Representation by Newark & Notts Agricultural Society (Newark & Notts Agricultural Society)
- Date submitted
- 28 June 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (“NNAS”) is a Charity whose principal objective is to support and promote Agriculture and related industries. It achieves this through various agricultural shows, education, grant assistance and support for both rural and urban communities, educational establishments and other organisations. NNAS is based in and runs many of these activities from Newark Showground, a site amounting to some 180 acres overall which it owns on a freehold basis. In order to generate income with which to carry out its charitable purpose, NNAS utilises (through a trading subsidiary) much of the site, when not in use for its own activities, as a multi-faceted conference, meeting and event centre. The busy site operates more than 500 events each year with a visitor attendance of over 500,000 people which in turn generates significant employment, economic and social benefit to the Newark & Sherwood district and the wider region. It is one of the premier events centres in the Midlands. NNAS is strongly supportive of the development the subject of the DCO which it considers to be an economic benefit of national and regional significance, but which will also enhance access and, thus, the attractiveness, of the Showground as an events facility. Notwithstanding its fundamental support, NNAS has some detailed technical design issues with the submitted scheme, which it has already raised with National Highways ("NH"). These are: • The proposed permanent re-routing of Winthorpe Footpath No 3 across the NNAS land, which, as presently proposed, raises serious operational and security issues for the NNAS. It is understood that NH is exploring an alternative re-alignment which, if acceptable to NNAS, could be the subject of a Statement of Common Ground to be submitted to the Examination Inspector. • Access/egress to/from the Showground on the proposed new two-way 'link road' between the Friendly Farmer Roundabout and the Winthorpe Roundabout. This presently includes a 'left turn in only' from the Southbound lane of that Road. NNAS has proposed that this be augmented by adding a 'left turn out only' to the same Southbound lane. NNAS has indicated that it would make further land available to facilitate this and any associated physical measures to prevent 'right-turn in and out' movements. It is now understood that NH is not only minded to resist the outbound facility but is also reconsidering the inbound one because of the risk of vehicles 'turning right'. Given the significant traffic benefits, during and post-scheme, of providing alternative Showground access/egress other than exclusively from Drove Lane/Winthorpe Roundabout, NNAS is keen to pursue dialogue with NH, the outcome of which could also be the subject of a Statement of Common Ground to be submitted to the Examination Inspector. • Access/egress by bicycle to/from the Showground along the new link road and from Winthorpe Roundabout along Drove Lane also needs to be considered in the scheme to facilitate safe and effective use by cyclists (in addition to pedestrians). • The extent and timings of the land required for the scheme and used in the construction phase must be carefully planned as it may have material impacts on events contracted to use the space and NNAS ability to service future events.