A 54 home plan on the former Louth Town Football Club site look set for approval next week. However, a decision on developers’ attempts to ditch a replacement sports facility will go into extra time.
Members of East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee will be told that a condition on developer GBM’s original outline permission for 98 homes on the Park Avenue site – which requires it to provide replacement facilities – “remains in force”.
In a report before councillors, officers say: “The scheme before members today may not be commenced until such time as the replacement sports facility is either completed, the condition varied or removed by the local planning authority.
“Whilst it is the case that a new application has been submitted to vary this condition that application will be determined in due course, but for now the condition exists as set out on the outline approval.
“Its compliance or otherwise is not a consideration for this reserved matters application.”
The stadium was hit by an arson attack in August 2016. Photo: The Bootiful Game Twitter
Officers go on to recommend approval for the plans, now at reserve stage, saying they are “of an acceptable design”.
They say the application satisfies some of the conditions imposed, and meets the requirements of planning policies.
In its application to have the condition removed GBM says the facilities “are no longer needed” because the team is no longer playing at a level to justify the requirement.
Instead it proposes a £49,000 contribution towards ELDC’s plans to enhance facilities on London Road.
Louth Town Football Club, however, says it is “desperately trying to get back into Louth” and needs the facilities to play at a higher level.
Amended plans for how the housing would be laid out.
Louth Town Council has unanimously objected to the housing plans because of the condition regarding the replacement facilities and the loss of the sports ground in general.
They say the money offered by the landowner is “not sufficient” and that “only a like-for-like facility should be accepted”.
They also have concerns over the extra traffic, drainage and the development being “overbearing, over-intensive and unsuitable.”
Sport England have also objected to the latest application by GBM over the lack of replacement facilities.
Since outline approval in January 2016, two attempts to vary the condition have been refused by ELDC, while two applications to provide facilities on Fairfield Industrial Estate and London Road Athletics Club have been approved.
It’s hoped the application to remove the replacement facilities condition will go to committee in January.
SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!
Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!