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Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee agree to convert Ollerton offices into 17 apartments




Planners reluctantly agreed a proposal to convert offices into residential use that would have a former leader of the authority “turning in his grave.”

Outline permission was sought from Newark and Sherwood District Council to change the use of Prospect House at Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton, to residential, for conversion into 17 apartments.

Prospect House, Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton. Credit: Google Maps (41593518)
Prospect House, Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton. Credit: Google Maps (41593518)

The building, on Latimer Way, was part of former council leader Stan Crawford’s dream of a phoenix from the ashes energy village on the town’s former colliery site.

The application would also see a new apartment block built for up to 26 apartments.

Ollerton Town Council objected to the application, but the district’s professional planning officers recommended approval.

The town council objected on highways grounds, insufficient parking spaces for the residential development and no provision for disabled parking, and insufficient amenity space for leisure and gardening.

In its comments, county council highways said the amenity of residents may be an issue ­— living on a road immediately serving industrial and commercial units.

While not considered to be a highway matter, it might be for the planning committee to consider, it said.

Committee member Michael Brown said he was flabbergasted and that industrial usage would be better than housing.

Another member, Mrs Maureen Dobson, said she was very disappointed that they, as an authority, were permitting a development to convert industry to housing, adding that what was needed in the area was jobs.

“Stan, bless him, would be turning in his grave.

“His aim and objective was to create something environmentally-friendly and sustainable. Here we take one step forward and three steps back,” she said.

Committee chairman Roger Blaney said it was not in their gift because the government had promoted such possibilities to help combat housing shortages.

Yvonne Woodhead said she was disappointed, having seen “Stan’s dream coming to fruition.”

Mr Blaney said of Sherwood Energy Village: “It is still testament to Stan and all the hard work he, and others, did to bring employment to the area.”

The application was approved on a majority of nine to four.



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