Villagers are concerned they could lose more local wildlife and grasslands after plans were put forward to create more than 100 new homes. A planning application has been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council by Arkwood Developments to build 151 homes in Balderton, near Newark.
The site, which is currently used as paddocks for horses, would span more than 6.8 hectares and be made up of 106 standard market houses, 18 affordable ownership homes and 27 social affordable and intermediate rent homes. However, some residents are concerned about the environmental impact that the development could have on the local area.
The campaign group Protect Newark Green Spaces claim that the historic fields off Lowfield Lane are home to "precious grasslands and wildlife" that is home to a range of species, including tawny owls, barn owls, kestrels, green woodpeckers, bullfinches, muntjac, foxes and bats.
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The field is also the last mediaeval field system left in the parish and is also reportedly home to the rare fungi, the Earth Star. Des Kay, 59, is an environmental professional who manages the wildlife site bordering the proposed development, and feels that the plans could result in “environmental damage.”
He said: "The barn and tawny owls that breed and forage here testify to its value but if this disappears, it will be the end of them. The hedgerows and mature trees provide bat roosts.
"We have another key species, green woodpeckers, which don’t take well to disturbance as they feed on the ground. The ecological report confirms the loss of the species-rich grassland on the development site and that the damage will spill over onto the wildlife site if houses are built.
"Subsequent comments from other professionals are confirming this.” Des questioned why so many new houses are being built in Newark and the surrounding areas, insisting that Lowfield Lane is an unsuitable site due to the fields being of biological importance and forming part of an essential wildlife corridor running to Middlebeck.
Referencing the Grasslands episode of 'Wild Isles', he continued: "You’ll hear from David Attenborough that isolated pockets of nature don’t function; they die. It is such hypocrisy from NSDC. In 2021, the planning department refused a different application on the principle of biodiversity net gain – the strategy to develop land and help nature recover.
"But NSDC isn’t applying that principle to their own development, which will cause 10 times more damage. The government initiative ’15 to Green’ states that we should all live within 15 minutes of a green space.
"The Sustrans route links into Lowfield Lane, making it accessible by foot or bike. We have this wonderful green space connecting people with nature and yet our council wants to destroy it. It’s beyond belief.”
Self-employed tiler Darren Riley's family has lived in Balderton for four generations. The 58 year old said: "Lowfield Lane was my playground growing up; the whole area is folklore in my family.
"I used to go there with my grandad and it’s now wonderful to take my own grandson to see the meadows. People have precious memories of Lowfield Lane but that’s not important to developers, who seem set on building on people’s memories.”
Teacher, Esther Copper, 46, of Newark, visits Balderton a lot for its picturesque nature and is also concerned about the development. She said: "This is a beautiful spot for Newark people to enjoy an accessible slice of nature.
"Yet NSDC has submitted an application for a large housing estate. The development will decimate this crucial wildlife corridor."
Regarding the expressed concerns, Matt Lamb, Director for Planning and Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This land was allocated for housing in our 2013 Allocations and Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD) to meet the housing needs of our local community and as set out by central government. No planning permission has been granted yet for this site and appropriate ecology reports and surveys must be submitted as part of the planning application process.”
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