Hotel front could be all that remains
The long-running controversy over the future of three cottages listed for protection on the former Robin Hood Hotel site in Newark could soon be over.
Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee on Tuesday agreed that a planning condition over the extent of retention and demolition of the buildings could be partially discharged, subject to referral to the National Planning Casework Unit.
As long as the unit did not decide that the application needed to be determined by the Secretary of State the developers, M. F. Strawson Ltd, would be allowed to demolish most of the cottages, leaving just the front and east gable.
Mr David Payne argued that the Grade II listed cottages, which used to be part of the hotel, should not be demolished.
He said the developers had entered into an agreement with the district council to refurbish the cottages and they should have to stick to that.
“English Heritage opposes this application and says that substantial harm would be caused to the buildings,” said Mr Payne.
“In my view the buildings warrant listed status.”
Mr Payne said Newark’s heritage gave the town added value and the application should be rejected
Mr Tom Bickley seconded the motion to refuse the application, but other councillors disagreed.
The council leader, Mr Roger Blaney, said he was proud of what had been created on the Potterdyke site, which includes the Asda supermarket, but said they had reached the point where the scheme needed to be completed to improve the Cartergate end.
“We have to accept economic reality,” he said. “I think people in Newark would say get on with it, retain the facade and make that corner something we can be proud of.”
Mr Ben Wells said the hotel remains were the biggest eyesore around and Newark deserved better.
Mr John Peck said he had previously voted against demolition, but felt it was now time for compromise.
The district director of growth, Mr Colin Walker, recommended that the application be approved. He said the extent of repair and refurbishment of the cottages had far exceeded what had been expected.
He said he was concerned the site could potentially be mothballed indefinitely, making existing retail units difficult to let because of the unsightly appearance of the remaining piece in the jigsaw of regeneration of that part of the town.
He said: “The public benefits of bringing the Robin Hood buildings back into use and effectively completing the overall Potterdyke regeneration scheme are of such significance as to outweigh the laudable aims of retaining and refurbishing the Robin Hood cottages in their entirety.”
