March 10, 2017 9.30 am This story is over 84 months old

Plans for 68 homes in Gainsborough village unanimously rejected by councillors

Councillors have unanimously rejected plans for 68 homes in a village to the south of Gainsborough. West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee dismissed the proposals for the development in Lea at a meeting on March 8. Applicants Lea Lincs Properties Ltd submitted the plans for the homes on low quality agricultural land off Willingham Road.…

Councillors have unanimously rejected plans for 68 homes in a village to the south of Gainsborough.

West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee dismissed the proposals for the development in Lea at a meeting on March 8.

Applicants Lea Lincs Properties Ltd submitted the plans for the homes on low quality agricultural land off Willingham Road.

Previous larger plans for development had been rejected before by councillors.

The land is farmed for a variety of crops by a tenant farmer.

Lea Parish Council strongly objected to the plans.

In a letter to the council, Councillor Jane Brown, chair of the parish council, said: “The proposed development is inappropriate, contrary to existing national planning policy guidance, existing and emerging local planning policies.”

Many more concerned residents expressed their concerns at the proposals.

One of those was Simon Barker, who said: “The main reason I decided on Lea and the house’s particular location was the south facing views across the countryside which are in my opinion priceless.

“So to think directly at the bottom of my garden a housing estate is proposed is totally unacceptable, unnecessary and against expansion guidelines for the village.”

David Hewis added: “After having drainage problems with the sewers for the last 20 years I am sure this development will not help the situation.

“At present Willingham Road looks like a car park on school days and I am sure this will cause more of a problem.

“I moved to Lea over 20 years ago to live in a village, not to live next to a housing estate.