Agenda item

That Cabinet:

a)      note the update provided in relation to the Newark Town Centre Masterplan;

b)      adopt the Newark Town Centre Masterplan as planning guidance from 1 April 2026;

c)    allow for a review of not less than 6 months of the implementation of the Town Centre Masterplan, with delegated authority for any necessary amendments being delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee and Director – Planning & Growth; and

d)    note the update provided in relation to the Newark Town Centre Design Code and endorse its adoption as guidance as part of an updated Newark Conservation Area Management Plan the publication of which is already delegated to the Council’s Director of Planning & Growth.

The Town Centres & Visitor Economy and Senior Planner jointly presented a report which provided an update on and sought adoption of the Newark Town Centre Masterplan and Design Code.

The purpose of the Town Centre Masterplan was to provide a strategic framework to guide development, regeneration and investment within Newark’s Conservation Area. The vision was that Newark Town Centre would remain a historic market town while embracing sustainable growth, creativity and connectivity. The purpose of the Design Code was to provide clear, detailed design requirements for development within the town centre, helping to deliver the vision and principles set out in the Masterplan. It would establish consistent standards for architecture, materials, public realm and sustainability, ensuring that new development respects Newark’s historic character whilst meeting modern requirements for accessibility, climate resilience and quality of life.

It was noted that the Policy & Performance Improvement Committee had recommended approval of both the Masterplan and Design Code at their meeting held on 23 February 2026.

AGREED     (with 5 votes for and 1 abstention) that Cabinet:

a)           note the update provided in relation to the Newark Town Centre Masterplan;

b)          adopt the Newark Town Centre Masterplan as planning guidance from 1 April 2026;

c)           allow for a review of not less than 6 months of the implementation of the Town Centre Masterplan, with delegated authority for any necessary amendments being delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee and Director – Planning & Growth; and

d)          note the update provided in relation to the Newark Town Centre Design Code and endorse its adoption as guidance as part of an updated Newark Conservation Area Management Plan the publication of which is already delegated to the Council’s Director of Planning & Growth.

Reasons for Decision:

It is important that the Newark Town Centre Masterplan is carried forward in order to provide a clear, framework for shaping growth, investment (by the Council and others), and regeneration in line with community priorities. Adoption ensures that future development can be influenced. This directly supports the ambitions of the Newark & Sherwood Community Plan 2023–2027 by breaking down barriers to opportunity, improving health and wellbeing through active travel and green spaces, reducing crime through better-designed public realm, celebrating culture and heritage, and advancing climate resilience and net-zero objectives.

Incorporating relevant elements of the Design Code into an updated Newark Conservation Area Management Plan also provides an effective approach to support its integration into the Development Management process.

Options Considered:

The option to discontinue work and not finalise the Newark Town Centre Masterplan has been ruled out. Establishing a clear, deliverable strategy for the nature of future development and design that will be supported is considered essential.

Taking the Design Code forward as a Supplementary Planning Document has been impacted upon by changes to the plan-making system and is therefore discounted. The alternative option of taking the Code forward as part of the Newark Conservation Area Management Plan is a sensible alternative that will ensure that the document has planning weight and can inform decision-making.