By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Major plans have been submitted to create an aviation and space centre in Newark backed by the RAF with around 350 students and 40 staff.
Councillors from Newark and Sherwood District Council will decide if planning permission should be granted on Tuesday, February 15.
The new space and aviation centre will be built at the former Newark Livestock Market in Great North Road including land to its rear and front which contains a public car park.
The single-storey Livestock Market building has already been demolished.
The applicant, Lincoln College Group, wants full planning permission to build a further education centre for the training of young adults within the aviation and space industries.
The proposed facility would be known as the Internal Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) and would cater for approximately 350 students and 40 staff.
The facility is supported by the RAF, defence and civilian industry.
The proposed overall floorspace would be 3600 square metres over three floors. Within the workshop and hangar would be an aeroplane and a wing canopy project.
A report prepared for the planning meeting says: “The outputs and outcomes of the IASTI will have a multitude of positive impacts on Newark and the region in both the immediate and long-terms.
“It will provide specialised skills training, develop an industry cluster, encourage exciting developments in the supply chain, and enhance the infrastructure of Newark.”
This includes providing “opportunities for Newark’s residents, attract new businesses and students to the town and enhance the town’s vitality”.
“The IASTI proposals will do much to anchor the existing Further and Higher Education (FE/HE) provision in the area,” the report states.
The building design has been influenced by different elements of the aircraft industry, both historic and modern. The south and east elevation being influenced by hangers. The west elevation has been influenced by the ‘ribbon’ of windows seen on a passenger aircraft.
The roof will reflect the stacking of aircraft tail fins.
The main entrance to the building would face towards Great North Road. It is intended the car park would be incorporated into the IASTI campus and would serve as the car park for the facility. It would be open for use by the public at evenings and weekends.
Council planning officers have recommended that councillors approve the application when they meet on Tuesday, February 15.
Officers conclude: “The site is considered to be a sustainable location for the nature of the use proposed with good public transport options.
“IASTI would provide social and economic benefits to Newark and the wider area. The proposed building would be modern in its design and appearance and would form a key landmark building on entry into Newark.
“The application is not considered to result in any unacceptable impacts upon the setting of heritage assets, archaeology, highway safety, flood risk, trees, ecology or visual amenity, subject to conditions.”
