The Forest Centre in Ollerton is being demolished as part of a regeneration project.
The scheme is yet to be approved, but if it does, here is what residents should expect.
What is happening?
The project will see the derelict Forest Centre and Lloyds Bank next door on Forest Road demolished.
They will be replaced with a three-screen cinema with cafe space, a public sector hub, modern retail and office spaces, a new town centre ‘heart’ featuring open space and seating, and dedicated space for events and markets.
This will make way for a new north-south pedestrian boulevard connecting Forest Road and Rufford Avenue.
Ollerton’s Town Hall in Sherwood Drive will also be knocked down and replaced with new houses.
The owners of the hall – Ollerton and Boughton Town Council – will move to the new public hub.
The new boulevard and buildings will be named, with residents having been invited to submit ideas.
When is it happening?
The planning application was submitted in autumn 2025.
A decision is due to be made in spring 2026 with expectation being that it will be approved.
Demolition and site clearance is set to begin in autumn 2026 and construction starting in the winter.
Completion is planned for spring 2028 with the site being open to the public in the summer/autumn.
The scheme must be delivered by March 2028.
How much will it cost?
The project will cost £1.3 million.
The money comes from the successful levelling up fund round three grant award which was announced in November 2023 under the previous Conservative government.
Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) were awarded £20 million as part of the scheme to fund projects in Ollerton and Clipstone.
But the project faced financial troubles in the early stages.
The £20 million awarded to the council was to be put on hold while the new Labour government reviewed them.
In November 2024, NSDC said the Government had re-committed the funding to the schemes.
And the council then had to plug the £1.3 million shortfall in funding.
Documents stated that without a solution to the shortfall the business case would not be signed off and significant delays would be caused to the programme.
Changes included separating the cinema and cafe from the public sector hub building, and reducing the hub from two storeys to a ground floor only.
How will it affect me?
As with any construction work, it could be noisy and messy.
Especially for those who live opposite the Forest Centre or on Sherwood Drive.
But residents of the town have been consulted.
In September 2025, the regeneration team held an event at the town hall where the public were invited to see the final plans and provide feedback.
The event was attended by around 100 people, of which most were from the NG22 area.
Out of 78 responses:
– 74% agreed or strongly agreed that the development will make them feel proud of the town centre.
– 68% agreed or strongly agreed that it will enable them to use the town centre more.
– 48% agreed or strongly agreed that it will make accessing public services easier.
– 65% agreed or strongly agreed that it will bring a good range of facilities to the town centre.
Councillor Claire Penny, portfolio holder for sustainable economic development, said: “Residents have expressed strong support for improvements that celebrate Ollerton’s heritage while creating a more accessible and attractive town centre.”
The proposed hub would offer people advice and support as well as adult education services.
Newark and Sherwood District Council had planning permission approved on May 7 to promote the project on hoardings.
The posters will replace the boarded-up windows that are currently on the Forest Centre and Lloyd Bank.
The NSDC have ensured that the hoardings will be non-illuminous to protect drivers-by from getting distracted.
But during the planning committee meeting, Councillor Matthew Spoors raised concerns about the material being used – Foamex – being highly flammable and non-sustainable.
Business manager lead Oliver Scott said: “I know one of the dilemmas with this is graffiti, which is unfortunately a problem, so ideally you want something that’s durable, something with longevity, and something that’s robust in all weathers.
“So the technical answer is that there aren’t suitable alternatives that have longevity, but I think that is some feedback that I’m more than happy to pass onto the team.”
