Newark and Sherwood District Council approves plans for 45-house development on former agricultural and allotment land in Southwell

Controversial plans for 45-house development on former agricultural and allotment land in Southwell has been approved in its seventh iteration.

The application — lodged by Cameron Homes Ltd, Sir John Starkey, Keith Maxey, Katherine Maxey, John Judson, Ann Judson, and Richard Mullard — will see a mixture of detached, semi detached, and terraced properties and bungalows, with associated green spaces and a children’s play area, on land to the rear of The Vineries, Lower Kirklington Road.

The application was deferred for further negotiation with the developer during Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee on Thursday, August 1, as some members had raised concerns regarding the tree and ecological impacts and whether the housing mix reflected the local housing need.

Concern was also raised regarding the size and siting of Plot 37, and after further negotiation with the developer, this plot has been changed from a five-bedroom to a three-bedroom house with upstairs study, and increased the level of planting between it and the two adjacent properties which would now be located within the management company control.

The plans were discussed once again at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee meeting on Thursday (September 5), where it was said by members that the applicants had “worked positively” with officers to achieve a good scheme that delivers this allocated housing site, and the view was that there were “no reasonable grounds” for refusal.

Chairman Andy Freeman moved the application to be approved, and said: “I’m content as chairman that the reasons for the reconsideration of this — the tree ecological impact, lack of written comment, housing mix and neighbourhood plan and the size and sighting of plot 37 accurately reflect the reason for the deferral.”

Agent Neil Cox said at the meeting that a “constructive” meeting had been held with Southwell Town Council and neighbouring properties to resolve the issues.

Southwell Town Council has maintained its objection to the plans through multiple alterations, due to inconsistency in plans, design layout, ecology issues, flood risk, and highways issues.

Peter Harris said: “I thank the agent for starting to listen and I’m encouraged by that and supported by residents.

It’s a shame that it’s taken seven iterations in order to achieve it, and I do hope they understand concerns of neighbours. I think this plan is closer to not entirely to neighbourhood plan, so in many ways, issues addressed and raised at last meeting have been addressed.”

He also expressed his concern over flooding and the potential loss of trees if they are not maintained, and asked for clarification on these conditions.

Penny Rainbow also expressed concerns over ecology and landscape, the amount of cars which would be seen in front of people’s houses, flooding, and the loss of trees, and proposed refusal, with Mr Harris seconding:

“This is so far removed from our neighbourhood plan, why on earth is it recommended for approval?” she said, “Many trees are having to be chopped down and people’s forecourts are going to look like We Buy Any Car, many haven’t got garages and there are still concerns about privacy on neighbouring houses. I propose refusal.”

The application was then put to the vote, with the members voting in favour of approval.