By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build up to 50 new homes in an affluent village were approved as councillors said they felt they had their “hands tied”.
Newark and Sherwood District Council approved an application for land off Mansfield Road in Edwinstowe despite opposition from some residents and councillors.
The applicants ‘Trustees of the Thoresby Settlement’ have applied for outline planning permission, meaning that further details would be approved at a later stage.
But the site is in the local Development Plan, meaning any decision contrary to the recommendation leaves the council vulnerable to costs if the plans went to appeal.
There were 12 votes for, one against and one abstention during the Planning Committee on March 15.
Councillor Celia Brooks (Lab) representing Edwinstowe Parish Council, which objected to the application said: “A couple of years ago we had a population of 5,200 people.
“We now have a potential for 7,500 to 8,000 within a six year period. That’s a big growth in population and a lot of villagers find that hard to take.
“Locals find it very hard to accept that we need all of this in addition to what has been put on to the Thoresby Colliery site.”
Councillor Tim Wildgust (Con) said: “I feel like I’ve got my hands tied behind my back because we don’t seem to have a lot of choice.
“I do have concerns about Edwinstowe’s infrastructure. Conversely, there isn’t much we can do about it which I find quite frustrating.”
Councillor Paul Peacock (Lab) said: “I am saddened that this application is before you.
“Edwinstowe doesn’t need any more houses, it has taken its fair share of housing.
“I am contacted regularly by people who have waited too long to see a GP, people can’t get a place for their children at local primary schools, people with disabilities unable to get to local shops because there are no parking spaces available.
“Mansfield Road is a busy road. Over the year there have been lots of near misses and lots of car crashes.
The proposed junction onto the site would create further problems, adding more danger to an already dangerous stretch of road.”
Councillor Roger Blaney (Con), Chair of the meeting, said: “Whilst I may be sympathetic to the argument that Cllr Peacock has put forward that the scale of development in Edwinstowe is excessive, our hands this evening are largely tied as a result of the council’s development plan.”
The application stated: “The development on land west of Edwinstowe will be a highly desirable place to live for the 21st century and beyond, and would reflect the desirable elements of the local vernacular.
“Development will accord with the principles of high-quality design and best practice to create a townscape that is both varied, and yet sympathetic to its environment. The aim is to achieve a development with a strong identity and distinct sense of place, whilst at the same time integrating with the existing community.”
