Save Roman Southwell - Plan for Roman site opposed

Town councillors have objected to fresh plans for housing on the former Church Street site of The Minster School, Southwell.

Southwell Heritage Trust wants the site, where archaeologists have found a Roman villa said to be of national importance, to become a heritage park.

There were calls, at a meeting of Southwell Town Council planning committee, for Newark and Sherwood District Council to deal with the park proposal at the same time as the homes application.

The application is for nine homes, and proposes that the key archaeology be preserved in situ and not built on.

A Saxon burial ground has also been found at the site and could provide a link between the Roman occupation of Southwell and the minster cathedral.

The Southwell committee, whose comments are forwarded to the district council, objected to the homes for five main reasons.

These were the prematurity of the application, the proposed design and layout, the impact on the archaeology, the impact on views of the minster, and the absence of lower-cost housing.

The committee chairman for the night, Mrs Beryl Prentice, said the heritage trust application should be dealt with by the district council at the same time as the homes plan.

She said, and colleagues agreed, the homes plan was premature, because allocations mapping development in the district were being assessed by a planning inspector and the outcome wasn’t known.

Mr Peter Harris said it wasn’t a consideration as to whether the applicant made money from the sale of the homes or not.

He said that what branded the application a joke was the fact it was being suggested the homes would sell for £600,000 when he thought they would achieve seven figures.

Mr Harris said: “I am opposed to this application because I fundamentally don’t think it is appropriate to have this level of development in what is essentially now an open space.

“Any other town with an adjacent cathedral wouldn’t get significant development. Having said that district council planners seem keen for this site to be developed.”

A member of the public, Katie Todd, of Church Street, feared the application could bring flooding.

She said in 2007 30-40 properties were affected and recent deluges had led to worry of a repeat.

Another resident, Mr Peter Kent, said at 21/2 storeys high, the houses would be massive and views of the minster would be affected.

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Plan-for-Roman-site-opposed

News - Nine homes for Roman remains site (Southwell)

Nine luxury, three-storey homes could be built on a site in Southwell believed to contain Roman remains of national importance. 

 

New plans for the Church Street site, which contains the remains of a Roman villa and a Saxon burial ground, have been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council.

It comes more than a year after previous plans for 29 homes, including apartments, were rejected on the grounds they were unsuitable for a site next to the minster and in the town’s conservation area.

The new application shows large homes, most with five bedrooms, and each with a garage. There appears to be no lower-cost housing included.

It said: “The site is sustainably located in Southwell and will enable the redundant Minster School land to be brought into an appropriate alternative use, delivering high-quality housing and positively contributing to and reinforcing the historic character of the area.”

Heritage groups in Southwell have been vehemently opposed to any kind of development on the site and wish to see it preserved as a heritage park.

They have submitted plans for a heritage park to the district council.

Mr Mike Kirton, on behalf of Southwell Heritage Park Campaign, said: “Our views are shared by the 3,000-plus people who signed the petition in 2011.

“The report from the archaeological survey has reinforced our views that this site should be saved from development and become a heritage park.

“This is one of the most important historical sites in the county and we have urged English Heritage to re-appraise the area covered by the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

“We hope the district council will take the new evidence into account when considering this latest application for nine substantial properties.”

The plans will also be considered by Southwell Town Council and Southwell Civic Society.

The chairman of the civic society, Mr Brendan Haigh, said: “This application has just come in and we giving urgent consideration to it.” 

 

From:  http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Nine-homes-for-Roman-remains-site

News - Community welcomes new Robin Hood attraction (Edwinstowe)

COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed plans to develop a new £13m visitor centre in Sherwood Forest.


Chad revealed last week that the £13m tourist attraction, based on the legend of Robin Hood, will be completed by 2015 subject to planning permission.

The planned 40-acre ‘Discover Robin Hood’ visitor attraction will include a medieval fortress, dungeons and a maze with talking trees.

John Peck, who is Newark & Sherwood district councillor for Edwinstowe, also welcomed the plan.

“It’s very exciting news for Edwinstowe. As the gateway village to Sherwood Forest, tourism is very important to the local economy and the prosperity of our High Street,” he said.

“I want to make sure Edwinstowe gains some real benefits from this development.

“I understand there will be up to 100 jobs created and I will be seeking assurances that the majority will go to local people and that local tradespeople will be used where possible.

“There will also be important issues to address to reassure Edwinstowe residents and I will be asking for early discussions about how to manage the increased traffic and minimise disruption to residents living next to the new attraction.”

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said the forest will benefit from the new attraction being developed away from sensitive areas of the iconic landscape.

Wildlife Trust chief executive John Everitt said: “We’re delighted that the council and Discovery Attractions will be bringing investment to provide a 21st century attraction.

“It’s crucial that facilities are developed sensitively alongside the National Nature Reserve to help preserve the fragile wildlife of Sherwood Forest.”

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/community-welcomes-new-robin-hood-attraction-1-5102652

News - Cannon sculpture unveiled to mark Newark's Civil War history

A SCULPTURE of a rusting steel cannon has been placed on top of a 17th Century earthwork in Newark to provide a stark reminder of the town's strong links with the English Civil War.


Newark and Sherwood District Council commissioned sculptor Michael Condron to produce the cannon, which is made to look like it has sunk into the earth on the Queen's Sconce – an earthwork that was used to defend the town during the Civil War, and which is still intact and visible in the town's Sconce and Devon Park.

Mr Condron drew ideas from children at Holy Trinity RC School, which is next to the park. The design of the cannon includes Latin phrases as well as imagery associated with the war such as feathers, roses, weapons and other conflict imagery.

The steel sculpture will rust with age, as Mr Condron intended, to give the impression of an abandoned cannon, the ghost of a battle which raged some 400 years ago.

The chairman of the district council, Councillor Marika Tribe, officially unveiled the sculpture to the public, councillors and park friends groups at the end of last week.

Councillor Nora Armstrong, the district council's cabinet member for clean and green, said: "Michael Condron's striking sculpture serves as an attractive and clear reminder of Sconce and Devon Park's inextricable links to the English Civil War.

"The Queen's Sconce would have provided Newark's primary defence from invading Parliamentarian forces, who would have struggled to scale the slippery slopes to overpower the well-armoured Royalist forces on top of the earthwork.

"The sconce is still very well preserved and this sculpture provides a tangible link for visitors wanting to learn more about the history of the area. It also fits well with our firm belief that the role of parks has moved on. They're now community hubs for learning, history and entertainment, as well as a free resource for play and exercise."

The £20,000 piece of public art was funded as part of a £1.6 million regeneration of the park largely completed two years ago, after the council successfully applied for Heritage Lottery Fund money.

Believed to date from 1644, the Queen's Sconce is considered a heritage feature of international importance and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It covers three acres of land and is distinctively star-shaped when viewed from the air. It is one of nine siege works remaining in a recognisable state in and around Newark.

During the Civil War Newark came under siege three times. Part of the defence system for the town was a series of sconces - fortifications made of earth. The sconce served as a platform that could provide covering fire in all directions, as well as helping to prevent advance of the enemy, and to protect the town.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Cannon-sculpture-unveiled-mark-Newark-s-Civil-War/story-16874078-detail/story.html

News - Ollerton Hall could be turned into flats

A COUNTRY house which has stood empty for nearly half a century could be converted into flats and bunglaows if an application goes ahead.


Plans are in place to transform Ollerton Hall into nine two-bedroom apartments, with 16 flats created in three existing blocks built as part of a previous planning application to convert the site into a nursing home.

It would also have space for 29 parked cars.

The Grade II-listed hall was built in the 1700s, but last used in the 1960s as a hostel and was put on the at-risk register drawn up by Engligh Heritage in recent years.

Falling into disrepair, it was acquired by the Sue Ryder charity in the late 80s with the intention of creating a residential care home. Work was carried out but the home never opened and the site continued to change hands.

It was taken on by Pullan Homes in 2007 and the work was completed to make the building structurally sound.

Pullan has submitted the application to Newark & Sherwood District Council with a target decision date set at 19th July. However, the plans have been criticised by Ollerton and Boughton Town Council.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/ollerton-hall-could-be-turned-into-flats-1-4706746

News - Newark gets £3.5m fund to create national Civil War museum

Buildings in a Nottinghamshire town are set to become a National Civil War Centre after a £3.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund was secured.


Newark and Sherwood District Council plan to restore Newark's Magnus buildings into a museum about the 17th Century war.

The project will cost £5.4m in total and will open in September 2014.

The centre could attract more than 60,000 visitors each year, according to the authority.

Councillor Roger Jackson, the district council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "The new museum will provide a hub for tourism, directing visitors to attractions across the district and Nottinghamshire."

Newark Torc
Newark and Sherwood District Council said it has applied to other grant-funding bodies to make up the rest of the money needed.

The authority has worked with the Heritage Lottery Fund to put together plans to renovate the Magnus buildings, part of which date to 1529.

The Royalists surrendered Newark following a siege in 1646 towards the end of the civil war, which resulted in the defeat of King Charles I by the Parliamentarians.

In addition to Civil War displays, exhibition galleries will focus on the local history of the towns and villages of Nottinghamshire.

The Newark Torc, an Iron Age necklace found using a metal detector near the town, will also be displayed in the centre.

It will be the first time the item will be displayed in the district after being loaned to the British Museum.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-18267068

News - Miners' memorial approval (Ollerton)

An application to build a memorial to honour Ollerton’s miners has been approved.


Newark and Sherwood District Council has granted planning permission for the memorial to be built at the old colliery entrance near the Tesco roundabout, off Forest Road.

However, the land belongs to Tesco, which has yet to make an official decision to allow the memorial on the site.

Ollerton and Boughton town councillors hope the planning permission will speed up the process of erecting the memorial, which the town has been campaigning for over several years.

Mr Stan Crawford said: “This is good news because when Tesco do finally agree then there will be no delays.

“It is a tick in the box and something that has moved forward.”

Mrs Irene Miller said the council had come a long way.

“I know it has taken a long time but we are further now than we have ever been,” she said.

“I am quite confident it is all going to go to plan.”

Council clerk Mrs Karen Wakefield said a year ago Tesco did not reply to her emails or phone messages whereas now they were in regular contact.

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Miners-memorial-approval

News - Medieval remains revealed (Southwell)

Evidence of extensive Medieval burials has been found on a site earmarked for homes in Southwell, it can be revealed.

The graves could prove a continuation of burials in the Church Street area from at least the late Saxon period to modern times.

The results of an interim evaluation of what has been found at Platts Orchard, which has planning permission for three homes, is expected to be made public next week by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The private company, Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd, with oversight from the county council archaeological team, was commissioned to conduct an investigation by site owner, Gascoines Group Ltd, eight months ago.

Six trenches were dug. According to the company’s report, Trench Five revealed the presence of an extensive area of human burials, which the district council’s planning services manager, Mr Pete Wilkinson, believes are Medieval.

Samples taken from the trench have been sent away to be carbon-dated.

Since the burial area is proposed to be gardens under the development plans, it is recommended to leave it undisturbed and the remains preserved in situ.

Mr Wilkinson said Trench Six did not reveal human remains, leading the archaeologists to believe the burial ground ended before reaching it.

Four more trenches were dug in locations where the three homes can be built.

These revealed archaeological remains within 50cm of the surface, but no further evidence of burials.

It is proposed the topsoil be removed from this area when earth-movers return to site, and what is found examined, excavated and recorded.

The district council told the Advertiser it intends to publish the interim archaeological report in full when the carbon data results are returned.

It is an interim report because the topsoil removal has not yet taken place.

The district council insisted on a full archaeological study in 2007 when a planning inspector granted planning permission on appeal for three dwellings it had refused.

There was no requirement to carry out archaeological investigations until construction work started.

Mr Wilkinson said if important discoveries were made as a result of the carbon-dating or topsoil removal and the site had potential to become nationally significant, then English Heritage could step in.

Any planning consent could be overridden by such a discovery, he said.

English Heritage were called in when a Roman wall on the former Minster School site on Church Street was unearthed during a similar study.

The site, close to the minster, contains the remains of what is believed to be a Roman villa, which, linked to Platts Orchard, could provide evidence of continual burials through the ages to modern times.

Nottinghamshire County Council was accused of not keeping the people of Southwell informed of what was happening with regard to the archaeological investigations at Platts Orchard.

A Southwell district councillor, Mr Julian Hamilton, described the non-publication of the evaluation report as an inordinate delay and said the county council should give timely reports on this, and other similar evaluations in Nottinghamshire.

Sally Gill, the county council’s planning manager, said: “The owner of the piece of land formerly known as Platts Orchard in Southwell commissioned Pre-Construct Archaeology to carry out an archaeological investigation of the site last June.

“The vast majority of archaeological work that takes place in the UK is carried out by commercial archaeological companies commissioned by developers.

“The role of the county council’s archaeological team has been to monitor the investigation at Platts Orchard on behalf of Newark and Sherwood District Council and ensure that it has been carried out to the best possible standard.

“We look forward to seeing the final report which is expected shortly.”

A spokesman for Gascoines Group said: “Gascoines Group took the best possible archaeological advice which it followed to the letter to the complete satisfaction of the district and county councils.

“We then commenced development and as it progresses we shall continue with the advice of our archaeologists.”

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Medieval-remains-revealed

News - War museum passes first planning step (Newark)

District planners have given the green light to plans to create a national Civil War museum in Newark.

The application — put forward by Newark and Sherwood District Council — features a glass extension between the Palace Theatre and the Georgian Old Magnus Buildings, as well as internal and external alterations.

Its planning committee expressed reservations about how a modern glass extension would look, but approved the proposal.

However, because the council cannot determine its own applications, it will go to the Government for a final decision.

The committee was told the buildings had been empty since 2005 and, including the Tudor Hall that dates from 1532, were grade two listed for protection, putting them in the top 6% of heritage assets in the country.

A bid seeking £3.5m has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund to pay for the project.

The committee was told the Civil War museum would have national and international significance and could attract 60,000 visitors a year.

It would also feature exhibitions relating to other parts of Newark’s history and the history of the wider area, as well as offering educational and meeting space, a café and a shop.

The vice-chairman, Mr Ben Wells, was the only committee member to vote against the proposal.

He described the glass block as a “carbuncle, a monstrosity to be placed in the centre of Newark” as well as dull, boring and uninspiring.

Mrs Sue Saddington felt the design was too clinical and could be home to flats, a hospital or similar instead of a building of culture.

Mr Dennis Jones suggested the glass frontage be etched with images of Roundheads and Cavaliers.

Mr Julian Hamilton said the buildings’ progression through the ages appeared disjointed.

He said: “It doesn’t look like a museum to me. It doesn’t look appealing. There is a lack of originality.

“However, what is behind the facade will be an iconic museum making Newark a destination rather than a visit.”

The cabinet member for leisure, Mr Roger Jackson, told the committee that the glass and the visible steel girders behind it were necessary to house a complicated lift system opening at different levels and in different directions, a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act.

The committee felt they would have a chance to tweak the scheme as the process went on.

Committee chairman Mr David Payne said: “It is an important project, an exciting project. It is the council’s own project.”

Describing the glass section of frontage, he said: “It’s novel for Newark but not for the rest of the country.”

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/view.asp?id=9d046d1a-a93c-102f-b2bc-83945e1963a8&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

News - Calls to protect brewing heritage (Southwell)

Calls are being made to have a building connected to Southwell’s brewing past listed for protection.

The town council’s planning committee has asked for The Maltings, Lower Kirklington Road, to be considered to be added to the list of protected buildings.

The Maltings, now a family home, is the last remaining example of a maltings building, complete with its kiln, that remains in the town.

Mr Roger Dobson, the town council chairman, said it was a historic building.

He said: “I am very surprised it isn’t listed. Southwell had five maltings in the Victorian period and this is the last one remaining with the original kiln behind it.

“The kiln is where, after the germination of the malt in the maltings, the firing would take place.

“This is a historic building. Why isn’t it listed? I think it should be.”

The council was considering a planning application to install three lights on the rear of the building.

Mr Dobson said he could not see a problem with the plans and the building’s owners were within their rights to submit the application, but he thought it was important the building was considered for further protection.

He said: “If the building is not listed, an owner who isn’t sensitive — and I think the present owners are — could get away with making big changes to it.”

Deputy clerk Mrs Carole Williams said the application had come before the planning committee because the building was in Southwell’s conservation area so any exterior changes had to have consent.

Committee chairman Mr Andy Gregory said there were no planning reasons to object to the application.

The committee did not object to the application, but will ask for Newark and Sherwood District Council to consider submitting it to be added to the list of protected buildings.

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/view.asp?id=f8cc93eb-a3b5-102f-b2bc-83945e1963a8&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

News - Museum bid progresses (Newark)

The creation of a £5m museum at Newark’s Old Magnus Buildings is progressing after councillors agreed to submit a bid for about £3m to the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet agreed to the latest application, after previously receiving £200,000 from the fund to create a design for the project.

The project would see the Old Magnus Buildings, Appletongate, which include the historic Tudor Hall, transformed into a national Civil War museum.

District councillor Mr Roger Jackson, at a meeting last week, said the project was an exciting prospect.

“Hopefully our application for funding will go through and we will be able to create a better museum service in the district and bring a lot more people to Newark and Sherwood and the surrounding area,” he said.

Mr Tony Roberts said the museum would highlight Newark’s role in the nation’s history.

Mr Roger Blaney thought the project would encourage more tourists.

“It will give tourists the justification to come to Newark not just for the day, but to stay,” he said.

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Museum-bid-progresses

News - Newark's £5.5m Civil War museum plans move forward

Plans to turn historical buildings in a Nottinghamshire town into a £5.5m national centre about the English Civil War have moved a step closer.

Newark and Sherwood District Council wants to restore Newark's Magnus buildings into a museum incorporating exhibiting about the 17th Century war.

The authority has now submitted a bid for £3.5m of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

It will learn if the application has been successful in May.

'Exciting time'

Councillor Roger Jackson, the district council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said the museum and learning centre could be opened in 2014 if the funding bid was successful.

He said: "It's a very exciting time for Newark. We've got a business plan put together and hopefully we could generate an income from having the museum. 

"Hopefully it will bring a lot more people into the town as well and bring more money into the town."

The council has been working with the HLF to put together plans to renovate the Magnus buildings, part of which date back to 1529.

The Royalists surrendered Newark following a siege in 1646 towards the end of the civil war, which resulted in the defeat of King Charles I by the Parliamentarians.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-16808781

News - Memorial talks set to start (Ollerton)

Tesco has agreed to meet representatives of Ollerton Town Council to discuss the building of a miners’ memorial on land near their store. 

It follows strong criticism of the supermarket at December’s town council meeting when it was accused of insulting the people of Ollerton by objecting to a memorial.

Town clerk Mrs Karen Wakefield said Tesco had since contacted her to arrange a meeting between the council and Tesco corporate affairs manager Mr Jonathan Simpson and property manager Kelly Jay.

Mrs Stella Smedley welcomed the progress, but said it was long overdue.

“What a shame it has taken so long,” she said.

“Tesco still has a long way to go to restore trust in their behaviour.”

Tesco said it was against siting the memorial at Forest Road/Edison Rise, the entrance to the former colliery.

However, Jackson Design Associates, on behalf of the town council, has submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood Distrioct Council for a memorial at that location.

Campaigners have been trying to get a memorial for years.

Mr Ben Wells felt Press coverage had finally helped secure a meeting with Tesco.

“I would like to thank the Press, because I think they have assisted us in getting this movement,” he said.

Mr Jason Ferguson said: “I want to thank the public for their support, because that is why we have pursued it for so long.”

Residents Mrs Elizabeth Tilstone and Mrs Maureen Pickering, who first collected a petition for a memorial in 2008, were at the meeting.

Mrs Pickering said: “It is just a shame that we couldn’t have reached this stage a lot sooner.”

There is no guarantee that Tesco will agree to a memorial at the former mine entrance. It told the Advertiser last month that it may need the land for future projects, but would discuss alternative locations. 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Memorial-talks-set-to-start

News - Improved access for historic hall (Southwell)

Plans to improve access to one of Southwell’s most historic buildings as part of a £1m project have been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council. 

The project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to allow more people to visit the Great Hall in the grounds of Southwell Minster and the remaining ruins of the Archbishop’s Palace, which now form a walled garden for Bishop’s Manor.

The Great Hall is all that remains of the Archbishop’s Palace, the majority of which was destroyed during the reformation.

As part of the plans, the level of the path leading to the main door would be reduced to remove the drop into the building from outside.

The application said: “The ground level rise in the churchyard appears to be due to successive burials over the intervening six or more centuries.

“The minster archaeologist has assessed that the current threshold has risen by some 350mm from its original level.”

An archaeological investigation of the area surrounding the door revealed it was probably originally a window and the existing door was installed in the early 20th Century using stones from another part of the building.

A lift to the first floor is proposed, which would mean drilling through a massive stone slab that forms part of the upper floor.

Ramped access would also be formed into the gardens in the ruins.

On the ground floor of the building more toilet facilities would be provided with different toilets for the public and school children and choristers.

A kitchen would be removed to allow a room to be used as a rehearsal space for choirs and for educational presentations and the Bishop’s chapel would also be converted into a rehearsal space.

On the first floor, radiators close to Edwardian oak panelling would be removed to prevent damage and underfloor heating installed.

A small kitchen would be extended into rooms used as a two-bedroom apartment to create a commercial kitchen.

The apartment would be reduced in size to one bedroom and would be used by the minster’s organ scholar and as a music store with office space.

Conservation work, including preserving and making safe stonework in the ruins, would also take place.

The application said: “The design is a carefully thought out development upgrading a protected building with sensitivity to enable it to continue, sustainably, with its current use.

“It will be an inclusive building, reasonably accessible and secure by design.”

Construction on the Archbishop’s Palace began in 1360 and when completed it consisted of a great hall, a state chamber and private rooms with a chapel and apartments for guests positioned around a large courtyard.

Cardinal Wolsey stayed at the palace in 1530.

During the Civil War the palace was used by the Scottish commissioners and was stripped for building materials by the Scottish army and by townspeople.

 

From http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Improved-access-for-historic-hall

 

News - Roman ear pick among artefacts for adoption in Newark

A Roman ear pick is one of 18 items put up for adoption to raise funds for a Nottinghamshire museum.

Newark's Millgate Museum's adopt-an-artefact initiative will help towards a new national centre for Civil War learning in the town.

Objects have been chosen by museum staff from the 60,000 items in stores.

Sue Rodgers, from The Friends of Newark and Sherwood Museum Service, said the scheme was a way for everyone to engage with the heritage of their local area.

Other artefacts chosen include a pair of ladies' shoes from 1817 and a Roman lead coffin discovered at Brough in 1971 which held the skeleton of a young female dating from 300AD.

For donating a minimum of £10, people will receive a certificate of adoption and an information sheet on their chosen object.

Bryony Robins, from Millgate Museum, said: "Hopefully it will get people interested in the collection and raise awareness of the museum's extensive stores, which are open to the public on request."

Adopt-an-artefact

Items up for adoption include...

• A Roman Cavalry Helmet's copper cheek piece
• A post-medieval gold pendant
• A polished stone axe head
• A military tunic
• An Anglo-Saxon gold cross pendant

The scheme is the first of several fundraising projects planned by the Friends of Newark and Sherwood Museum Service who aim to raise between £50,000 and £100,000 for the Civil War Centre over the coming years.

The museum, on Appleton Gate, is expected to cost about £5m and is due to open in 2014.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has received about £200,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out initial development work on the museum.

It will be bidding for a further £3.4m in February, with most of the money being used to restore the Old Magnus building which is housing the exhibits.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-16197010

Save Roman Southwell - Eyesore site set for clean-up

A potential development site dubbed an eyesore after becoming overgrown looks set to be tidied.

 

Southwell Town Council and heritage groups have been campaigning for improvements to the appearance of the former Church Street site of The Minster School.

The site contains Roman remains believed to be of national importance, and a recent planning application for 29 homes there was rejected by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Complaints about the site’s appearance began after hoardings were removed revealing its poor state.

At a meeting of the town council’s planning committee, the committee chairman, Mr Andy Gregory, said the developer would be working with Nottinghamshire County Council’s archaeology team to improve the site.

He said: “I’m very mindful that the developer is extending some sort of courtesy towards the town and although it’s taken a bit of time we are getting a result there.”

Mr Roger Dobson said he thought it was a move in the right direction.

He said: “Quite a lot of people have contacted me about the eyesore there and it’s good that not only are they considering tidying up the site, but also replacing the hoardings along the Church Street side, although I do accept there will have to be some sort of window so people can see what’s going on on site.”

Mr Dobson said he had concerns a JCB would be used on site and could damage the remains.

He said: “It’s fine as long as it’s monitored because the site has got archaeological remains there.

“I think we need to ask the county council to make sure that when they are using a JCB on the site they are there.”

Mr Dobson suggested the town council write to the county council expressing support for plans to tidy the site, but asking that all use of a digger be carefully monitored.

 

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Eyesore-site-set-for-clean-up

 

News - Call for true state of cottages to be revealed (Newark)

Appearances can be deceptive and the remains of the former Robin Hood Hotel may be in a better condition than many people think, according to a conservation builder.

Mr Chris Healy says stripping the green rendering from the cottages, which formed part of the Newark hotel, and the limewash beneath it could reveal brickwork and pointing in largely good condition.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee rejected a recommendation to allow the Grade II listed cottages to be demolished, which has sparked strong debate.

The owner, MF Strawson — part of the Asda-led consortium developing Potterdyke — is reviewing its options before deciding what to do next.

Mr Healy said: “If conserved in the right way, this could be the feather in the developer’s cap,” he said.

“But at the very least, let’s see it with the green limewash removed — in a conservation manner rather than just sand-blasted — so we can see what we stand to lose."

Strawsons say it would cost more than £700,000 to restore them, making it economically unviable.

From:http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Call-for-true-state-of-cottages-to-be-reveale

News - Shock vote saves hotel remains (Newark)

The remaining part of Newark’s Robin Hood Hotel has been saved from the wrecking ball.

Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee on Tuesday threw out a recommendation that three cottages, listed for protection, should be demolished.

Instead, they must now be restored as part of a contract the council has with the developer of the Potterdyke site, MF Strawson, within the next four years.

An independent report commissioned by the council found that demolition would be fair as refurbishment would dramatically affect Strawson’s financial return.

Strawson’s had set aside £150,000 for refurbishment, but discovered the work could cost £719,250, or £669,400 to retain the facade only.

Some councillors acknowledged the appalling state the buildings were in, but questioned why a developer’s profit was a consideration for them.

The committee chairman, Mr David Payne, said the council should not be bullied into agreeing to the demolition of a Grade II listed building for the sake of profit.

While acknowledging many people would like to see the cottages knocked down, Mr Payne said: “If the council does nothing, the cottages should be refurbished in four years and not demolished.”

That information was contained in an exempt briefing note that went to councillors before the meeting.

Mr Payne admitted he risked disciplinary action by revealing some of its content.

He listed planning guidelines he said would be contravened if the application was approved.

He said: “I have seldom seen such a wealth of professional opinion against an officer recommendation.”

Among the objectors was English Heritage.

“English Heritage say Newark is one of the best preserved market towns in England,” said Mr Payne. “That did not happen by accident.”

He said he had never known a recommendation to demolish a listed building since he had joined the council in 1975.

He said there had been 80 initial expressions of interest in developing Potterdyke.

All interested parties had been sent the same development brief, which included the refurbishment of the Robin Hood.

“This is a district council initiative,” said Mr Payne. “We initiated development, are parties to it and set the guidelines.”

The council is being paid more than £6m for Potterdyke, which it is receiving in instalments, although the Advertiser understands it was originally negotiated as a lump sum.

Strawson’s, backed by an independent report, say refurbishing the hotel is no longer financially viable and could leave the development with minimal return, so applied to knock it down.

The Nottinghamshire Buildings Preservation Trust has offered to do the restoration work but wants to be given the cottages, £650,000, right of access and extra land around the site.

Demolition was moved by the council’s deputy leader, and former chairman of the its Potterdyke working party, Mr Roger Blaney.

Mr Blaney said Newark had 348 listed buildings and the district 1,400 more than the city of York.

He said only two were on English Heritage’s At Risk Register, the Robin Hood and Ollerton Hall.

He said he would prefer regeneration if that was viable, but he didn’t believe it was.

Mr Blaney said town centre regeneration schemes in Bradford, Oxford and Preston had all either been mothballed or abandoned in the current economic climate, but Newark had a developer willing to persevere for reduced profit.

“The best option for Newark is the regeneration of Potterdyke without further delay,” he said.

“If demolition is the price we have to pay for economic and public benefits not those of the developer but for Newark as a town it is a price worth paying.”

Mr Dennis Jones, who seconded the motion, said: “There is very little there to save.”

However, Mr Julian Hamilton said: “This seems to me an alternative between the heart and the head.

“A town is nothing without emotion. I will vote for emotion.”

Mr Blaney’s proposition was defeated by eight votes to four.

Mr Payne’s motion to refuse the application was passed by eight votes to four.

A director of Strawson’s, Mr Niel Strawson, said: “We are disappointed with the decision. We are considering our options.”

Newark Civic Trust said it was delighted with the decision.

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Shock-vote-saves-hotel-remains

Save Roman Southwell - Housing next to Southwell Roman settlement site rejected

Proposals to build houses next to a Roman settlement site in Nottinghamshire have been rejected by councillors.

Caunton Properties Ltd submitted plans to build 29 properties on Church Street in Southwell.

Officers had recommended that Newark and Sherwood District Council should approve the application.

More than 3,000 people, including several high-profile academics, signed a petition against the development.

Southwell Town Council also objected to the plans.

'Rare remains'

The district council planning committee voted to refuse the application on 8 November on the grounds of design and density of houses proposed.

The site is next to what could be one of the largest Roman villas in the UK, according to Dr Will Bowden, an expert in Roman archaeology.

The University of Nottingham lecturer said the discovery of "rare" remains dating back to the 7th or 8th Century made the site "wholly inappropriate" for development.

Campaigner Peter Kent said he was "highly delighted" with the outcome of the planning meeting.

"We want to develop the entire area as a heritage park, tying in Southwell Minster and the Archbishop's Palace which already has lottery funding to develop as an area of outstanding heritage," he said.

Caunton Properties Ltd was unavailable for comment.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-15655165

Save Roman Southwell - Protesters celebrate as school site homes scheme is blocked

THE rejection of plans to build 29 homes on a former school site has been hailed as a victory for "the will of the people".

A construction firm wanted to build the homes on Southwell Minster School's old Church Street site.

The site is considered to be of huge historic significance as it is home to the remains of one of the largest Roman villas in the UK.

Councillors on Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee last night turned down the proposals, to the relief of protesters.

After the meeting, Southwell resident Brendan Haigh expressed his delight, though admitted he is concerned more plans could be submitted. "I'm absolutely delighted with the result," he said. "It represents the will of the people.

"It would have been absolutely awful if the application had gone through, but this may not be the end of the story."

The authority had been expected to approve the proposals ahead of the meeting.

But Councillor Paul Handley, who represents Southwell North, told the meeting it was very important the plans were rejected because they didn't follow the authority's planning guidelines.

He said: "Also important to mention is that there are a lot of listed buildings in the immediate area.

"Of all the buildings surrounding it, only two have been built in the last 50 years."

Councillor Roger Dobson, of Southwell Town Council, also spoke out against the plans.

He said: "I've spoken on numerous occasions for the council, but I've never felt as passionately as on this occasion.

"There are a substantial number of people in the community who oppose it.

"The site is not only of local importance, but of national importance."

Earlier this year, the Reverend Professor Martin Henig of Oxford University said the site could be "a five-star educational and tourist resource for the town".

The proposals were submitted by Caunton Properties Ltd. They immediately found opposition from people living in the area.

A petition calling for the site to be protected from development was signed by more than 3,499 people. Campaigners said they wanted the site to remain clear and for information boards to be put up.

Southwell Town Council also objected to the proposals.

Roman remains were discovered under parts of Southwell in the 1790s. Baths which formed part of a villa were uncovered when a site in Church Street was cleared for the building of the original Southwell Minster School in 1959. The site closed down and was later destroyed by a large fire in October 2007.

No one from Caunton Properties Ltd was available for comment last night.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Protesters-celebrate-school-site-homes-scheme/story-13797388-detail/story.html