Residents claim their views not considered when Newark and Sherwood District Council approved plans for homes on Ferndale Close, Ollerton
Angry residents say their views have not been taken into account after a planning application was approved, despite their concerns.
A planning application was submitted by Newark and Sherwood Homes — part of Newark and Sherwood District Council — for two houses on Ferndale Close, Ollerton.
A petition was launched against the plans, which was signed by almost every resident on nearby Bracken Avenue.
Their main concerns were that the new houses would block residents’ views, it would take away crucial parking spaces, and make it more dangerous for children.
“These two new dwellings will be in the centre of the close, being overlooked from all sides, with no real privacy at all. Who wants to live in a fish tank, being on view at all times from all sides?” said Christopher Dand, a resident who signed the petition.
According to Joanne March, one of the residents in charge of the petition, a planning officer recently went to the site and said he knew nothing about the petition.
“Why ask for residents’ views if they are not going to listen?” she asked.
Local councillor Mike Pringle said: “I find it increasingly bizarre that we can have an initial developer have their plans accepted — again assuming they have used the land as best they can see for those moving on to the development — and then see further applications put forward that infringe on the initial plans and therefore infringe on residents nearby.
“Just because we could does not mean we should, and I think more should be done to hear the residents’ voice and make this, their voice, a genuine planning concern rather than a planning consideration, when we see the interruption of a long-standing development by a smaller planned development as we see at Ferndale.”
Roger Blaney, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said: “The concerns of the petitioners were fully taken into account as part of the planning decision making process.
“The council, as an applicant, is now aware of the petition and will continue to liaise with residents in implementing the planning permission granted.”
Although the plans have been approved, residents still hope their petition is considered and the decision revoked.
