PROTECT NEWARK’S GREEN SPACES RESPONSE ON FORMER LILY AND STONE BUILDING PLANNING PROPOSAL
PROTECT NEWARK’S GREEN SPACES RESPONSE ON PLANNING UPDATES TO THE FORMER LILY AND STONE BUILDING
MLN Land and Properties and the former school’s Board of Trustees are looking to redevelop the former Lilley and Stone site off London Road, Newark into a small housing estate. They want to hear what local residents think about the proposals and are inviting you to have your say here.
Here is our response to the proposed development:
This will consume one of Newark’s few central green spaces. We support the redevelopment of the former Lilley and Stone buildings. However, the vision for this greenspace should surely be more revolutionary than yet another housing estate when Middlebeck and Fernwood are currently expanding at pace.
Newark is already struggling under the weight of the overpopulation of houses compared to its services. We need investment in building more schools, dentists, doctors and support in bolstering our hospital before more houses are built in Newark.
We’d love to see the green space opened up to the public, helping to address inequalities in access to green space across Newark to maximise the health and well-being benefits of nature in our town.
This space could become once again, a multi-sport playing field, a new community orchard, new woodland, an eco-graveyard or Forest Schools / Outdoor Education Centre?
Keeping this green space protected will aid in improving Newark's noise reduction and supporting biodiversity - including the family of foxes regularly spotted here.
Exposure to green space benefits health by reducing mortality and morbidity from chronic diseases, improving mental health and pregnancy outcomes, and reducing obesity (EEA, 2020).
The World Health Organization recommends that all people reside within 300m of green space.
By involving the local communities in the design and management of this green space, it can foster a sense of ownership and promote its use in bringing people together, supporting mental well-being and exercise and social opportunities.
Sadly across the planning proposal, enhancing the green space and improving it for nature is nowhere to be seen. We would also lose mature trees and crucial habitats for existing wildlife.
In 2010, Newark and Sherwood District Council published their Green Space Improvement Plans. It reported deficiencies in good green space to serve the local population, defining green space as amenity green space, provision for children and young people, other sports facilities, parks and gardens, allotments and cemeteries. Since this report, our greenspace and nature areas have been stripped away at an alarming rate, with no sign of slowing down.
There are already half-started houses around Newark that need prioritizing and completing first.
We are living in the 320th worst green council in the UK (out of 360).
Urban green spaces are becoming recognised as contributors to sustainability in international frameworks and European policies, so why should we lose them?
MLN Land and Properties are also holding a stall at Newark Market on 15th October 9 am – 3:30 pm for you to ask questions and provide feedback.
