New homes plan raises traffic concerns

Traffic issues were the main concern as town councillors objected to plans for 62 homes off Bowbridge Road, Newark.

Developers Westgate are proposing the development for the former Bearings site — between the Co-operative store and Fisherman’s Catch chip shop.

There would be a range of homes, from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses.

The plans have been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council, which will decide the application, and consider local views, including those of Newark Town Council.

Nottinghamshire highways department commented on the application as a fellow consultee.

Because of the amount of parking on Bowbridge Road it recommended the introduction of a waiting restriction for motorists to protect visibility and two-way traffic flow.

Members of the town council planning committee, however, criticised the highways response and argued that the impact on traffic in the area would be more severe.

Mr David Lloyd said: "Highways’ comments fall well short of what they should be.

"Bowbridge Road is already a very difficult road as it stands and I don’t feel it can go ahead with the current parking situation.

"People have nowhere else to park and the visibility for drivers using that road would only become more difficult.

"There seems to be an assumption that people have only one car per household but that very often isn’t the case."

Mr Keith Girling said: "I am disappointed with Nottingham-shire County Council highways.

"It is like they have looked at Google Maps with no appreciation of the impact of their decision."

The town councillors also objected to the application because they didn’t feel enough was being done to replace several trees, including eight with a Tree Protection Order, that would be removed.

The councillors did agree, in theory, the plans for the new homes would be a good use of the land, which is unused and overgrown.