Plans for 23 homes and school car park to ease traffic problems in Lincoln village

Plans for 23 homes and a new school car park in a village south-west of Lincoln have been met with concern by villagers who argue that the increased traffic will affect road safety.

Applicants Thorpe Designs have submitted outline proposals for the land off School Lane in Thorpe on the Hill.

The land is currently a paddock used for horse grazing, and lies next to St Michael’s Church Of England Primary School in the village, which would benefit from the new car park.

Most of the new houses would have two or three bedrooms, with some larger properties being four-bedroomed.

The properties would each have a garage and two parking spaces to alleviate problems with on-street parking in the village, especially along Little Thorpe Lane which effectively becomes a single track road in some places.

The applicants said: “The proposal is considered to be sustainable, when considering the economic, social and environmental dimensions set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

“No issues have been identified which would mitigate against an approval of this planning application.

“The new houses would be a logical extension to the existing development pattern and would not be a significant intrusion into the countryside.”

However, some villagers have made known their objections to the proposed scheme, describing the rush-hour period as a “rat run” for motorists avoiding traffic on the nearby A46.

Amanda Horton, who walks her two dogs along Little Thorpe Lane twice daily, said: “This village has already got a massive problem with traffic using it as a rat run.

“Walking on foot is a daily challenge with the sheer volume of traffic and speeds people seem to think are appropriate to cut through Thorpe on the Hill.

Ivan Powell added: “The point of entry to this site is very close to the main school entrance for little children and will add a very significant danger factor to the use of Little Thorpe Lane.

“This is, as the name makes clear, a narrow country lane with two blind bends.

“The village and school capacity has, in any case, been reached and further development will cause significant danger.”

North Kesteven District Council has received the planning application and councillors will consider whether to approve it at a later date.