Villagers oppose bid for 60 homes

Villagers are campaigning against plans to build 60 homes on land popular with walkers and wildlife.

Residents in Collingham have raised concerns about outline plans by Wildgoose Construction Ltd, of Chesterfield, for 60 homes behind The Hemplands.

They have formed a campaign group, Concerned Residents Of Collingham.

Mr and Mrs Michael Davies, of The Hemplands, were concerned the new development would increase traffic problems.

Mrs Jean Davies said: “People coming in and out of these new houses would have to use Swinderby Road and turn on to High Street, which is the A1133, the main route to Gainsborough.

“The junction there is very narrow so you have to pull right out to see what’s coming, which could be dangerous.

“People often park on Swinderby Road when they are picking their children up or dropping them off at school and that can cause problems too.

“Extra traffic will only add to that.”

Mrs Davies said despite a public meeting held by Wildgoose Construction many residents had not been aware of the plans until notified by CROC.

Mr Davies said they wanted the land retained as an open area for the village.

“Sixty houses is quite a lot and when you consider that each house is likely to have two cars that’s a lot of extra traffic in the village,” he said.

Mr Paul Holland said two footpaths across the field were popular with walkers and people taking their children to school.

He said: “There is going to be a road right across one of the footpaths.

“Collingham is unusual because it has these green spaces, and it is important we keep them.”

The group is encouraging residents to write to Newark and Sherwood District Council planning department with their concerns before an application is submitted.

Mrs Davies said: “This won’t only affect people who back on to it, it will affect the whole village.

“We want people to write to the council and ask them to reclassify this land as a main open space.”

More information about CROC is available by emailing croc_action @yahoo.co.uk

Wildgoose Construction did not wish to comment.