December 21, 2018 10.43 am This story is over 63 months old

Revised Bourne homes plan fails to impress councillors

They need to be convinced there are no flood risks
The Elsea Park masterplan in Bourne which is earmarked for housing developments.

Councillors in South Kesteven have gone against their officers’ recommendations to approve a 174 home plan in Bourne after failing to be impressed with its design.

The plans, from Taylor Wimpy, had already been delayed following a meeting in November after councillors on the Development Management Committee described them as “lazy”, “lacklustre” and “like a maze”.

The development would have been built on Elsea Park, off the A151 near the town.

Officers had recommended approval subject to the signing of a Section 106, however, minutes from the meeting say: Members did not feel that the design went far enough with some concerns being expressed about how the proposals related to paragraph 124 of the National Planning Policy Framework and the recent emphasis that was increasingly being placed on high quality design.”

Councillors also raised concerns over the density of the proposed development, the layout, the integration of open space and access and how it fit into the wider Elsea Park development.

Officers reported a number of changes to the original designs, including “corner-turning” houses, two additional pedestrian connections, extra paving, and landscaping.

Documents before councillors said: “The proposal would secure 174 readily deliverable new dwellings, including 15 affordable dwellings, for the district.

“The applicant has sought to address Members concerns in relation to the design of the scheme.

“Further information in relation to surface water drainage also demonstrates that the scheme would reduce the risk of flooding in the locality.”

Councillors however, disagreed during the meeting, voting six-five against the application.