Councillors told to approve 200 Waddington homes deferred over traffic fears

Two planning applications for more than 200 homes in Waddington will be back for consideration after they’ve been deferred by councillors over traffic concerns.

Councillors deferred the applications over safety fears when accessing the two sites and sought independent advice.

Then Phil Jones Associates was commissioned to review the two developments for 142 homes and 91 homes on the A607 Grantham Road.

But the traffic report found that the proposed priority junction access for both sites was appropriate and “should not be a reason for refusal of the planning applications.”

It added that the junctions would be a benefit for pedestrians as it would be easier to cross the road.

Now, the recommendation from planning officers for councillors is to approve both developments.

North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee will have to reconsider the developments in the village at a meeting on April 3.

Councillors will make a decision on Jelson Ltd’s proposals for 142 homes at the south end of the village.

Proposals for the development were first given outline permission 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.

A second application for 91 homes on the west side of Grantham Road was also deferred and will be considered by councillors.

Again, this was deferred for traffic advice and also to have discussions with the applicant, Persimmon Homes, over the designs.

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

Traffic concerns were frequently mentioned by councillors at the meeting on February 20.