Newark Town Council has objected to Nottingham Community Housing Association’s new-build scheme on Chestnut Avenue playing field.

A proposed new housing development of 27 homes was criticised by town councillors at a planning meeting.

Nottingham Community Housing Association’s new-build scheme on Chestnut Avenue playing field, Newark, comprises 20 houses, six flats and a shared house.

It attracted unanimous objection from Newark Town Council, although the district council will have the final say.

The town council’s planning committee believed the application did not accord with the district council’s green infrastructure strategy, while further objections came through traffic and privacy concerns.

A passionate member of the public, from the Bridge ward area, pleaded with councillors to reject the application.

She said: “I’ve lived on Chestnut Avenue ever since I was born and it really upsets me knowing what they are wanting to build on it.

“We have a good estate. Good hard-working people live on the estate. We don’t want trouble on our field.

“My partner is a lorry driver and the only place we can take our children and our dog is that field,. It’s great to go out there after being stuck in a lorry, or stuck in an office all day.

“Everybody on the estate believes the field is there for the people of the estate.

Committee member Laurence Goff said: “The parking impact it would cause in the area would be madness. Lincoln Road already gets gridlocked and traffic is already a tremendous problem.

“I’m not sure how this can go ahead when the access hasn’t been addressed.”

Mrs Gill Dawn said: “A fire engine would not get down there — that has to be a genuine safety problem.”

The Save Green Space petition, which attracted 700 signatures, was discussed.

Mr James Baggaley said: “There isn’t a sufficient alternative green space plan allocated for the people to use.”