Ambitious plans to secure £20 million for Ollerton and Clipstone submitted

If successful the District Council will develop the underused site at Clipstone Holdings into high quality space for businesses, make huge improvements to Ollerton Town Centre, create new sports facilities in Clipstone and improve transport links to the area.

The District Council has applied for a grant through round two of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).  If the bid is successful, proposals include up to 60 new homes, the creation of new retail, food and beverage shops, new office workspaces and the relocation of the Library in Ollerton Town Centre. The proposal would bring key public services, for example the Town Council and the Library, together in a single, modern and accessible facility, all under one roof.

The funding would also be used to create space for businesses to use as well as sports and leisure facilities on Mansfield Road, Clipstone. The investment here would create a site offering training to develop new skills while also creating employment opportunities as well as a modern health and wellbeing provision in the heart of the community. The project would see the demolition of existing old light industrial units on the Clipstone Holdings site and the redevelopment of 30 brand new units. In addition, a new modern mixed-use sports facilities would also be developed, including a 3G pitch, one grass pitch, one stadium pitch, a cricket pitch and multi-use courts. These would be accompanied by two pavilions, a main sports hall and 505 parking spaces. A new road layout and cycling connections would also be developed. This could then act as a catalyst for the development of the coal mining headstock.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Ollerton and Clipstone and I’m delighted to see our proposals submitted to Government.  These proposals will help to improve employment opportunities in Ollerton and Clipstone and will address some of our key challenges that are set out in our Local Plan and have also been identified through resident feedback.”

Before preparing its proposals, the District Council undertook a survey with residents and other key local people, including local businesses.  The survey showed strong support for town centre regeneration, employment creation, better shops, improved retail and leisure offering, upskilling of the workforce, and measures to enhance wellbeing. Ollerton and Clipstone were identified by respondents as places that are most in need of investment in the district.

Councillor Lloyd continued: “I would like to thank everyone that contributed to the consultation and had their say on what matters most to them for future development of their local community; I am confident that our proposals to government reflect your aspirations.

“New office and workshop spaces in Ollerton and Clipstone will provide modern facilities for local businesses and attract businesses looking for high-quality and energy efficient space, which is great news for those who live and work in the district. It is also our priority to create high quality employment opportunities, offer opportunities to increase skills and improve health and wellbeing by providing the right public services and support at the right place.  I hope that our bid, like the one for Newark, is successful and I look forward to hopefully sharing positive news with you in the future.”

In July 2021 Newark and Sherwood District Council successfully submitted a bid for Newark during the first round of the Levelling Up Fund for the Southern Link Road. This built on the District Council’s positive partnership with the Newark Town Board, securing £25million in March 2021 to begin work on transformative projects to regenerate Newark town centre, boost business and improve infrastructure through the Newark Town Fund.

The Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI), unitary authorities (including metropolitan borough councils), London borough councils and district councils in two tier areas in England are eligible to submit bids for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund which was announced in the 2022 Spring Statement.

In addition to the LUF, the District Council has also submitted an investment plan under the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The bid for £3.28million will seek to diversify our town centres, improve local skills, improve infrastructure and help to accelerate economic growth across the district.

Hear more from Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council: