Newark & Sherwood district councillors approved a proposal by Ventura Lodges Ltd to convert the Proteus Camp, on Blyth Road, into holiday homes and other facilities including a bar and fitness suite.

A second application for change of land use and the demolition of existing buildings was also granted at a meeting last week.
Ollerton Town Council's Planning Committee chairman Coun Ben Wells welcomed the development.

"It is a major step forward for the area and it will bring more tourism for Ollerton and Edwinstowe," he said. "The site is crying out for development, it is absolutely perfect."

Coun Wells' comments were backed by fellow councillors, who voted unanimously in favour of the plans.

Said Coun Susan Saddington: "I think it will work extremely well –– it is what the area has been in need of for a very long time."

Planning officers had recommended that the plans were given the go-ahead, although some councillors raised concerns about the layout of the site.

Coun Marika Tribe said she was concerned at the close proximity of each lodge which, according to submitted plans, were to be about five to six metres apart.

And Coun Roger Blaney said that during the site's construction there could be problems accessing and leaving the site.

He said there were not clear signs indicating where a car should position itself on exit and suggested that the development's southern access should be the only entrance.

"I am absolutely in favour of this development but we owe it to the people who are going to be living there and those who are working on the site to get the access right," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Ollerton town councillor Carole Turner told Chad she was pleased the site was going ahead.

"It is good investment in the area and it will help improve the Ollerton roundabout and ease congestion–– we are a growing town and will have to keep an eye on it and make sure it benefits the community," she said.

The 21-hectare site was used by the Ministry of Defence as an Army training camp until October 2004 when it became surplus to requirements.

The site had accommodated up to 1,000 personnel at its peak, along with tanks, mechanised vehicles and a small arms firing range.

From the early 1940s it was used by the British and American armed forces and a significant number of barrack buildings, vehicle stores and other structures remain on the site –– though it has now reverted back to the control of the Thoresby Estate.

The lodges will be used for holidays and are not for permanent residential occupation, with occupiers buying a lodge and paying an annual ground fee to Ventura.

Three different lodge designs have been submitted with the largest being 19.5m long, 6m wide and 3.5m high.