June 22, 2018 5.01 pm This story is over 68 months old

Growth corridor changes after rat-run concerns

Many objected over traffic issues

Concerns over a conservation area in Lincoln becoming a “rat-run” have led to the city council amending its Western Growth Corridor plans.

The proposals by the City of Lincoln Council, which include plans for a 3,200 home neighbourhood and 20 hectares of commercial space, were sent out to public consultation by the authority last year.

The consultation received 298 responses which contained 982 comments over 41 different topics.

Results show that most comments related to traffic, flooding and access to the development and infrastructure.

One area of concern was plans for a vehicular link from Hartsholme Drive to the proposed development and its effect on the conservation area of Swanpool Garden.

The masterplan for the Lincoln Western Growth Corridor development project.

Residents said that the area would become a “rat-run” with the planned link.

In response, the council said: “Given the strength of feeling from local residents the masterplan will be changed to have a cycle/pedestrian link only between the new neighbourhood and the existing community.”

Kate Ellis, Director of Major Developments at City of Lincoln Council, said the consultation allowed the council to listen to residents’ concerns.

She said: “The consultation has allowed us to obtain vital feedback on the Western Growth Corridor draft masterplan before proceeding with submitting a planning application for the site. We’d like to thank everybody who participated for taking the time to do so.

“By continuing to work closely with all partners on the development, we are able to make necessary adjustments to the plan where required to ensure that the development is a positive for everyone in the city.

“Development of the site will help deliver much needed homes in Lincoln to help address the lack of housing in the city. It is also the single largest allocation of employment land both in Lincoln and Lincolnshire and will help meet the economic growth requirements of the city – one of our key strategic priorities.

“The final masterplan will reflect the views and thoughts of the people of Lincoln, which we have made a priority throughout this consultation.

“Once we have completed some further work on the transport elements of the scheme we will undertake another round of consultation and workshops on the key themes of transport and flooding. This will then allow us to finalise the planning application ready for submission. We are currently in the process of agreeing the timescale for this.”

The consultation report will go before the City of Lincoln Council executive on July 2.