The proposed development site is located in Balderton, Newark, in the administrative district of Newark and Sherwood District Council. It is situated c.2.2km southeast of the centre of the town and c.26.7km northeast of Nottingham. The site is approximately 11.3 hectares and is presently occupied by the buildings of Grove Leisure Centre, the remains of a late Victorian villa and an athletics pitch. The strip, map and record applied to one area within the footprint of the proposed new school and day care centre, and a second smaller area to the southwest of the proposed new building. No archaeological features were revealed within either area.