Homes agreed on factory site

The jobs of more than 300 workers look secure following a decision to allow a multi-million pound development on a factory site.

The owners of Flowserve Pump Division on Hawton Lane, Balderton, want to build a new £18m factory to replace the current premises, which they say are outdated.

To help pay for the work they need to use part of the site for housing.

A planning application was rejected by officers of Newark and Sherwood District Council in November because they were concerned there was not enough low-cost housing included, there was a lack of play space and sports areas and not enough room between the factory and the new homes.

A revised plan was put before the planning committee on Tuesday with a recommendation from the head of planning, Mr Mike Evans, that it be accepted. The members agreed.

Mr Evans said the company had considered moving elsewhere.

It had decided to stay on the current site but said it was essential they updated the factory.

Mr Evans said work would continue in the old factory while the new one was being built.

It will be demolished once the new building is completed and that area would then be used for housing.

Mr Evans said the council normally asked for 30% of homes on this type of development to be low-cost homes.

But he said that figure had been reduced in the past where it was felt it was justified and it was acceptable that 10% of the homes should be low-cost in this case.

“I am satisfied that this proposal represents a genuine attempt to retain the Flowserve operation in Newark and that their own financial constraints are such that the company would not continue to operate in Newark in any other way,” said Mr Evans.

There are 210 homes planned for the site.

There will be a village green, two football pitches, a training area and children’s play area.

The deputy leader of the council, Mr Roger Blaney, supported the application and accepted the lower number of low cost homes.

But he said that because the number of new homes had not been finalised the company should be told that they must build 21 low-cost homes or 10% of the total, whichever was greater.

He also questioned the need to create a new access to the site further to the west on Hawton Lane towards the former railway bridge that would mean a protected oak tree would have to be felled.

He said the current access could be used.

Mrs Sue Saddington and Mr Brian Smith agreed about the access.

Mrs Saddington said it would make it more dangerous to move the access closer to the bridge, and Mr Smith said he did not want to see the 300-year-old oak felled without good reason.

“I support the application but I am not in favour of losing the tree,” said Mr Smith.

“It is an important part of the landscape.”

Mrs Marika Tribe said the Flowserve development was good news for both Newark and Balderton.

“Flowserve is very active in the community and I hope they remain there and are successful for many years in the future,” she said.