Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee approves redevelopment plans at Checkers Farm, Thurgarton
An application to transform a former farm complex in Thurgarton has been approved by council members, some of whom described their site visit as the most interesting they had ever had.
Checkers Farm, located on Priory Road, submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood District Council to demolish existing agricultural buildings and build three new family homes in their place.
The first plot would see two two-storey brick and stone buildings erected to create a four-bed home with three parking spaces and internal double garage space and private garden area, with plot two seeing the conversion of an existing modern two-storey agricultural building into a five-bed dwelling with three external parking spaces, internal double garage, and private garden.
The third plot would also see the conversion of three existing adjoining agricultural buildings into a six-bed unit with three external parking spaces and three parking spaces in the detached garage.
Bin storage is proposed for each plot, and an area has been identified for tree planting and wild grass as part of the biodiversity enhancements.
Thurgarton Parish Council had objected to the plans, with concerns raised over traffic movements during construction and the potential impact on road users, increased traffic once the dwellings are occupied, the impact on the amenity of the nearby farmhouse, and the lack of suitable noise and disruption control measures and suitable landscaping plans.
Concerns had also been raised by residents, including Holly Grant who spoke at the meeting on Thursday (October 3) and described the impact on the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders, and dog walkers, access for farm vehicles and potential conflict with new residential dwellings, the impact of the plans of the ecology and wildlife, and flood risk.
The constant flooding and safety of the single-road track to access the site, which has no passing places to access the area, was also raised.
Council Member Celia Brooks said during the discussion: “What an interesting morning this was, visiting this site — it was one of the best we’ve had and quite impressed with the work going into it.
“I Like the look of the building, they look like barns and this is in keeping with the area.
“I agree the road is awful but that’s not something we can do anything about if highway are happy, and that’s something for the developers to sort out.
“This is an exciting project and if it’s allowed, I would love to see the finished products.”
Chairman Andy Freeman agreed that the track to the site is awful and that’s a “concern”, but that that was a matter for the land owner to address and “buyer beware” for those who looked to purchase the house.
Vice chairman David Moore also said that it was the most interesting site visit he’d ever had to date, and while again agreed that track is “awful”, hoped that access could be improved.
“It’s a beautiful scheme and an ambitious one, and for what the area is going to get compared to what’s there now, it’s a boon to the environment.”
Emma Oldham said that she felt “torn” about this application, as the applicant had done their “due diligence” on the ecological impact of the site, but the track was at risk of flooding and it would be a worry for the families living there.
But ultimately, the application was unanimously approved.
