Relief as Gipsy site is scrapped
A proposed Gipsy site opposed by nearby residents has been dropped from the council’s development blueprint.
Land off Barnby Road, Newark, was identified in Newark and Sherwood District Council’s development options report as a possible site for 15 Gipsy and Traveller pitches.
However, comments submitted to the council in its consultation overwhelmingly opposed the proposal and the landowners have now decided they don’t want to make it available.
The council’s consultation summary document said: “It was the proposal to put a site down Barnby Road which caused the most controversy of the consultation.
“Of those who responded, the vast majority felt the site was totally inappropriate.
“The main reason related to traffic problems in the area, caused by the nature of Barnbygate and Barnby Road and the presence of the Barnby Road Academy near to the site.
“Many felt that due to the site’s access, the generation of further traffic was not appropriate in this area. Other issues raised related to the potential flooding on the site, the impact of the East Coast Main Line to the north of the site and the Sustrans cycle route to the west of the site.
“The site was also important for wildlife including toads using the site to migrate. Many people questioned that if the site was not suitable for normal housing why it was suitable for a Gypsy and Traveller site.”
Newark town councillors Mr Stuart Wallace and Mr David Lloyd advised residents who wanted to oppose the proposals.
Mr Wallace said: “I am pleased it has been dropped because from the outset we did not think it was an appropriate site.
“It is prone to flooding and is off a very narrow road so it is in the wrong position. People made their complaints and observations and they has been accepted by the planning team, and the landowners have said they don’t want it.
“I understand the council has to find a certain number of pitches but there is still the Tolney Lane site and the sites at Ollerton.”
The district council has a pitch target of 84. Forty five have been granted and the development document outlined 44 other possible sites.
Proposals to provide further pitches at Church View and land north of Ropewalk Farm, both at Tolney Lane, Newark, were due to be discussed by the council’s cabinet today.
