By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Developers attempting to bring new life to a former Warsop bowls club have amended their proposals after councillors blocked their plans for affordable houses.
Hodgkinson Builders Ltd had brought forward its plans for the 16 affordable homes at Longden Terrace, planning to transform the former Miners Welfare Trust Bowling Green and Social Club.
But Mansfield District Council’s planning committee refused the application when councillors met in September, with concerns raised over road safety and the level of parking proposed in the scheme.
Now, however, the company has put forward amended proposals to address the issues raised. The number of homes has been reduced down to 15, while the level of parking to be provided has also increased.
The site, between Longden Terrace and Pavilion Close, was described as “overgrown” with evidence of litter, and people living nearby agreed the land does need to be redeveloped.
However, the initial proposals, which had previously been amended, were viewed by Nottinghamshire County Council, the local highways authority, as unacceptable.
The authority said the plans didn’t “meet the standards” of the district council’s ‘Parking for New Developments’ criteria.
Twelve properties were two-bedroom homes, and all were allocated one on-site parking space. The council’s guidance recommends two parking spaces for a two-bedroom home.
The remaining four properties, all three-bedroom homes, would have been allocated two parking spaces each.
Councillors were told the rationale behind this was the development’s close proximity to Market Warsop town centre. Council officers said this meant “regular resident journeys could be undertaken by non-vehicular modes of transport”.
However, this rationale was rejected by members of the committee.
But the amended proposals, due before councillors again on February 14, have increased the number of parking spaces to be provided for each property.
Each of the 15 homes will now be allocated two parking spaces each, while two additional spaces will be created for visitors. This is in line with the district’s parking criteria.
The reduced number of homes will now see five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom affordable rent homes built, with a further four two-bedroom and three three-bedroom rent to buy houses created.
All homes will be marketed and managed by housing company Jigsaw Homes.
Documents published ahead of the planning committee state the plans will make use of a brownfield site that “has become derelict and a potential focus of anti-social behaviour”.
It was viewed in September that the previous parking supply would lead to an “overflow” into Longden Terrace, increasing existing issues of parking and road safety.
The development would also be close to Sherwood Junior School, with residents initially concerned reduced parking would lead to potential “near-misses” on the school run.
But these concerns have now been addressed, and the developer will be asked to implement traffic calming measures at its own expense “in the interest of public safety”.
Councillors will be recommended to approve the amended plans, with no specific objections now raised to the updated housing and parking numbers.
