Newark residents’ strong opposition to Bildurn plans to development grade-two listed former Lilley and Stone school site on London Road

Residents have reaffirmed their defiant stance of opposition to a new housing development at the Lilley and Stone School.

Ever since plans were first announced to develop the former school site in 2022, there has been strong opposition from residents.

Many of those opposed to the site banded together to form the Lilley and Stone Site in Peril Community Organisation (LASSIPCO).

LASSIPCO’s main belief is that the site is a community asset and must be used for the benefit of residents and young people in the area — when contacted, a group spokesman said their stance remains unchanged.

But now another group of residents is speaking out after plans for the site were officially submitted last week.

The developers, Bildurn, say these plans will provide up to 130 homes for the area, both through new builds and the development of listed buildings on site into flats.

A number of councillors sitting on the Lilley and Stone Charity board of trustees also subsequently resigned as trustees over the plans.

In a statement on behalf of many who are opposed to development, the residents say: “Until its recent sale, the Lilley and Stone School site on London Road was held in trust by a charitable board. The site was always to be used for the benefit of local youngsters.

“In the seven or eight years since the school closed the board of trustees have done little.

“The site has lain unused and the all-weather playing field, the superb gym and all the listed buildings have become run-down.”

The group added: “There are many concerns over the actions of the trustees and the disposal of the Lilley and Stone School site that have yet to be answered.

“The trustees and their agents have refused to respond to any enquiries and all offers of help have been ignored.

“It is understood that an official complaint has been made to the Charities Commission regarding the trust.”

Bildurn did hold a public consultation to gather concerns which they said would help them to develop the plans for the 10.5-acre site.

As the plans were submitted, the developer claimed new homes were necessary for the area and that the current state of the site could not be a long term solution as it is a regular target of anti-social behaviour and crime.

In response, the resident group said: “They claim that building a housing estate is the only solution for the school site, but this assertion is baseless.

“The need for more houses nationally is unquestioned — but with the large housing developments around Newark and the conversion into apartments of Newark town centre locations such as the old textile factory on Victoria St, the old antiques centre on Albert St, the industrial building on Millgate, the Castle and Warwick breweries and the old Marks and Spencer building on the Market Square, Newark is hardly in need of more town centre housing.

“We do need to make the best use of the Lilley and Stone site and protect its urban green space.

“Bildurn have paid lip-service to the principle of public consultation. They claim wide public engagement with 300 responses, but haven’t acknowledged how many responses were against the proposal.

“Concerns raised in these ‘consultations’ prompted Bildurn to make minor changes to their plan.”

A major concern raised by residents was the additional level of traffic traffic once the development is complete, with cars forced to exit onto London Road or Harewood Avenue adding to existing congestion issues in the town centre.

The residents say they are not opposed to redevelopment, but that the current plans were not suitable and asked the developers to take their suggestions on board.

“Those opposed to the building of a housing estate on the Lilley and Stone site recognise that it must be redeveloped,” they said.

“With a bit of imagination and the involvement of public and private investment this valuable site could be profitably transformed with a development partner to benefit the whole community.

“Revitalisation of the site could provide the location, for example; a residential music college, an acting school, a dance centre, a centre for the teaching of practical skills.

“With the gym still in reasonable condition the site is ideally suited for the building of a sporting and tennis academy.

“Perhaps the listed buildings could also be used to house facilities, such as GP surgeries and dental practices, to support the growing population on the outskirts of Newark.

“There is no reason why revival of the site should not include some housing. It is the ideal location for a small development of supported living accommodation.

“Perhaps Newark and Sherwood District Council could take the opportunity to showcase the very latest in eco-friendly housing.

“Planning permission for a housing estate may already have been requested — should planning be approved, an important urban green space, home to some rare and protected species will perish, and a valuable asset for the future of local people will be lost forever.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee will have the final say on whether or not the plans are approved, when they are due to be discussed later this year.

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Bildurn confirmed that: “whilst the trustees retain a financial interest in the site’s redevelopment, they are not actively involved in the planning process or the ongoing maintenance of the site”.