July 16, 2020 11.16 am This story is over 43 months old

Birchwood green development passed despite residents’ opposition

Objectors feared the loss of open space, increased noise, loss of light and highway safety

A 49-home plan for a Lincoln recreation ground has been passed despite a 118-signature petition from residents against the development.

City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the application by Birchwood Area Community Land Trust on behalf of Birchwood Big Local, to build 49 new homes on Jasmin Green.

Objectors feared the loss of open space, increased noise, loss of light, and highway safety with new roads.

Speaker Gemma White said many had been unaware of the plans.

She said: “It is the last place like it on Birchwood, it’s used by people who don’t have a garden.”

She added that with COVID-19: “The green space is needed more than ever for exercise and fresh air.”

How the site would be lid out under the plans.

“It will cut the area in half and take away the character of the neighbourhood,” she said.

She also raised fears over future development on the remaining land and open space.

The trust took ownership of the site from the council in 2017, and remaining undeveloped land includes two planned play spaces.

It had been consulting on plans since 2015.

The applicants said the money raised would help maintain the area for years to come.

Birchwood ward Councillor Eddie Strengiel said a number of things had already been done to improve play parks, including the new Diamond Park off Epsom Close.

“This application will safeguard the majority of the green space in perpetuity for the whole community,” he said.

City of Lincoln’s planning committee on July 15.

Agent Daniel Sharp added: “The scheme has been designed to be highly landscaped focused and reduce the impact on Jasmine Green.

“The impacts are far outweighed by the many benefits it will bring.”

Councillors agreed with the benefits for the area, including additional housing, but were sympathetic to objectors’ concerns.

Councillor Chris Burke said: “We cannot act on [allegations of further development] but I think we should note that we agree with the residents that that protecting green areas is a good idea.

“I recognise that those 118 people have objected but sadly those people have also got to realise we have got to house people.

“I understand the concerns of local residents, however, there’s an overriding matter.