Changes to YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark waved through by planning members
Changes to a multi-million-pound sports and leisure development in Newark were waved through by district planning members.
YMCA, applicants of the Community and Activity Village on Lord Hawke Way, requested some changes to its plans — to incorporate a new pump track and skatepark, which is hoped to be world-class, and a community trail.
This will come at the expense of a tennis court, however, as well as a training loop and two carparking spaces, all of which have now been pulled from plans.
YMCA also applied to move a five-aside pitch more to the north-west of the development.
Newark and Sherwood District Council planning officer Lisa Hughes said Newark Town Council had raised no objections, neither did statutory consultee Sports England after some clarifications.
“Newark Sports Association had some concerns regarding the need for further strategies to be adopted prior to members considering this application,” she said. “And also funding in relation to the scheme.”
She added there were a lot of concerns from residents over the lake, but that these couldn’t be considered as it was not part of the application.
Planning member Laurence Goff said: “My only concern is the tennis court.
“As you probably know I’m a keen Wimbledon fanatic and I enjoy tennis, and I think it’s an easy sport to contain — most people can do it, even blind people.
“I’m sorry we are losing the tennis court but we do have other facilities in Newark.”
Chairman Roger Blaney replied: “Yes, tennis has been an element of this for a long time, but as Sport England in their latest response acknowledge, the Lawn Tennis Club are negotiating on a 50-year lease on a facility elsewhere.
“And the phrase that Sport England use about the removal of tennis from the village, is that it’s a logical change — so I take heart from that that they are not unsympathetic to the removal of tennis.
“But it’s crucial we have adequate tennis facilities within Newark, I think that will continue to be the case.”
Rhona Holloway said she was pleased to see more world-class facilities coming to the YMCA.
“With the different sports being included in the Olympics now, it’s great to see we’re adapting as a council,” she said.
The application was passed.