March 5, 2018 5.19 pm This story is over 72 months old

Branston new homes developer asks for £90k leisure fee reduction

They’ve asked for the contribution to be slashed.

The updated plans for 198 homes in Branston. Photo: Taylor Wimpey

The developers behind 198 homes in Branston have applied to the council for a potential £90,000 reduction in the amount they will have to pay to provide recreation facilities in the village.

Work on the Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd development west of the B1188 Sleaford Road and east of Mere Road has already started after planning permission was granted in July 2016.

However, the applicants wish to amend the application which could see changes to the offsite recreation facilities required as part of the development.

A letter from the applicants to North Kesteven District Council has stated that the overall contribution to offsite recreation facilities and open spaces could come down from £270,288 to £183,600, a drop of nearly £90,000.

The Branston residential development plan is proposed for land east of Mere Road and west of Sleaford Road. Photo: Google Maps

This is possible due to the adoption of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, which has different requirements compared with the previous 2007 North Kesteven Local Plan.

The request would involve no change to the plans already approved by councillors, or changes to the level of open space provided on the site of the development.

Despite this, some residents have objected to the proposed changes.

Branston resident Graham Smith said: “The developer should be held to all of the undertakings given in the originally approved application, so that villagers may benefit as intended.”

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has also objected on the grounds of a loss of green space provision on land away from the development.

Councillors on North Kesteven District Council’s Planning Sub-Committee have been given a recommendation to approve the changes at a meeting in Sleaford on Tuesday, March 13.