Newark Market Place is set to be redeveloped next year under new plans.
Just over £3.6 million is being spent regenerating Newark Market Place, including putting in trees and benches, and making the area more accessible.
This will include changes to the the market square by reducing the amount of cobbled surface to make it wheelchair and pram friendly, and consolidating market stalls to make the most of the space for other events and al fresco dining opportunities.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has said some preliminary works have started, and the next steps will include appointing a contractor.
It is hoping to begin work in January 2027, with completion expected 11 to 12 months later.
However, the proposals have given rise to concerns from some, including members of Newark Town Council.
The loss of the historic cobbles, 12 metre-high trees “spoiling historic buildings”, and other design concerns have been raised by Conservative town councillor Mathew Skinner.
He said consultation on the scheme had been poor and that no planning permission was being sought.
He added: “Generally people are mortified if you look online.
“We need better engagement, the removal of the trees, and the historic cobbles to be kept.”
In response, Cllr Paul Peacock (Lab), the leader of the council, said the council has conducted two periods of consultation, one which received 1,500 responses, while the authority has permitted development rights for the site.
“The final designs will be put to the people before sign-off,” he said.
“The council commissioned a company, Allies & Morrison, just before the election to do a masterplan.
“People wanted to see more greenery, more benches, and they did not want to see market stalls there all the time.
“The cobbles are not very accessible. We want to level it out.
“You are always going to find someone who is not happy about this.”
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (June 9), where an update on the plans was given, Cllr Paul Taylor (Lab) added: “I appreciate different people have different views.
“Whether or not there are trees, people have a right to disagree. What they don’t have a right to do is try and destroy the project because with all history, things change over time, and we need to see the improvement in the market square so it becomes a flexible and accessible area to build on what we have in Newark.
“We need to be able to have a square that really helps to generate activity and events. The redesign will massively improve that square.
“I don’t want to see any Luddites actually stopping what can be a fantastic project. Time is tight and we’ve got to get on and deliver for the people of Newark a new and improved town square.”
Providing more detail on the timeframe of the project, Cllr Peacock said the council had opted to begin work in January next year to avoid disruption on the market place over Christmas.
“We hope we can do it in time so that the following year Christmas, and the lights, might not be affected,” he said.
