Lincoln residents have their say on growth plans including 23k new homes

Improvements to rural roads, suggestions for new housing areas, and constraints to possible traveller sites are among some of the responses submitted by Lincolnshire residents to growth plans for the county.

As previously reported, Central Lincolnshire councils’ Draft Local Plan was revealed in August 2015, setting out targets for 36,960 new homes by 2036 – of which Lincoln is in line for a total of more than 23,000.

A consultation was held towards the end of 2015 on the proposals, which councillors claim will bring thousands of jobs to Central Lincolnshire and the boost the local economy to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Responses from residents to the round of consultation included:

• A mixed response to the growth target of 36,960, with broadly half of respondents thinking it should be higher and half wanting it to be lower
• Support for the need for travel plans, improvements to the Lincoln-Gainsborough-Sheffield train service and improvements to rural roads
• Suggestions of where new green wedges could be sited, including Metheringham and Dunston; Heighington and Canwick; Heighington, Washingborough and Branston; while others were objected in the Witham Valley; between Waddington and Bracebridge Heath and around Hykeham Pits
• Backing for the approach of using Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs)
• Comments suggesting Market Rasen is well place to accommodate growth if any SUEs can’t be delivered
• Suggestions that policy should provide greater certainty for large villages and that large villages near to Lincoln should accommodate more growth to support the city’s role
• Specific land allocations in Bracebridge Heath, Heckington, Metheringham, Navenby, Ruskington, Skellingthorpe, Washingborough, Witham St Hughs, and Billinghay received both support and objection, with additional site suggestions for Billinghay, Branston, Heighington, Heckington, Ruskington, Skellingthorpe, Waddington and Washingborough
• A large response to sites suggested for gypsy and travellers, with several new constraints having been identified on some of the proposed locations. These are being taken on board, investigated further and any unsuitable sites will be removed from the next draft of the plan

Councillor Jeff Summers (Leader of West Lindsey District Council), Councillor Ric Metcalfe (Leader of City of Lincoln Council) and Councillor Marion Brighton OBE (Leader of North Kesteven District Council).

Feedback from the consultation will be considered by councillors on The Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee on Monday, January 18.

Local plans aim to plan for an increasing population and changes in lifestyle as well as ensuring that roads, schools, shops and other facilities are provided for, while preserving and enhancing what is special about the areas.

Councillor Jeff Summers, Chair of the CLJSPC and Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “Since the closure of our second consultation for the new CLLP at the end of November, our officers have been working meticulously through the excellent range of comments received.

“We have been very impressed by the quality and number of submissions from across the three districts, West Lindsey, North Kesteven and Lincoln city.

“We have received very helpful feedback on the gypsy and traveller sites offered. New constraints have been identified on some sites which have been taken on board for further investigation. Any site presently identified and deemed unsuitable will be removed from the plan on January 18.

“Officers are currently reviewing and updating the plan ready for the third and final draft in April prior to submission to the Secretary of State.”

More information on the Draft Local Plan can be found on the website here.