Plans to make Newark Traveller site permanent criticised by town council
Planning applications for two Traveller sites in Newark have been criticised due to significant flooding concerns.
Members of Newark Town Council's planning committee met to discuss the plans for Parkview caravan park and Shannon Falls on Tolney Lane.
The application for Parkview sought to permanently change the use of the former abattoir site and paddock into a Gypsy and Traveller caravan site, with the removal of several conditions.
Temporary permission for the land was granted back in 2018, which expired on November 30, 2021.
Conditions noted at the time of the original application stated there must not be any more than 15 caravans on the land at any one time and that the site must be returned to its former state once the occupants left.
The site is located within flood zones 3a and 3b and is at a high risk of flooding, something noted in comments by the Environment Agency.
In a letter submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council, the Environment Agency said: "We consider the risks to this site to be too significant to allow permanent ‘highly vulnerable’ development to proceed, without further work to reduce flood risks to the site beforehand."
Committee members agreed with the Environment Agency's comments.
Planning member Johno Lee said: "I can't support this chairman. The environmental agency have made it clear that there is a danger to risk of life on this site.
"I understand that in the past they have been given temporary permission because Newark and Sherwood District Council are not meeting their land supply for Travellers.
"For me, I couldn't put children and families at risk by allowing them to stay on the site where there is danger to life."
Councillors also discussed giving Shannon Falls temporary permission for a three-year period. It currently is an illegal site.
However, similar concerns were raised over flood risks and site access points.
Committee members unanimously objected to both applications.