Riverside scheme to include wildlife

A wildlife park that would provide a habitat for kingfishers and otters could be created on Millgate Field, Newark.

The park features in plans for Millgate, Newark, drawn up by Guy St John Taylor Associates, that include 11 riverside houses, a private health clinic, and extra moorings for Newark Marina.

The plans are an alternative to an application for 69 apartments that was rejected by Newark and Sherwood District Council in the summer.

Town councillors objected to the flats because of the amount of extra traffic that would be generated.

At a planning committee meeting they supported the latest application, which will again be decided by the district council.

The 11 houses would be built on stilts to alleviate any flood risk. They would form a gated estate to protect the wildlife park. It would be open for limited tours once the wildlife was established.

A sporting injury clinic with a gym would also open on a corner of the site.

Mrs Gill Dawn said: “I think this is a much more realistic application.

“I hated the original application, but I really do welcome this one because it’s a mixture of facilities and is more sympathetic.”

Mrs Irene Brown wanted to know how soon the project could go ahead if the plans were approved by the district council.

Mr James Wilkinson, of Newark Marina, told the council they wanted to get on with the plans.

Mr Keith Rogers, director of Guy St John Taylor Associates, said: “We want to make the new buildings contemporary, but keep them in context of where they are.

“The buildings in Millgate are contemporary with their period, and we want to keep to that.”

He said they discussed the plans with Millgate Conservation Society and they had been positive.