June 18, 2018 4.51 pm This story is over 69 months old

Major Bourne refurb gets phase two approval

See the plans for the new development
An artist's impression of how the new development will look.

The second phase of a major town centre refurbishment in Bourne could be given the green light next week.

The application, by Gravitas Housing, to build 20 apartments and five townhouses, on land at Wherry’s Lane, in Bourne, is considered the second phase of the Wherry’s Mill redevelopment according to a report to South Kesteven’s Development Management committee.

The first, a £2.14 million project, was completed in 2015 and saw a number of buildings further down the road demolished  in order to create a parade of shops with apartments above, leaving only the mill building to be refurbished.

The build was described in a decision notice in 2012 as a ‘catalyst for further development of the Bourne Core Area (BCA)’ and aimed to help ‘regenerate the area’.

The layout of the new Wherry’s Lane development.

This new development will use land directly to the north of that build to create two L-shaped buildings containing the new apartments which would surround a communal parking and turning area.

The townhouses would be attached to these buildings.

A supporting statement has been submitted to the council from D. Sharp, on behalf of Gravitas which is a new Local Authority Commercial Company.

The statement says the close proximity to the town centre provides ‘excellent access to local services’.

It says: “A high-quality, well-designed housing scheme along with associated landscaping would become a great asset to the town.”

It adds: “The recently constructed retail units are not fully occupied and it is suggested hat the existing lack of enclosure along Wherry’s Lane is detracting from the attractiveness of these units.”

It says the proposal will help sustain local services and facilities in Bourne, and would ‘assist in maintaining and enhancing the vitality of the community’.

Objections to the plans have been received from Bourne Town Council  and members of the public with regards to limited access to the houses, limited parking spaces, an argument it is not in keeping with the surrounding area, effect on infrastructure and the need for more retail.

A commuted sum of £546,000 has been requested towards off-site affordable housing and NHS England has also asked for £11,100 towards the Hereward Medical Centre (£444 per residential unit).

Councillors next Tuesday will be asked to defer the decision for approval subject to the signing of the section 106 and with 15 conditions.