Planning application for Traveller pitches at Appleby Lodge, Barnby Road, Newark approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council

Plans for a change of use of land to provide eight Traveller pitches and two amenity buildings have been approved.

Archie Smith submitted the application for the site at Appleby Lodge, Barnby Road, Newark, to Newark to Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Many nearby residents opposed the application over ecology and traffic concerns. The site is near a toad migratory route.

However, it was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee.

The meeting was told Newark and Sherwood needed to provide 169 Traveller and Gipsy pitches in the next 15 years with the immediate need to provide 77 by the end of next year.

This application would provide eight caravan pitches – four pitches either side of a central access road.

Two bungalow-style amenity buildings would also be built to serve the community.

Committee member Johno Lee said: “I’m very sympathetic I just don’t think this is in the right location I believe the town council has objected, unless it has changed its stance.

“It is an interesting one because we know from anybody in that area it is a very difficult road. I do have major concerns about adding any more vehicles to that road and that bridge in particular, I really do.”

Mr Lee also raised concerns about allocating school places for children in comparison to the number of Traveller pitches the district is asked to provide.

“We are expected to provide all these extra pitches and I think we should do, however, our services are being stretched as it is and we know that these sorts of provisions do not add money as a development would do to increase children’s places,” he said.

Another committee member, Emma Oldham, said: “The area in general for Traveller families is great, you know they have got really good facilities in the town centre and that there are a lot of schools in the area.

“I’m more concerned about the ecology side of things.

“At the minute the site is acting as a really strong green corridor for safe passage of these species (toads and newts) along many of the wildlife.

“Obviously, with the increase in vehicles and barriers, it will have a negative impact on the wildlife and deaths.

She suggested the new residents work with community volunteers to help toads and news cross Barnby Road during the migration season, which was written as advisory.

The site was anonymously approved

The applicant, Archie Smith, who was present at the meeting, thanked the councillors present for their approval.