MORE tall buildings could create a 'Berlin Wall' dividing one area of Nottingham from the city centre, it is feared.

A proposed guide for the development of the city suggests a 'tall building zone' around Huntingdon Street and the Eastside regeneration area, both of which sit between the city centre and St Ann's and Sneinton.

Residents' groups are urging the city council to think carefully about the proposals in the Urban Design Guide.

Nottingham Civic Society chairperson Hilary Silvester said: "It would cut St Ann's and Sneinton off physically and socially. It has already happened to some extent all the way down Huntingdon Street."

The Civic Society previously produced a DVD, called The Long View, in which Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson warned against creating a divide in Nottingham, with commerce and financial wealth on one side and an "exclusion zone" on the other.

Mr Simpson said allowing a concentration of tall buildings poses the risk of creating what he called a "Berlin Wall".

The issue was debated last year at a public inquiry into the building of a 14-storey apartment block in Brook Street, in the city centre.

Mat Anderson, of the Victoria Park Tenants' and Residents' Association, which represents people living to the east of Huntingdon Street, described the Urban Design Guide as a "total mistake."

He said: "I thought this matter had been settled. It seemed the argument against tall buildings to the east side of the city was a no-brainer.

"Nottingham desperately needs more sensitive developments in tune with the needs of the community."

The Civic Society is compiling a response to the Urban Design Guide, which will be sent to the city council's planning department.

Civic Society members support the idea of a development guide, but are against too many tall buildings.

Coun David Mellen, who represents the Dales ward at Nottingham City Council, and Coun Dave Liversidge, who represents St Ann's, pointed out that the guide does not say anything about views of the city from the east.

Speaking at the council's committee meeting for the area this month, Coun Mellen said: "The views from Sneinton and St Ann's are important. The view from the windmill into the city, and from the city to the windmill, are perhaps some of the most important.

"If you could put some tall buildings around the incinerator I would be really happy."

Coun Liversidge said: "Given that St Ann's and Sneinton are to the east and south of the city, there tend to be shadows from the west, and I would like to ensure that people's use of parks and open spaces is not interrupted."

caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk