Mansfield campaigners slam council over "major" new housing bids under lockdown

Campaigners have blasted Mansfield council for giving residents just three weeks to respond to two major housing developments.
An aerial view of the land behind Berry Hill Hall.An aerial view of the land behind Berry Hill Hall.
An aerial view of the land behind Berry Hill Hall.

Developers One Fine Day Homes want to build 12 new apartments in two blocks and nine detached homes on 0.62 hectares of land behind Berry Hill Hall, while Barratt David Wilson (BDW) applied to build up to 210 new homes on farmland on the outskirts of Rainworth, in April.

They are also concerned about a March 13 application by Gleeson Developments to Newark and Sherwood District Council for 85 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes on 7.69 acres of land at New Lane, west of Blidworth.

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Campaigners from the Friends of Berry Hill Park and Supporting Berry Hill Park groups say they were “shocked” when Mansfield District Council gave residents 21 days notice to respond to the Berry Hill application.

They are now calling for the applications to be postponed until people have time to consider them properly.

esident Julie Tasker, said: "How on earth are we supposed to organise a legitimate response within 21 days, while the community is in a lockdown and socially distancing from each other?

"Mansfield District Council is not playing fair, they are not acting within the spirit of the legislation and community consultation. We feel cheated!

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Resident and ex-miner, Trev Cooke, said: “The park was always intended for the use of local residents, in particular miners and their families.

“The fact that there are no Mansfield collieries should not detract from the park being available to all future generations.”

Martyn Saxton, head of planning and regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “Local authorities were advised by the government in March 2020 to keep the planning system operating as it is an important tool for economic recovery.

“The government issued new guidance and legislation to allow this and Mansfield District Council is continuing to process planning applications.”

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Newark and Sherwood Council said: “The minimum time for residents to comment on the application expires on May 15. We understand the concerns raised by residents regarding difficulties in commenting on such matters during the current Covid-19 situation. However, to date, we have received just under 100 comments from residents.”