The next stage of a 136-home development in a small village has been given approval by councillors.
Members of the district council’s planning committee approved the plans at the former Noble Foods site, off Kirklington Road in Bilsthorpe.
The plans came before councillors in reserved matters form, with the development previously given outline consent in May 2020.
Under the most recent application, approved on Tuesday (November 2), developer Harron Homes brought forward its proposals for layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.
Planning documents published ahead of this week’s meeting showed the scheme will include six two-bedroom bungalows and a further 12 two-bedroom, 36 three-bedroom, 73 four-bedroom and nine five-bedroom houses.
The six bungalows were initially listed as ‘affordable’ before the previous committee opted to seek market homes, to secure a bigger Section 106 financial contribution from the developer.
In total, £643,840.73 will be provided by the developer to support bus stop provision, community facilities, primary education, library stock and outdoor sports and recreation.
Documents state the development will include three areas of open space, including one with an area for ‘junior play’, while another would include a small area for infants to play in.
But the approval of the development comes after two separate, similar-sized schemes were approved elsewhere in the village.
Work is currently underway on developer Gleesons’ 121-home development, while work is due to start next year on a further 103 homes off Eakring Road.
The level of housing in the village sparked concern from Bilsthorpe Parish Council both prior to the application, and during the meeting.
Councillor Mel Ward, who spoke on behalf of Bilsthorpe Parish Council, said: “Noble Foods is the third large housing development in the village in the last few years.
“In total, [these] will bring 360 new properties to the village. If, for example, each property has three occupants, that’s an increase of 1,080 people, creating pressure on doctors and schools.
“The council supports new housing, but the infrastructure of the village will be under severe pressure.
“We ask for consideration to the possibility of three large developments working at the same time, and the impact this will have on the village.”
A further 15 resident objections were submitted to the district council when the application was first reviewed in outline form.
These highlighted the loss of green land, the high number of houses, and fears the village has ‘already substantially changed’ in recent years.
Further concerns were raised about the character and design of the application, issues of noise pollution and disturbance, privacy, and access issues.
However, councillors opted to pass the development through the planning system for a second time.
