Environmental protesters and Balderton residents protest at Newark and Sherwood District Council headquarters ahead of debate on controversial housing plans at Lowfield Lane, Balderton

Concerned residents have turned out on mass to protest controversial plans to build homes on an area of green space.

Dozens of Balderton residents and members of the environmental group Protect Newark Green Spaces gathered outside of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s headquarters at Castle House.

They are protesting over plans put forward by the council’s own development company to build more than 140 homes off Lowfield Lane in Balderton — which is set to be decided at tonight’s planning committee meeting.

The plans had originally included over 150 homes, however after re-evaluation the application was amended to included more areas of green space within the proposed development.

The area of green space has been described as a wildlife haven.

Vicky Hodgson, said: “This is a great community spirit, with so many people coming together to protest.

“97% of grassland has been depleted in Nottinghamshire and greenspace is less than 2% of what it should be.

“We know that the current council have inherited a bad lot and they are trying to make the best of it. But the best would be to stop this and protect this green space for the future.”

The land at Lowfield Lane was allocated for housing back in 2013 as part of the council’s Development Plan to show that there would be adequate future housing provision.

The council say they have spent the last few years revising the plans to address concerns over biodiversity and the environment.

Protestors also expressed concern about flooding and raised the issue of over-development in the area, arguing that building more houses were not necessary.

More than 2,300 people signed a petition calling for a meeting of full council to debate the plans before a decision is taken by the planning committee, and over 110 people have written to the council about the application.

Protester and Balderton resident Alexandra Abraham was passionate in her opposition to the plans.

She said: “I can’t stand by and let this space be destroyed.

“Wouldn’t it be awful if the children of the future didn’t know what a badger was?

“Thousands of people in Newark and Balderton can see that this is wrong, so why can’t [the council]?”

Newark and Sherwood District Council will now decide whether or not to move forward with the new amended plans for Lowfield Lane.