74 homes agreed for town site

Derelict land on Parker Street, Newark, can be used for 74 homes, district councillors have agreed.

Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee approved the plans by Westleigh Development Ltd and DSC Ltd, agreeing with a recommendation from the director of growth, Mr Colin Walker.

Members were told the site was last used as a retail distribution warehouse and carpark for Mastercare Services before it moved to the South Airfield Farm site.

The developers want to use the largest part of the site for 56 lower-cost homes, made up of 34 two-bedroom and 22 three-bedroom houses.

The rest of the area would be for a mix of six one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom homes and eight three-bedroom homes. There would be 94 parking spaces.

Newark Town Council objected because they felt there was a lack of parking and were concerned the homes would add to traffic problems.

They also pointed out there was no provision for a children’s play area or green space.

Mr Walker said sensitive redevelopment of the site would bring about environmental improvement for residents.

He thought the development was appropriate for an edge of town-centre site and the layout and density closely reflected that of the existing area.

Mr Walker said it would provide a good mix of smaller and family-sized accommodation to meet local needs with most of it being genuinely affordable housing, delivered and managed in partnership with a social registered landlord.

“The site has been vacant for years and at the moment I consider it is detrimental to the amenity of the surrounding area because of its unkempt and overgrown appearance,” Mr Walker said.

“I consider this is a scheme of considerable merit and one that offers the best chance of bringing this site back into active use.”