September 19, 2018 8.44 am This story is over 66 months old

Objectors celebrate county housing rejection

The county council is now considering its next move
The entrance to the planned development site. Photo: Google Street View.

Objectors to a major housing development in Sutterton which was rejected by Boston Borough Council have said they feel like being in a ‘David and Goliath battle’.

The 96-home development, which would have been accessed off Wigtoft Road, Sutterton, was rejected by Boston Borough Councillors on Tuesday.

It was submitted by Lincolnshire County Council.

Speaking following the meeting, Nicholas Robinson said: “Well, obviously we’re initially delighted, however, we’re David and Goliath – we’re fighting Lincolnshire County Council and I’m quite sure they will want to appeal this.

“In which case I do admire the council here in Boston for what they’ve done because there’s a cost in appeal.”

An indicative layout of how the site would have looked.

He said he remained concerned over how national policy would affect the amount of funding councils could use to fight off development.

He was also sceptical on how new housing would help the village, adding: “We have increased the housing supply in Sutterton by 30 per cent in the last three or four years and no services have come, so I doubt that will happen in the way people think.”

It also comes in the face of a Government requirement county-wide to provide an extra 100,000 houses in the next 25 years.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill confirmed the sale of the land would also create capital for the county which could be reinvested into services and he pushed the affordable housing and requested contributions.

The county has examined its holdings and Councillor Hill said he believes a lot of it is suitable for development, indicating that other areas could also soon see similar proposals.

He said he was ‘surprised’ by the rejection in the face of officers recommendations.

He added: “I think we’ve got to accept that and we’ve got to consider our next move.

“We’re no different to any other land owner and will be treated no different. We believe it’s within the policies of the Boston plan and we’ll have to look at the decision and decide what happens next.”