Work is well underway on a new housing development being built on the outskirts of a Nottinghamshire village - and while many have welcomed the new addition, some residents have raised concerns over its impact.
A total of 199 homes are being built at Elm Tree Park by Barratt Homes at the site on Blidworth Lane, Rainworth. In addition to the homes, the developers also plan to create a children's play space and an ecological buffer to help preserve wildlife. However, despite previously stating in a planning document that there will be improvements made to public access across the site and to the wider pedestrian network, many people already living in Rainworth have expressed concerns over how this will be done.
Nearby resident Marketing manager, Rob Meehan, 37, of Rainworth, said: "I bought this place just before Covid so I was aware of the development and I knew full well that it was going ahead. I certainly do my best to block up the view at the back here, but some residents who have been here for many years moved here for the view of the fields."
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When asked about the development, Rob explained: "It's a shame but it is that it is. The only concern for me really is access to the village as there's no pavement access that I can see to get from the development to get into the village.
"It's a good two mile walk, so they will need to have cars and that will make the junction a bit busier. They will probably put pavements in and change the speed limit as it's not a very safe road, especially on that bend with Blidworth Lane.
He added: "It's already a dangerous road there. It would be nice to get pavements all the way down to it."
Another resident who did not wish to be named said: "I've got nothing against the development itself. I just have some concerns about the access and how they are going to sort that."
Senior product safety manager, Lee Vickers, 55, of Rainworth, has lived in his home for almost 20 years and is not pleased with the development plans. He said: "I'm not looking forward to it, it's going to obscure my view which I have had for two decades.
"I understand that new homes need to be built but not when we have to have something taken away. All of the amenities and the pub and the junction and the traffic noise are going to be affected."
He continued: "It's a bad road, I'm just not sure if they will have plans to widen it but I think they should. I'm not sure what infrastructure they have got planned for it.
"It can be a very dark road as well at night." When asked about her thoughts on the development, a 50 year old teacher who did not wish to be named said: "We rent so I guess for us if the development becomes a problem I suppose we could always move.
"It might affect the traffic, but I haven't really thought about it too much. I think at the end of the day it probably will but houses have to be built somewhere.
"I think it feels different for us because if it does become a big problem we can make the decision not to live here anymore." Speaking about the access for the village, she added: "When there are plans to build things like this they don't just put them there, they look at the facilities and infrastructure.
"The roundabout does get bad at the top of the road, but it doesn't really impact us at the moment."
A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes Sheffield said: "Major improvements to Blidworth Lane will be made following a traffic impact assessment, and as part of our planning agreement with Newark and Sherwood District Council.
“This will include two new junctions to enable access to the new homes, improvements to the existing junction between Blidworth Lane and Southwall Road, a new pedestrian footway, a pedestrian crossing and the installation of street lighting. We look forward to making these upgrades for all local residents, as part of the development of these much-needed new homes, which has been named Elm Tree Park.”
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