February 11, 2019 2.25 pm This story is over 61 months old

Sutton Bridge developer argues housing need outweighs countryside

Open countryside areas include certain planning protections
How the development in Sutton Bridge could look.

A developer is arguing that a need for housing means their application for 70 homes in Sutton Bridge should be approved.

Loyd Homes wants to put the development, a mix of two-four bedroom buildings which will include 17 affordable homes, on land north of Withington Street.

The land is an area in South Holland District Council’s local plan designated as “open countryside” – which has protections as an area outside defined settlement boundaries.

However, in documents before the authority, agents say the council’s own policies note Sutton Bridge as a “main service centre” with a housing requirement for 260 homes to be built.

They also point out that another application for 60 homes, off Nightingale Way to the west has been approved by the council.

“At present the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply,” say the documents.

“Whilst the site is located in open countryside the simple fact cannot be ignored that major development has been permitted immediately to the west of the site and this application will provide a natural expansion of Sutton Bridge with the cumulative effect of both development sites potentially providing 50% of the identified housing requirement for the town.

“Whether the proposal is considered to be the “right type” and in the “right place” is a matter for the decision maker to determine but we would argue that the objectives … are met.”

The proposals will be considered by the council’s planning committee at a later date.

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