Calls for a re-think on proposals for Newark's former Lilley and Stone School

Calls have been made for a stop on plans that are in the pipeline to redevelop Newark’s former Lilley and Stone School off London Road while broader ideas can be looked into.

Residents believe there are alternatives to the proposals, which include the redevelopment of two listed buildings, as well as new employment space, providing opportunities for co-working, start-ups and businesses, to be considered.

They believe there is too much focus on residential development to the rear of the site, which would enable the rest of the project to go ahead, and that the listed buildings themselves could be better used.

Under the banner of Lost to the People of Newark, residents have held two public meetings to fight the proposals and call for wider consultation.

One of them, Rowan Cozens said: “We are disillusioned this is the only thing being offered and pushed through rather quick. There is significant disquiet in the community.

“I remember the Robin Hood Hotel, Library Gardens; how they were handled and the loss of green spaces such as Flowserve, Lincoln Road and Elm Avenue.

“We feel we need a halt and the chance to be properly consulted. We have launched a petition asking that we be given the time and the chance to come up with other options.”

Rowan said the first public meeting had attracted amongst its 50 attendees architects, a town planner and accountants.

“There were a lot of brilliant ideas. It is important to get a legacy for this site as so many people remember the Lilley and Stone fondly.

"It’s a 10.5 acre site. We’re considering a big Queen Elizabeth II park."“We are a Growth Point town with 3,000 more houses coming so there needs to be something for the people to do. We’re considering a sports centre, a tennis or a dance academy, a music school or something to promote the arts.

“You only have to walk around to see the amount of empty business premises around town so do we really need more to fill?

“We feel that people have been asked poor questions loaded around these development proposals. It is a tick box operation and that people have been a bit seduced by by glossy brochures.”Rowan said that they understood the dilapidated site had problems with break-ins, anti-social behaviour and incursions by Travellers and they were keen not to see it deteriorate further but that it could be a big project for the community if done properly and they were keen to meet the trustees to talk about it.

She also recognised their ideas would need funding if homes were not going to be built, but said there would be grants and crowd-funding options.

“We’re not burying our heads in the sand. We know something needs to be done. We can’t sit around complaining we need to do something about it. This town has so much potential but it hasn’t realised that potential at all.”

The former school’s board of trustees has brought in specialist regeneration developers MLN Land and Properties to help prepare a planning application for the site.

Because the land is owned by the former school’s board of trustees, the redevelopment will result in profits from the scheme being re-invested in education in the community.

Feedback on the proposals as they stand can be given at https://lilleyandstone-redevelopment.co.uk/

Consultants MPC said public open space would be included.

They said: “This project will substantially benefit Newark beyond the delivery of much-needed new homes. The site is owned by the former school’s board of trustees.

"They have made the decision to redevelop the site and have committed to reinvesting the profits back into education within the local community. Renovating derelict land and listed buildings is a costly and difficult process.

"The new homes proposed are essential in order to provide the necessary funding to restore the listed buildings at the former Lilley and Stone School.

"Without it, the renovation work proposed would not be possible.

"The site has been redundant and derelict for years. The buildings currently make no positive contribution to the local area and the wider site, being private and secure, has never functioned as public open space.

"People living nearby have already suffered the plight of anti-social behaviour. Any delays to the proposals would only serve to increase the risk of further anti-social behaviour and make any renovation works more challenging.

“Our consultation is ongoing, and we welcome all feedback on the plans. We are considering various options for the site and understand that there are a range of views, though we have had a substantial number of positive responses from people who recognise that this scheme represents a suitable future for a historic town centre site.”