'Forest-inspired' development with 315 new homes in pipeline for Clipstone

The development on land to the south of Clipstone Road East would comprise 315 new homes, open space, play and leisure areas, a village green, a new parkland, walking and cycling routes, water features, trees, hedgerows and wildflower meadows.

The C-shaped site, which spans 35.77 hectares, or 88 acres, consists of several agricultural fields that wrap themselves around around Vicar Water Country Park and sit on the periphery of Clipstone.

It is bordered by Clipstone Road East to the north and Crown Farm Way to the west. To the east lies the country park and properties on Edmonton Road, while the southern boundary is defined by Sherwood Forest Golf Club.

Newlands Road acts as a natural separation between the northern and southern parcels of the site, while Newlands Ponds runs through one of those parcels.

If given the go-ahead, the development would be constructed by housebuilding giant Persimmon Homes in three phases over the next ten years, with a target of 40 dwellings per year from 2028.

To be called Vicar’s Walk, its aim is to provide a mix of homes, from one bedroom to four bedrooms, including terraced, semi-detached and detached house types.

But the over-riding aim of the project, according to planners, is to provide “a safe and attractive development, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that has a forest-inspired identity and promotes an active and healthy lifestyle”.

Although Clipstone is part of the Newark and Sherwood district, the site comes under the jurisdiction of Mansfield District Council.

And details of the project have emerged via a planning application submitted to Mansfield Council by Persimmon Homes to ascertain if an environmental impact statement is required before they attempt to gain full permission for Vicar’s Walk.

The application is spearheaded by a covering letter from PB Planning, a York-based consultancy led by Paul Butler, who reveals that Persimmon have already held talks with the council about the scheme.

Persimmon is also supported by a lengthy and detailed ‘Vision Statement’, highlighting the opportunity the site presents, that has been compiled by leading development consultancy, the Pegasus Group.

The statement proclaims: “Our vision is to create a beautiful, new neighbourhood for Clipstone, designed to respond to the challenges of the climate emergency by embracing sustainable design and connecting people with nature.

"Vicar’s Walk would provide a mix of new homes for all ages, needs and means, alongside community facilities and a variety of green open spaces.”

The statement stresses that although the site, which is also close to Sherwood Pines, has been earmarked for housing, 65 per cent, or 26 hectares, of it would actually be retained for open space or green infrastructure.

And the benefits to the local economy would be huge, guaranteeing 170 new construction jobs, 225 supply-chain jobs, £500,000 per year in fresh council-tax payments and a whopping £2.5 million in Section 106 payments made by Persimmon to support infrastructure, such as schools, health centres and transport links.

In short, Pegasus feels the development would “provide a logical continuation of the village of Clipstone”. The environment would “positively create a sense of place and community, responding to local housing needs and attracting families and professionals from outside the district, while meeting the needs of an ageing population”.

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the initial proposal and hope to make a decision or recommendation by their deadline date of Tuesday, October 13. Persimmon would then submit its full application next year.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/