Newark and Sherwood District Council reveals plans for Ollerton Town Centre regeneration with help from UK government Levelling Up funding
Exciting plans to radically transform and regenerate a former mining town have been revealed for the benefit of residents.
The initial plans for Ollerton Town Centre will see a new public sector hub with space for the town and district councils will complement a brand-new, state-of-the-art library, boutique cinema and residential, retail and hospitality units.
In November, Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young MP visited Ollerton to announce £20m of funding for regeneration projects in the Sherwood area, through round three of the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The council are currently engaging with resident about the project before the designs are finalised in 2024.
Work on site is expected to begin in the spring of 2025, with completion and hopes of being open to the public by the summer of 2026.
The current Forest Centre on Ollerton’s high street will be demolished to create a new entrance from Forest Road and to provide a link to Tesco on Rufford Avenue and Sherwood Drive.
Inspire will be responsible for running the new library, which will feature a large range of books, adult courses, computers, online support and a meeting space for community clubs and groups.
The plans will also make use of an existing, disused brown field site and it is hoped will make Ollerton a more attractive location to visit and shop.
Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We have been working hard to develop an exciting regeneration project in the town centre that keeps Ollerton residents’ thoughts, ideas, needs and wants at the heart of the future of the town.
“The new Town Centre Hub will be vital to the residents of Ollerton, meaning they can access a range of important services on their doorstep and take advantage of new state-of-the-art facilities that all ages can enjoy.
“The plans will also reinvigorate the town and allow local businesses to grow and thrive — we are really looking forward to making these plans a reality for the people of Ollerton.
“There will be other opportunities for you to have your say and what you think of the plans as they develop throughout Spring and Summer 2024 before submitting the proposals for planning consent; more information on this process will be available on our website soon.”
Newark and Sherwood District Council are working in partnership to deliver the project alongside, Ollerton and Boughton Town Council, Johal PLC (owners of the Forest Centre), and Nottinghamshire County Council.
As well as the contribution of money through the Levelling Up fund for Ollerton, the district council has successfully secured more than £70million in grants that will help improve the other areas across the district over the next few years.
This includes £45m through the Towns Fund for Newark, £20m towards the Southern Link Road project, more than £4million through the Shared and Rural Prosperity Fund, £750k for the Accelerator Fund and £350k for the Reopening High Street Safely Fund.
The council say this investment will help to secure future opportunities for education, jobs, business and allow town centres to grow and attract wider audiences.
More information about the plans for Ollerton Town Centre can be viewed on Newark and Sherwood District Council’s website.
