Holiday Inn Express hotel bid off the A46 at Farndon thrown out by Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee
A controversial £13m hotel-led development was unanimously refused by planners who believed the location was inappropriate.
The proposal, by Harlaxton Estates, was situated off the A46 Farndon roundabout, on the green space between Fosse Road and the A46.
Made up of six units, it was set to include a 103-bedroom Holiday Inn Express hotel, a petrol station, a café, two three-storey office blocks and an electric charging station.
The chairman of Farndon Parish Council, Mr Mick Baker, led the fight against the proposal at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee meeting.
He pointed towards what he said were flaws in traffic, parking, flooding, archaeology, ecology as well as environmental-based issues in the application as reasons for refusal.
He said the village had already made its views clear, referring to 200 villagers filling Farndon Hall to voice their frustrations.
He highlighted traffic as the most serious concern, which would cause distress to villagers who already deal with tailbacks towards Flintham at peak times.
Mr Roger Blaney, chairman of the planning committee, said: “The economic benefits do not out-weight the other benefits in this application.
“I’ve never seen so many people turn up to a consultation meeting, which shows the public opinion is against the application.
“It is better suited towards other places in Newark.”
Mr Keith Walker said he knew the area, having lived in Farndon for 47 years
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people against an application as this one,” he said.
Mr Johno Lee said: “We have to treat this area like an ancient building, it needs to be protected."
Newark Business Club were in support on its economical benefits.
It was said £480,000 would be brought into the district annually through the development, while it would have created 390 permanent jobs on completion, and 150 jobs during construction.
