Growth policy approved

A draft document that will guide the development of Newark and Sherwood over the next 16 years was approved by councillors on Wednesday.

The district council's proposed policy for growth, which allows for nearly 8,000 new homes to be built in the Newark and Balderton area, was supported with an overwhelming majority.

Only four councillors, all Liberal Democrats, voted against the Core Strategy document, which also plots the development of employment and the environment of the district up to 2026.

A further four abstained from voting.

The approval by full council means the draft document can now be published, by the third week of April at the latest, before a six-week representation period up to the end of May.

The final document will go before full council in mid-June and sent to the Secretary of State. A hearing will be held in September by an independent inspector and, providing the document is found to be sound, it will be adopted by January.

See Friday's Advertiser for the full story.