Roads already at capacity, planners told

A lack of common sense and foresight over road infrastructure is going to make Newark inaccessible when up to hundreds of new homes are built, say a parish council.

The issue was raised by Mrs Molly Weale, of Fernwood Parish Council, when Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee discussed an outline planning application for up to 1,800 new homes on land south of Fernwood.

The council’s business manager growth and regeneration, Mr Matt Lamb, said it was the largest planning development they had ever dealt with.

Mrs Mollie Weale said the parish council did not believe the current roads and proposed changes took into account the volume of traffic that the new homes in Fernwood, and those being built at the end of Bowbridge Road, would generate on top of the proposed industrial area and extra school traffic.

"Newark and the surrounding areas are already beyond capacity and a lack of common sense and foresight in relation to road infrastructure is going to make Newark inaccessible, which can only damage the economy and tourism by making Newark an area to avoid," she said.

Mrs Weale said the parish council was not against development but could not support the application.

She also raised the issue of management companies, used to maintain open spaces.

She said there was currently no legislation to protect freeholders from them.

"This medieval archaic method of land management has no place in a 21st Century development and the practice should be rejected by the committee in favour of the land being handed over to the parish council at the end of each phase," she said.

The application by Per-simmon Homes (East Mid-lands) was approved by the district council.

The site will also have shops, a sports pavilion, primary school, sports pitches and pocket parks.

Mr Lamb said the application was approved almost two years ago but was back before the committee because of a change in the amount of affordable housing earmarked for the site.

He said further associated costs of £9.7m had been identified for the project so the developer could no longer meet the policy aspirations of having 30% of the homes (540 units) as affordable housing.

Persimmon had suggested 10% — amounting to 180 units — but after advice from an independent consultant a revised figure of 13% — 234 units — was agreed.