Environmental protesters call on Newark and Sherwood District Council to hold full council debate on controversial housing plans at Lowfield Lane, Balderton

Dozens of residents have turned out to protest a council’s decision not to discuss controversial plans to build homes on green space.

Concerned Balderton residents and the environmental group Protect Newark Green Spaces gathered outside of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s headquarters at Castle House ahead of tonight’s full council meeting.

They are protesting over plans by the council’s own development company to build more than 150 homes off Lowfield Lane in Balderton — an area of green space which has been described as a wildlife haven.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition calling on the council to debate the plans in advance of a final decision being made by the planning committee.

Usually, petitions with more than 1,000 signatures would trigger a debate at full council. However, it has been confirmed that the Lowfield plans will not be discussed tonight.

The council said that because the scheme was currently a ‘live’ planning application, it could only be discussed by the planning committee.

Wendy Patterson, of Protect Newark Green Spaces, said: “We are not very happy that the application will not be discussed as that was the whole point of the petition. Our concern is that it will come up in a few weeks time and be approved. Done and dusted, without receiving a full debate by all of the councillors.

“So we are turning up and using our voices to object to the council’s decision not to debate tonight.

“We hope they reconsider and do as we ask by placing the plans on hold until they can be debated at the next full council meeting.

“I feel that mistrust is increasing on both sides, but we need to have a proper discussion.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council chairman Jean Hall ceremonially accepted the petition from the protest group, which was officially submitted to the council at the start of July.

The land at Lowfield Lane was allocated for housing back in 2013 as part of the council’s Development Plan to show that there would be adequate future housing provision.

In a statement the council said: “It’s not that we don’t listen, nor care, because we really do, and we have heard and will continue to hear the voices of all our communities.

“We always consider their valuable thoughts, concerns and ideas. But any planning application must be considered in the proper way.

“Each ‘live’ planning application must be treated in the same way, equally and fairly. It wouldn’t be right not to do so.

“To reiterate, those same people have heard residents’ comments, they will be fully informed on the petition and are acutely aware of the difficult decision required in relation to this planning application.”

It has taken three years for the plans for the site to be ready and have been revised multiple times to address concerns over biodiversity and the environment.

The planning committee will review all issues raised, included the petition, and public speaking will be permitted by representatives from the community.

A date for when the plans will come before the planning committee has not been confirmed.