Major projects for Newark progressing at pace

Posted on: Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Projects for Newark are rapidly moving forward following successful bids to central government and a mixture of public and private funding. This includes the priority projects highlighted in the Newark Town Investment Plan, which was submitted by the Newark Towns Fund Board and awarded with £25m funding from central government.

Construction for two projects is planned to start as soon as this month. This includes the redevelopment of 32 Stodman Street (the former Marks & Spencer), which is currently out for tender to procure a build contractor, and the Air and Space Institute (ASI). Plans are also moving forward for the Castle Gatehouse project, the Newark Gateway site, the Cultural Heart of Newark project and the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR).

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Co-chair of Newark Towns Fund Board, said: “The progress that is being made on several very large projects for Newark, simultaneously, is incredible. It has been just 18 months since we found out we received Towns Fund investment and already we have a new Construction College and a fantastic new facility for the whole community at the YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark.

“Projects such as Newark’s Southern Link Road (SLR) are long-standing priorities for the District Council and we will not stop seeking to deliver investment opportunities for our district.”

The Newark Gateway site comprises the site of the former Livestock Market and existing Newark Lorry Park. Phase I of the delivery involves the ASI, which is due for completion in early 2024. Phase II involves the potential relocation and expansion of the Lorry Park due to the likely impacts of the A46 Newark Northern Bypass and its redevelopment with a Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Zone (SiScLog). The National Highways proposals for the Newark A46 Northern Bypass will be the subject of statutory consultation starting later this month.

Plans to complete the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR), which will form the missing link of Newark’s outer loop road by connecting the A46 at Farndon to the A1 at Balderton, are also moving forward. Final designs are agreed with National Highways and Nottinghamshire County Council, including a replacement A46 junction design which secured planning permission last month. Tenders have been issued by the developer for contractors to build the road in anticipation of a start on site in early 2023.

Castle Gatehouse has successfully secured Phase I National Heritage Lottery Funding to develop the visitor attraction and community hub and is progressing to Phase II. The Cultural Heart of Newark project has established an enhanced events programme, which included the ‘Newark on Sea’ beach event in 2022 and will move to deliver a full business case by March 2023 for further events in 2023 and 2024.

Newark Construction College opened in September 2021 and has now welcomed its second year of students, with 100 undertaking gas, electrical and brick laying courses. The YMCA Community and Activity Village also opened in July 2022, providing sports, education, training, hospitality and childcare facilities to the public. In addition, three Brompton Bike docking stations have been installed in Newark to support the ’20-Minute Cycle Town’ project; one in the heart of the Middlebeck development, one at Newark Bus Station and another at Newark Castle Train Station.

An update on all projects, including recommendations, will be presented at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s meeting of the Cabinet tonight (Tuesday 4 October).