Protect Newark's Green Spaces raise concerns after 151-home application submitted for Lowfields Lane, Balderton

Plans for 151 homes on disused fields have sparked concern from campaigners, who warn of environmental damage.

Campaign group Protect Newark’s Green Spaces (PNGS) has warned that an accessible slice of nature could be destroyed by the development.

The land, off Lowfield Lane and Marsh Lane, Balderton, is the subject of an application for a modern housing development, submitted by Newark and Sherwood District Council's in-house developer Arkwood Homes.

Campaigners compared the site to the biodiverse grasslands explored in a recent episode of BBC series Wild Isles.

The habitats were highlighted by Sir David Attenborough, who reflected on his childhood in nature.

He said: "Back then, it was easy to find hay meadows rich with wildflowers and swarming with butterflies and insects of all kinds. But since then, we have lost more than 95% of these wonderful habitats."

Now, PNGS is warning that this could be the fate of Balderton's 'very own Wild Isles' if plans for the large development are approved by the council.

“This is a beautiful spot for Newark people to enjoy an accessible slice of nature,” said a campaigner.

“Yet Newark and Sherwood District Council has submitted an application for a large housing estate. The development will decimate this crucial wildlife corridor.”

The Lowfield Lane fields are said to support a wealth of species including tawny owls and barn owls, kestrels, green woodpeckers, bullfinches, muntjac, foxes and bats.

Campaigners say it is the last medieval field system in the parish and the area is also home to a rare fungi, the Earth Star.

An ecology report in the planning application recommended further surveys for protected species and states: "Lowfield Lane Grassland, Balderton Works Meadow I and Balderton Works Meadow II are located next to the site. All three sites are designated for their botanical interest. Without protection there is potential for an adverse impact during the construction phase, because of dust, pollution, changes to drainage and direct damage from construction activity and machinery. After the construction phase there is potential for disturbance if the grasslands are accessible. Trampling of plants; nutrient input from domestic pets and disturbance / predation of fauna could have an adverse, significant impact."

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has lodged an objection to the application on this basis.

Environmental professional Des Kay said: "I manage the wildlife site on three sides of that development.

"Now known as local wildlife sites, they are quite special places for nature and this one is particularly special because it is so close to the village and we've got barn owls within 100 metres of the development.

"It's species-rich grassland, which is the exact thing that David Attenborough was telling us about last week on Wild Isles."

Des recalled the number of frogs and toads on the site can be so vast he has had to stop mowing on occasion.

While not set to be developed, Des has concerns the wildlife site will be negatively impacted by the plans.

"Effectively what you're doing is you're isolating that little pocket of ecosystem and it can't live in isolation, it is part of a big ecosystem," he added.

"If you then just cut it off you're going to get human disturbance, you're going to get predation from cats.

"Just imagine a barn owl, at the moment they can fly up and down there.

"You can't live in little disconnected pieces of nature, it just doesn't work like that."

Des added the 'really alarming' thing was that the application lacked mitigation for the wildlife ­— especially for the western edge of the development bordering the wildlife site, where Des said he sees deer, foxes and owls.

“The barn and tawny owls that breed and forage here testify to its value but if this disappears, it will be the end of them,” added Des.

“The hedgerows and mature trees provide bat roosts. We have another key species, green woodpeckers, which don’t take well to disturbance as they feed on the ground. The ecological report confirms the loss of the species rich grassland on the development site and that the damage will spill over onto the wildlife site if houses are built. Subsequent comments from other professionals are confirming this.”

Darren Riley’s family has lived in Balderton for four generations and he also raised concerns about the plans.

He said: “Lowfield Lane was my playground growing up; the whole area is folklore in my family. I used to go there with my grandad and it’s now wonderful to take my own grandson to see the meadows. People have precious memories of Lowfield Lane but that’s not important to developers, who seem set on building on people’s memories.”

A community meeting also saw around 60 people attend in opposition to the application.

Matt Lamb, the district council's director for planning and growth, said: “This land was allocated for housing in our 2013 Allocations and Development Management Development Plan Document to meet the housing needs of our local community and as set out by central government.

“No planning permission has been granted yet for this site and appropriate ecology reports and surveys must be submitted as part of the planning application process.”

A spokesman for Arkwood Developments said: “This land has been allocated for housing for a number of years and as a local housebuilder, we have put an application in to build new homes on this site.

“As with any development, ecological surveys would be completed as part of the planning process and anyone wishing to make a comment on this proposal can do so formally through the planning portal.”