By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Environmental campaigners say they feel “left in the dark” after plans were put forward for a green space in Newark town centre.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has put forward plans for a “community space in the heart of Newark”, on land which was once earmarked to be turned into a car park.
But the authority made a last-minute U-turn after campaigners fought to save trees on the land from being felled in November 2021.
Pamela Ball, who set up the Friends of the Library Garden group, said there were some “good ideas” in the new alternative plans but added the group wanted to discuss them further with the council.
Ms Ball was among campaigners who camped under the trees in November 2021 to prevent them from being cut down.
Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said the authority had met with the group regularly and “taken their thoughts on board”.
The new plans, unveiled on July 14, are for a garden space with wildflowers, more trees and a pebbled rainwater garden feature.
There would also be a hard standing area to the back of the area which would be accessible for a range of local disability gardening groups.
A path would also lead visitors to a ‘container-like-pavilion’ which would house equipment for local gardening groups and for a District Council park ranger.
There would also be an area of decking so that the park ranger and District Council’s environmental team can run talks, workshops and activities with local community groups and school children.
A rowan tree and two birch trees would also be planted, with some areas being allowed to grow naturally for insects and other wildlife.
Ms Ball told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “When we did our own survey we found that most people wanted the area to be wild.
“We planted over 300 wild plants and native hedging which was funded by volunteers.
“I can understand people might think it looks unkempt at the moment but it is unique, it’s a wild area in an urban setting.
“Last week we were briefly shown the plans by the council but we felt like we’ve been kept in the dark about this for three months.
“We are hoping to meet with the council to discuss this further and sit around the table with them.
“There are some good ideas there but they need thinking through more.”
The original plans for the car park came about after Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) entered an agreement with Datch Properties Limited (DPL) in 2019.
The agreement committed the council to building the car park and to pay DPL £30,000 per year in rent for 25 years, after an initial two-year, rent-free period.
After the saga gained national interest from campaigners and politicians, the council agreed to buy back the land for £450k and not to build the car park extension, ensuring the trees escaped being felled.
Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, explains: “We are keen to move forward into a new era in relation to this site where children, families, community groups, in fact all residents, can enjoy this space.
“We have been meeting with the Friends of the Library Garden regularly and have taken their thoughts on board as part of producing proposed plans for the site. It is hoped that the carefully planned features will make it a hub for biodiversity and education right in the heart of the town centre.
“We met with the Friends group earlier this week to get their views on our proposed plans and now we are really keen to get feedback from other local residents and businesses, to ensure that we deliver something that meets local needs moving forward.”
He encouraged residents to share their views on the proposals.
