Plans for 200 homes could cut nature reserve in half say conservationists

An outline application is being made for residential development of up to 200 dwellings with access off Quarry Lane and associated open space , landscaping and infrastructure works at Gregory

Quarry off Nottingham Road, Mansfield.

Members of the Maun Conservation Group say they are very concerned about the proposed new access road into the development as it would cut the Quarry Lane Nature Reserve in two.

The applicant Mr Lee O’Connor said the proposed use and improved access proposals will rejuvenate a disused, brownfield site into a new residential community.

Maun Conservation Group volunteer Colin Etches said: “The planning application for the houses is not the problem it is the access road which will cut straight through the nature reserve.

“We have put a lot of time and effort into looking after it and we have raised more than £100,000 to make it nice for people to use - it is a smack in the face for us.

“It is not on to ruin our green space. People have had a free run in the countryside there for more than 50 years.

“The road would damage the reserve - there is a lot of wildlife including voles which live there.

Sarah Spurry secretary added: “This would cause considerable disruption and untold damage to vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat during the construction phase and potentially, long term loss of some of the current nature reserve. “The paths that we use will not be as safe in the future due to construction vehicles in the first instance, followed by traffic accessing the housing development on a constant basis in the future.

“This will definitely affect safety for school visits and for our local community walking or cycling to and from town, walking their dogs enjoying the nature reserve with their families.

“The fear is that Council Planners will let this go through without giving enough consideration to our precious green spaces. How fortunate we are to have such a special location, so close to Mansfield Town Centre but are its days numbered?

“Members of Mansfield District Council need to remember that they are elected by the local people; the local people who care about their green spaces and far too often in recent months, we have been losing our local green environment due to a lack of full consideration to the consequences of their decisions. We need people to stand up for our Quarry Lane Nature Reserve by commenting/objecting to the outline planning application.”

Racecourse ward Councillor Steve Garner said: I will be supporting Maun Conservation group in their objections to the access road.

“It will spoil the nature reserve Why should the environment take second place to planning?”

The proposals are for 114 residential dwellings and two apartment blocks containing 86 apartments.

Vehicle site access would be from Quarry Lane, formed by an enhanced access road comprising an improved road junction at Quarry Lane, wider carriageway. The road will cross the River Main and will enter the site via a cutting in the existing former railway embankment.

In its design and access statement the applicant states: “The proposed use and improved access proposals will rejuvenate a disused, brownfield site into a new residential community within the urban area which integrates with its surroundings.

“The scheme will be complimentary use to its context whilst at the same time protecting the unique character of the quarry site and respecting its neighbours.”

The scheme provides the opportunity to provide a sustainable residential development on a brownfield site.