New affordable rent council bungalows to be built in Bowbridge Road, Newark

Plans to build new council-owned affordable rent bungalows on land at Bowbridge Road in Newark have been approved.

The application, by Newark and Sherwood District Council, was originally submitted for six bungalows, but was reduced to five to retain a tree protected by a tree protection order.

The plans show plots 1 and 2 would have three bedrooms, while plots 3, 4, and 5 would have four bedrooms. Landscaping and open space would be provided throughout the site, and each bungalow would have two off street parking spaces, solar panels, and an enclosed garden.

The plans were heard at the authority’s own planning meeting on Thursday (October 3) and had been recommended for approval prior to the meeting, as the proposal would “contribute to the need for affordable housing within Newark, as well as the need for bungalows”.

Emma Oldham said that she thought that this was a “clever use of brownfield site” and liked that fact that all of the houses are bungalows with solar panels: “Hats off to the officers for recognising the need for the tree and saying we will have one house less, so well done.

“Two things niggle at me — the gardens are very small so I feel the grassland area is a missed opportunity to develop into something nice for residents. It could have been planted up more and a resident’s comments leapt out to me about space for mobility scooters. That’s something we need to think more about in our own developments.

“If they are bungalows it would be good to have a third of those having space for mobility scooters, but other than that I’m minded to support it.”

Linda Tift added: “That little green space is a lovely opportunity to add some benches and make it a lovely thing for the community who live there. It’s not very big but it would be a nice place for people to meet.”

Celia Brooks added that she was pleased that the bungalows had multiple bedrooms, so would be good for families.

The application was unanimously approved.