beeston via Chilwell, was not contested by Broxtowe Borough Council.

The inspector is also due to reopen the main inquiry that was heard in November and December last year.

This inquiry, on Thursday, under the Transport and Works Act, will be limited to considering the significance of bird populations on the site of the proposed Clifton park and ride.

This is after Barton-in-Fabis Parish Council made claims to the Secretary of State that the proposed Clifton park-and-ride area is a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (Sinc) because it is used by more than 1,550 golden plover.

Notts Biological and Geographical Record Centre has since confirmed the land has never been a Sinc and, under current criteria, would not qualify.

Both inquiries will be chaired by Inspector Robert Barker, who chaired last year's inquiry.