Councillor says Warsop 'will suffer over' reduced development money

Warsop’s community will suffer after a housing developer cut the amount of money it plans to put back into local projects, a councillor says.

The plans for 36 homes off Oakfield Lane have been stuck in limbo for two years due to legal wrangling over how much the developer should provide for the area.

This money – known as Section 106 payments – had originally been set at just over £120,000 by Mansfield Council in 2021.

However, extra costs on the project mean the planning committee has now been forced to accept only £42,000.

The main change was an overage payment to Nottinghamshire Council, which increased sixfold from £55,000 to £300,000.

The applicant, Mr Gurjit Mahal, said the project would not be viable without reducing the contributions to Warsop.

Independent assessors recommended just £20,000 of Section 106 payments, although the applicant agreed to pay a further £22,900 towards open spaces in the area.

Councillors reluctantly agreed to the new figure at Mansfield Council planning committee meeting on Monday, October 23.

Coun Craig Whitby (Lab) said: “It’s a shame that we talk about the development not being able to stand the contributions, yet it will be the community which will suffer.

“The contributions would normally have gone towards affordable housing, public transport, extensions to doctors’ surgeries and highways.

“I hope the county council will invest some of the money it’s gotten from its £300,000 overage payment back into the Warsop community.

"This will go some way to mitigate the resources the community is missing out on as a result of changes to this application.”

Counc Sue Swinscoe (Lab) added: “Time and time again we come to these meetings and get Section 106 payments withdrawn because we’re told it’s not viable otherwise.”

All councillors voted in favour of approving the plan.

The site will be located on the junction of Oakfield Lane and Sherwood Street.

Residents will be asked how the £42,000 should be used to improve the open space on Cottage Lane.