Newark and Sherwood District Council rejects plans for home near cottage with Kate Greenaway connections

Plans for three new homes near a historic cottage, once home to a 19th Century artist, have been rejected.

A decision on the application for the houses behind Ullyats Cottage was deferred by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee in April.

Some argued the building, on Fiskerton Road, Rolleston, was of historical importance because of its connection to Victorian artist and illustrator Kate Greenaway.

Applicant Nottinghamshire County Council also wanted to realign a public footpath and remove a beech hedge, which would narrow the main road next to it. Highways had no objections.

The plan was brought to committee due to concerns of over-intensification, which would result in a change to the character of the village.

Newly-recruited tree officer Shaun Davies said a tree on the site had a provisional protection order placed upon it, but due to the constraints of the site and its potential future impact on amenity, it would probably have to come down.

Planning officer Lisa Hughes said: “After a tree has been assessed and order been placed, the officer still has the requirement to assess the impact of those trees on the development.

“It is considered because of the constraints of the site, three dwellings is likely to definitely impact on those trees. Such will be a request in the future for the loss of those trees. Hence the change of officer recommendation from approval to refusal.

“We have tried to engage through the agent in terms of reducing to two but they have confirmed they want three.”

There were objections by Rolleston Parish Council and three from members of the public.

The parish said: “The proposals were deemed to represent an over-intensive development of the site which would also have a detrimental impact on the setting and viability of the adjoining property, Ullyats Cottage, which has significant local historic and cultural importance. Wider concerns were also raised in respect of an inadequacy of safe car parking, loss of footpath amenity and provision of adequate servicing.”