Plans for 130 new homes on Newark site plagued by anti-social behaviour
Construction & Build
In recent years the former school has become a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism
A former school site in a Nottinghamshire town could soon be redeveloped for the creation of up to 130 new homes. Nottingham-based developer Bildurn has announced its plans to redevelop the former Lilley and Stone School site off London Road, Newark.
The proposal for the site, which has been derelict since 2016, has been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council. In recent years the former school has become a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and in May 2023 a fire broke out at the site.
Bildurn hopes to build up to 130 homes, both newly built and conversions in a range of sizes and styles. The plans also propose new areas of public open space for the community.
Sean Akins, managing director at Bildurn, said: “We have spent recent months working with the council and taking on board the feedback from the local community. This is an important site, and we were keen to ensure that the plans we submitted were shaped by the community’s feedback wherever possible.
"I would like to thank everyone who got involved in the consultation. We have worked hard to secure the site and deal with anti-social behaviour, but the present state of affairs is not a long-term solution.
"These plans will deliver the homes and public open space that Newark needs whilst breathing new life into several historic heritage buildings.” A decision is expected to be made by the council regarding the plans later this year.
The submitted plans were originally the subject of a public consultation in 2022, in which over 300 residents gave their feedback, leading to several changes being made in response to the priorities and concerns raised. This includes revised access to reduce traffic onto Harewood Avenue, an increase in public open space, and the addition of bungalows.
Bildurn is also hoping to create a new dedicated car park for Newark Tennis Club and plans to use profits from the development to help fund education for under-25s in the Newark and Balderton area. Councillor Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We have seen a lot of comments on social media about the Lilley and Stone site in Newark.
"We would like to kick into touch some of the nonsense and misinformation about this. Newark and Sherwood District Council has never owned the Lilley and Stone site. It belonged to a charity, the Lilley and Stone Trust, and they sold it to a private developer.
"Newark and Sherwood District Council had no involvement in the sale of the site and has not benefitted in any way from the sale. The district council does not appoint representatives to the trust – it has no involvement in the affairs of the trust.
"A planning application has been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council and we’ll deal with it in the same way as any other application. If someone wishes to comment on that planning application, they are encouraged to do so via our website.”
Written by Laycie Beck at Nottingham Post