Residents claim to have been ignore as approval given for Traveller and Gypsy site at Appleby Lodge, Barnby Road, Newark, by Newark and Sherwood District Council

Residents say they were ignored as controversial plans for a Traveller site were passed when a council needs to find space for 77 new pitches.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee voted to approve plans to change the use of land at Appleby Lodge on Barnby Road, Newark to provide eight Traveller pitches and two amenity buildings.

A group of over 60 residents say they were ignored by the council and were dissapointed by the decision.

Many of those who wrote letters to the council objecting to the application stated concerns over road safety at the site, which is near to Barnby Road Academy, due to the increased volume of vehicles, as well as the site sitting in the middle of a toad migratory route that would be disrupted by development.

The site will go some way to addressing the need for Newark and Sherwood to provide 169 Traveller and Gypsy pitches in the next 15 years with the immediate need to provide 77 by the end of next year.

A resident living nearby to the site spoke to the Advertiser, saying: “I know what a difficult situation this is and I would never want to deny anyone somewhere safe and comfortable to live but that goes for both the Traveller families and the residents already living here. Everyone deserves to be kept safe.”

“Traffic safety issues involved with this plan were always at the forefront of my mind — my concerns have never been racially motivated and I don't have time for anyone who has objected to the site based on discrimination.

“Anyone who lives here or who has children at Barnby Road Academy knows the volume of traffic passing through here twice a day.

“The Highways report in the planning documents simply wasn't sufficient — it brushed over a two page letter from the headmaster of the school and numerous other very real concerns from parents and residents.

“It simply mentioned that there hadn't been any accidents in three years. Are we really saying that we need a child to be knocked down before our concerns are taken seriously?

“It would have been equally dangerous for a housing development with provision for 16 vehicles to be built in that place with that access point, right by the bridge, which has poor visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

“Otherwise, we are all seriously letting down these children, including any children who come to live on the site. I really hope we can all work together to create a harmonious and safe community for everyone living here.”

The resident also spoke about the environmental impact of the development, saying: “The Wildlife Trust objected strongly with regards to the ecological impact and this was also raised by one of the planning committee during the meeting.

“The loss of green space is devastating for the local wildlife and it's a real blow to the residents who've spent 20 plus years helping the toads cross the road safely from that spot.

“The best we can now hope for is that the new residents who will be living on the site will integrate and cooperate with the residents already here and ensure that the wildlife is cared for.

“Most importantly, the children who live here and attend the school are uppermost in everyone's minds with regards to traffic safety.”