Arkwood Developments has submitted plans for ‘greener’ development on Lowfield Lane, Balderton ahead of Newark and Sherwood District Council planning meeting

Plans for a new ‘greener’ development in Balderton have been submitted ahead of the district council’s planning meeting next week.

Arkwood Developments has submitted plans for its housing development on Lowfield Lane ahead of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee meeting on Monday (November 11).

The developers have promised that the proposed 141 homes are environmentally sympathetic, with “ecology and quality homes at its heart”.

The plans had seen the number of houses reduced from 151 homes in order to protect existing habitats, and include a mix of new and existing planting, hedgerows, and trees across the site.

Green open surface water drainage solutions to the roadsides have been incorporated, as well as green corridors throughout the site, log pile habitats, and a large surface water retention pond.

Planting, bee bricks, bat boxes, and a variety of nest boxes for birds including Swift Bricks, Swallows, Sparrows and more have also been included in the plans.

Arkwood’s proposal also support aspirations for carbon net zero, with the timber frames constructed using an offsite manufactured timber frame solution, while the homes themselves producing at least 31% less carbon emissions than other comparable homes through the installation of PV solar panels to all homes where possible, and EV charging points will also be installed.

Andy Dewberry, managing director of Arkwood Developments, said that the developers had worked closely with an ecologist to assess the site and its existing habitat to find out what was needed to retain its biodiversity:

“We know that the site on Lowfield Lane was allocated for housing in 2013 and there were many developers interested in building homes on it,” he said.

“However, we recognised immediately that this is no ordinary site and that both careful consideration and attention were required to safeguard the site’s natural habitat and deliver a greener and environmentally friendly solution.

“This has seen ecological and green elements at the forefront of our plans while ensuring that all homes are of our excellent standard.

“We know that local people don’t want homes crammed into this space just to maximise on profit, and that is certainly not what we are about.

“Over the last three years, we have continually developed plans for this site based on many consultations and meetings with residents, local councillors, and green advocates. This is really important to us.”

A protest is set to take place at 3.30pm at Castle House ahead of the district council planning meeting by campaign group Only Wildlife On Lowfield (OWL).

The group held a peaceful ‘Join Hands’ protest back in September against the development over concerns about flooding in the area and the lack of infrastructure, public services, and dangers from the increased traffic flow, as well as the impact on biodiversity.

One of the organisers, Vicky Hodgson said: “There is a lot of feeling about this development among local people, and this is a culmination of 18 months of not feeling listened to.

“Anyone is welcome to join us, the more the merrier, we want to be a visible presence to let the councillors not from Newark know the depth of feeling regarding the application.”