Growth on the agenda

A draft plan allowing for nearly 8,000 new homes to be built in the Newark and Balderton area over the next 16 years was recommended for approval last night.

The first homes could be built in two year's time according to Newark and Sherwood District Council's proposed policy for growth in the district, which was discussed by its cabinet yesterday.

It could mean about 18,000 more people will be living in the Newark and Balderton area by 2026. The overall population of the district could increase by nearly a quarter in that time.

The growth will be focussed at three strategic sites - land south of Newark, land east of Newark, and land around Fernwood.

The council's proposed policy, which also plots the development of employment and the environment, is outlined in its core strategy document, which replaces the plan for the district that has been in place since 1999.

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