Outline plans to transform Yorke Drive and Lincoln Road playing fields in Newark were approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee

Outline plans to transform and regenerate a Newark estate were approved by a council.

The Yorke Drive and Lincoln Road playing fields development master plan, drawn up by Newark and Sherwood District Council, was approved by its planning committee on Tuesday.

The proposals involve the demolition of 130 homes, with up to 320 being built in a phased development-approach.

Of the 320 homes, 100 would be affordable.

The district council received revised plans in February, to address concerns raised by Sport England and the Highways Authority.

The revised plans include the removal of two apartment blocks from the scheme to increase the playing field area by 0.1Ha and increase pitch run-off areas.

Parking provision has also been rebalanced to show a greater proportion of off street parking bays to houses.

Mrs Gill Dawn, addressing the meeting as the local member, raised concerns about the loss of green space, saying that 25% of the trees in the area would go if the scheme was to go ahead.

She also raised concerns about traffic on Lincoln Road, air pollution from the nearby industrial estate and that, upon completion, the other half of Yorke Drive should be regenerated as well.

A committee member, Mr Roger Blaney, welcomed Gill Dawn’s comments and the development focused on one of the most deprived wards in the district.

Mrs Maureen Dobson said she raised no objections to this area being developed, however, she requested deferral so some issues could be addressed.

She said: “I do have concerns about traffic flow. Lincoln Road already has traffic problems. We need to find a new access point.

“Most of the rest of the design is fine but I have a concern about social housing.

“The social housing is located near to the industrial estate, which will create nasty fumes.”

It is anticipated the earliest the programme will start is 2020 and it will take around ten years to complete.

As part of the process, formal demolition notices were served on affected council tenants.

The council has introduced a ‘resident offer’ that gives the opportunity for council tenants and home-owners who wish to remain on Yorke Drive to do so, along with providing a package of financial compensation and practical support to help residents move.