Newark and Sherwood District Council to decide whether IASTI be granted full planning permission
Councillors are to decide whether an aviation and space centre in Newark backed by the RAF should be granted full planning permission.
Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee will discuss the plans for the UK-first facility, IASTI Newark, on Tuesday.
The new air and space centre will be built at the former Newark Livestock Market on Great North Road including on land to its rear and front, which contains a public carpark.
The single-storey cattle market building has already been demolished.
The applicant, Lincoln College Group, wants planning permission to build a further education centre for the training of young adults within the aviation and space industries.
The International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI Newark) would cater for approximately 350 students and 40 staff.
The facility is supported by the RAF, defence and civilian industry.
The proposed overall floorspace would be 3,600sqm over three floors. Within the workshop and hangar would be an aeroplane and a wing canopy project.
A report prepared for the planning meeting states: “The outputs and outcomes of the IASTI will have a multitude of positive impacts on Newark and the region in both the immediate and long terms.
“It will provide specialised skills training, develop an industry cluster, encourage exciting developments in the supply chain, and enhance the infrastructure of Newark.”
This includes providing opportunities for Newark’s residents, attracting new businesses and students to the town and enhancing the town’s vitality.
“The IASTI proposals will do much to anchor the existing Further and Higher Education (FE/HE) provision in the area,” the report states.
The building design has been influenced by different elements of the aircraft industry, both historic and modern. The south and east elevation being influenced by hangers. The west elevation has been influenced by the ‘ribbon’ of windows seen on a passenger aircraft.
The roof will reflect the stacking of aircraft tail fins.
The main entrance to the building would face towards Great North Road. It is intended the carpark would be incorporated into the IASTI campus and would serve as the carpark for the facility. It would be open for use by the public at evenings and weekends.
Council planning officers have recommended councillors approve the application when they meet next week.
Officers concluded: “The site is considered to be a sustainable location for the nature of the use proposed with good public transport options.
“IASTI would provide social and economic benefits to Newark and the wider area. The proposed building would be modern in its design and appearance and would form a key landmark building on entry into Newark.
“The application is not considered to result in any unacceptable impacts upon the setting of heritage assets, archaeology, highway safety, flood risk, trees, ecology or visual amenity, subject to conditions.”
