Newark car park: Council leader 'sorry' for £500k U-turn

The council reversed its decision after pressure from environmental campaigners

A council leader says he is "genuinely sorry" for a £500,000 saga which almost saw four trees felled for a car park.

David Lloyd addressed a council meeting about the events surrounding land off London Road in Newark.

Newark and Sherwood District Council eventually reversed its decision to cut down the trees in November following a long campaign by protesters.

The authority has been criticised in a report which said the environmental impact was not properly considered.

It concluded the chain of events, including the decision to reverse the plans, cost the taxpayer £500,000.

"This has been a sorry occasion," said Councillor Lloyd during a full council meeting on Tuesday, as he spoke out about the report for the first time in an open meeting.

"It should be noted that we responded to both petitions and to the campaign. It should be noted that there has been a reputational and financial impact.

"It will be noted that lessons have very definitely been learned and importantly, that the process of improvement has been under way for some time.

"I think it is also proper that for those who have been involved, to recognise that there have been times of distress, anxiety and heightened tension.

Protect Newark's Green Spaces said campaigners were willing to chain themselves to the trees

"To those people, I am genuinely sorry and I hope that I speak for all here in saying that."

The council entered an agreement with Datch Properties Limited to take over the land in 2019 but in November 2021 the authority agreed to buy back the land for £450,000.

It recently put forward ambitious plans to turn the land into a "community space in the heart of Newark" including a garden space with wildflowers, more trees and a pebbled rainwater garden feature.

The council is asking for comments on the plans on its website.