January 29, 2016 1.47 pm This story is over 103 months old

Lincoln villagers vote for louder voice on planning applications

Strong support: Residents of a Lincoln village have given their overwhelming support to proposals giving them a greater say on planning applications.

Left to right, Joseph Siddall, vice chair of the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, John Evans, chair of the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, Chair of Nettleham Parish Council Terry Williams and West Lindsey District Councillors, Steve England and Giles McNeill at the Guildhall, Gainsborough

By Stefan Pidluznyj, Local Democracy Reporter Stefan Pidluznyj, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents of a Lincoln village have given their overwhelming support to proposals giving them a greater say on planning applications.

A referendum was held in Nettleham on Thursday, January 28, in which villagers were asked whether to adopt the village’s Neighbourhood Plan.

More than 40% of those eligible voted in the referendum, with 1,145 residents voting in favour of the neighbourhood plan, and just 110 voting against.

Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan Count – Result: YES 1,145, NO 110 #planning #neighbourhoodplanning @CommunitiesUK @WestLindseyDC @BBCRadioLincs

— Giles McNeill (@G_McNeill_WLDC) January 29, 2016

The plan outlines the priorities for development in the village, and provides context on the area’s historical and archaeological past, as well as an overview of the services currently in place.

It has also identified sites suitable for development while considering the environmental impact of any schemes.

The village has seen a number of planning applications submitted over recent years.

The proposed 200-homes development in Nettleham. Photo: Globe Consultants Ltd

In June 2015, proposals for 68 new homes off Scothern Road in the village were approved by West Lindsey District Council.

A month earlier, Beal Developments Ltd announced plans for 200 new homes and a potential sports facility on land north of Larch Avenue and south of Nettleham Beck, with councillors now preparing to conduct a site inspection.

John Evans, chair of the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, said that he was “over the moon” with the result.

He said:

“The referendum validates more than four years of hard work by us on the steering committee, and will give residents of Nettleham a louder voice when it comes to assessing planning applications in the village.”

West Lindsey District and Nettleham Parish Councillor, Giles McNeill, who serves on the district council’s Planning Committee, added: “This gives us an extra tool in our rather limited toolbox when it comes to deciding on planning applications.

“Other areas are now looking at emulating Nettleham and I’m hopeful that both Riseholme and Welton will be in a position to hold referendum at some point this year.”