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A popular sports site has been listed as an asset of community value.

The Newark Sports Association (NSA) has seen its application to secure Newark Flowserve Sports & Social Clubs status as an asset of community value approved by the district council.

It means the site, which is home to Newark FC and a number of other sports clubs, will now receive additional protection from development plans should the landowner decide to dispose of it, either through a freehold sale, or the grant or assignment of a qualifying lease.

Matthew Norton, business manager at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: The asset met the test set out in Section 88 (2) of the Localism Act, as the asset has had a recent use which furthered the social wellbeing or social interests of the community and it is realistic to think that it could have such a use again in the next five years.

Paul Baggaley, secretary of the NSA, stressed playing fields like the one at Lowfields were an essential part of residents daily lives.

Nominating a local asset as an asset of community value is not a hostile act, said Mr Baggaley.

The NSA will work positively with any organisation that wants to nominate local assets that contribute to the cultural, recreational or sporting life of the town.

Communities and users could bring threatened assets to life if they are given the opportunity.

The answer is not always to build houses.

Parks, playing fields and open space is infrastructure like roads, schools and hospitals and they are an essential part of our daily lives.

The pandemic has increased the importance of sport and the need to stay physically active.

There are people who have been physically affected by covid-19 but there is a much larger group who have been financially affected.

Protecting assets that are close to peoples homes and are free to use is absolutely crucial if we are to recover from the pandemic and build back fairer and fitter communities.

Lowfields is also home to Newark FCs youth teams and is a popular site for charity sports events and school tournaments.

Running clubs and bowls clubs also use the site.

The NSA welcomed sports groups or organisations to get in contact with them should they wish to nominate an asset as an ACV.

You can do so by calling Paul Baggaley on 07903 623369.

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Newark Flowserve Sports & Social Club boosted after securing safety net thanks to Newark Sports Association - Newark Advertiser