Flats scheme is blocked

There are growing fears that traditional colliery houses in the Ollerton area are under threat as developers look to turn them into flats.

Plans for the conversion of a traditional colliery house into two flats on Oak Avenue, Ollerton, were refused by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

Although this latest application was recommended for approval by planning officers, the committee members refused the plans as they felt it was detrimental to the amenities of neighbouring properties and to the character of the surrounding area.

Mr Ben Wells, district councillor for Ollerton and planning committee member, said these kind of developments were removing affordable housing — potentially for young families — from the market by turning the houses into flats to rent them out.

Mr Wells, leader of Ollerton and Boughton Town Council, said residents had voiced concerns to him about developers turning some of the best built colliery houses into flats.

Mr Wells also raised further concerns about the potential parking problems these kind of flats would create.

After the meeting, he said: “It is losing the tradition of the town. These colliery houses are some of the best built colliery houses in the country.

“It is putting houses that are available for first-time buyers out of the markets because they are turning them into flats and renting them out.

“It is just not on to me. It is something I can’t even describe in words how strongly I feel about it.”

The colliery houses were rented out to mine workers when the colliery in Ollerton was operating.

Other concerns raised by Ollerton and Boughton Town Council as part of the consultation for this particular planning application, included the adverse impact it would have on neighbouring properties and that it would change the character of the area.