By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A new space for police and council services has been approved for an estate in Boughton after concerns crime and antisocial behaviour is putting people off wanting to live in the area.
A council house on Manvers View will be converted into a permanent base for police, community safety teams, housing services, the NHS and other services.
The Retford Road estate is among the ten per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the country according to the income deprivation scale.
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee, who approved the plans on Thursday (February 15), were told people don’t want to move to the area because of the crime levels.
Ward Councillor Tim Wildgust (Con) told the committee: “Crime is a big issue we have to deal with on the estate. There are many void [empty] properties and lots of anti-social behaviour.
“Some properties have been difficult to let due to the estate’s issues and concerns for safety. People don’t want to move there.
“This hub could have a knock-on effect, letting us rent out those properties again.”
The centre will be open until 5pm from Monday to Friday, 6pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.
Councillor Matthew Spoors (Lab) said: “My only regret is it’s not open 24/7. It could be a safe refuge for kids to escape from anti-social behaviour.”
Residents would be able to drop-in to see the services, and the centre could also hold coffee mornings, fundraising activities and education sessions.
The three-bedroom council property would no longer be used for housing, although it could be converted back in the future.
Councillor Penny Rainbow (Con) said: “Something is really needed in that area. I’ve seen awful photographs of the state it’s in from a recent council walkabout.
“You’ve got to clear up the mess for people to respect an area.”
However, Councillor Johno Lee (Con) said he found it “really concerning” that a council tenant was relocated in order to free up the property.
He added: “We’re already got a massive housing waiting list.”
Council officers said that the tenant was happy to be moved out of the area.
All planning committee members voted in favour of the application except Cllr Lee, who objected to it.
A separate application to install signs on the building was also approved.
