Stands and seating approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council for YMCA Community and Activity Village, Newark

Approval has been given for new standing and seating areas at the YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark.

The proposal included a 105-seat covered stand, 64-seat grandstand, keeping the existing covered stand, and installing turnstiles.

It was approved by unanimously by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee.

It had previously been said that the plans could allow Newark to hold major sporting and cultural events as large as the county championships and Newark Festival, as well as upgrading the football facilities.

“The objective here to provide seats and improve the facilities of the area, which I absolutely fully support,” said committee member Mathew Skinner

“Newark football club has been very successful in recent years and it’s annoying that I’m not able to attend as much as I’d like to, but I’d encourage anyone to do so.”

“It is a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon and evenings as well under the floodlights.”

Concerns over the application included lack of parking spaces and noise and light pollution to nearby homes.

However, the meeting was told the YMCA pitch was 250 metres from the nearest houses, limited the impact of noise.

The carpark, shared by other buildings on site, has a total of 1,145 spaces.

Committee member Laurence Goff said: “Traffic is a major problem,

“It’s a shame they don’t put more provisions for buses, get people out of their cars and also on to public transport."