February 20, 2018 8.49 pm This story is over 73 months old

Councillors delay decision on 200 new homes in Waddington

They’re worried about the impact on traffic.
Up to 142 new homes on land east of Grantham Road in Waddington.

Councillors have deferred plans for two developments totalling over 200 new homes in Waddington.

North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee delayed Jelson Ltd’s proposals for 142 homes east of the A607 Grantham Road at the south end of the village while they seek independent traffic advice.

The plans were first approved in their outline form back in November 2015, with more detailed proposals granted in June 2017.

However, the developers had to bring the application before the committee again after applying to remove two ghost island right hand turning lanes on each of the proposed two access points into the site.

The percentage of affordable housing has also come down from 35% originally to 25%.

Eighteen councillors voted in favour of deferring the application to get independent traffic advice on the plans, with one voting against and one abstention.

Councillor Peter Burley, representing Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East was critical about Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways department.

He said: “Presumably, highways was satisfied in 2015 that a ghost island was needed? Again, my concern is the danger for residents.”

Councillor Lindsey Cawrey, representing the same ward, proposed deferring the application. She said: “This should be about safety, not cost-saving.”

Plans for 91 homes on the west side of Grantham Road in the village were also deferred by a margin of 16 to two, with one abstention.

Again this was deferred to seek independent traffic advice, and also to have discussions with the applicant over designs.

Applicant Chris Gowlett applied to build a mix of two, three, and four bedroom homes, with a quarter to be classed as affordable.

Councillors were unhappy that the NHS did not ask for financial contributions as part of the development.

Councillor Ian Carrington, ward member for Heighington and Washingborough, said: “Bureaucrats in the NHS are turning down free money. It is not good enough of the NHS not to put these requests in.”

Traffic concerns were again frequently mentioned by councillors.

Councillor Peter Burley said: “It’s going to be chaos. The Eastern Bypass is going to make it worse. The southern bypass is a pipe dream.”

At the same meeting, councillors also approved 187 new homes from developers Taylor Wimpey.

Green light for 187 new homes in Waddington