Nearly 400 homes proposed off Hawthorn Road in Lincoln village

Two separate planning applications bringing over a quarter extra homes to one Lincoln village have been submitted.

West Lindsey District Council has received plans for developments of 300 and 69 houses in Cherry Willingham, which has an estimated population of 3,600 and around 1,300 homes.

The first and largest application consisting of 300 homes has been submitted on agricultural land south of Hawthorn Road, in the north-west corner of the village.

The 13.13 hectare site is currently used for arable cereal crop production and grass pasture.

To the north and west of the proposed development lie arable fields and immediately to the east is Cherry Willingham Community School and housing on Jubilee Close.

Under the development, the applicant proposes a mix of houses with a maximum of two-and-a-half storeys planned.

A quarter of the homes would meet the government’s definition of affordable housing contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, and the development would have a range of properties, including starter homes and those suited to the needs of elderly people.

Two new access roads running south from Hawthorn Road would be created with additional estate roads and a cycle path within the development.

No access would be provided to Green Lane, Jubilee Close or Croft Lane.

The applicant has also indicated that he is willing to enter into agreements with the council to provide contributions to affordable housing, education and health where necessary.

Agents JHWalter LLP, representing the applicant Andrew Burling of Cyden Homes, said: “The proposal specifically responds to local objectives in relation to village linkages, raising the quality bar, designing sylvan, rural developments and providing natural public open space and housing for younger adults and older people wishing to stay in the village.”

However, Darren Beckett, who lives in neighbouring Reepham, said: “300 new homes off Hawthorn Road is a real issue. The road will be cut off with the new bypass and therefore up to 600 extra cars would be using the road.”

Julie Gilbert, a resident of Hawthorn Avenue, added: “The roads are in a dreadful state already with the amount of traffic.

“We already have more new homes being built off Hawthorn Road and Avenue. How much more traffic can a village cope with?”

A second smaller application consisting of 69 homes, also off Hawthorn Road, has been submitted by Pride Homes.

The application lies within the parish of Cherry Willingham in the development to the west of the village, which first began in the 1950s, and has continued in the following decades.

Over 100 car parking spaces would be provided and the homes would be a mix of two-bedrooms and four or more bedrooms.

Agents JHWalter LLP, representing the housebuilders, said: “Development of the site would bring significant economic benefits to the local area in terms of both the construction phase and the eventual occupation of the dwellings.

“The scheme as a whole would also be required to contribute affordable housing and open space thus investing in community service provision locally.

“The site is flat, does not contain any built form and is not at risk of flooding.

“It would not be contended that Cherry Willingham is incapable of absorbing any new growth either as part of the existing urban area south of Hawthorn Road or indeed within the village.”

But John Donner, who lives on Hawthorn Road, has objected to the plans, claiming that the development would not be safe for motorists.

He said: “The junction and the link road on to Hawthorn Road is not suitable for the extra volume of traffic from this new housing estate development. The junction being only just inside the 40mph limit from the Lincoln direction meaning vehicles approach at national limit speed.

“It is in the bottom of a dip and vehicles approaching will be upon the turning vehicles quickly making accidents.”

West Lindsey District Council will make a final decision on both applications at a later date.