Growth fears fading

Fears that up to 800 homes could be built in Southwell over the next 16 years have been allayed by a draft plan recommended for approval last night.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s proposed policy for growth in the district, discussed by its cabinet yesterday, has outlined less than half that number — 294 — for Southwell.

It means the potential rise in the population of the area will be less than 700, instead of nearly 2,000.

The draft policy will be debated and approved by full council on Wednesday.

A town and district councillor, Mr Peter Harris, said it was good news that the number of houses due to be built was not as high as expected.

But he said infrastructure would still struggle to cope.

He said: “It is encouraging to hear that there has been a small amount of alteration from what might have been.

“The town will be pleased that there are less than 800 homes scheduled, but there are still a significant number of homes proposed.”

Mr Harris was concerned that the majority of new-build would be large private housing instead of affordable homes.

An option for Southwell to be designated as a secondary focus for growth was put out for consultation last year.

Although that scenario has now been altered, Mr Harris still felt that many of the residents’ views had been ignored.

He expected the town council’s planning committee to call a public meeting to discuss the proposed policy.

The district council’s proposed policy would encourage the development of new businesses, employment and housing, including affordable homes.

The district council also wants to protect the setting of the town, including views of the minster, the ruins of the Archbishop’s Palace, and The Workhouse.

The council’s cabinet member for sustainable development and regeneration, Mr Roger Blaney, said more than 5,000 responses to the consultation were carefully considered and, where appropriate, had informed the policies it was now setting forward.

The proposed policy, which plots the development of employment and the environment up to 2026, is outlined in the core strategy document. It replaces the plan for the district that has been in place since 1999.

It is expected to be adopted by February next year.

A representation period is due to start next month before the policy is finalised and sent to the Secretary of State. It will be assessed by an independent inspector in the autumn.