A photo of the Washingborough site looking towards Canterbury Drive.
Councillors have approved plans for more than 300 homes in Metheringham but deferred another 60 in Washingborough after councillors said they’re “dull” and “lazy”.
Officers said the principle of both developments was “acceptable”.
The Metheringham development included 329 homes as well as new access points from both roads, new internal streets and new sustainable drainage infrastructure.
More than 60 residents have written to the council in response to the plans, including 52 letters of objection and seven in support.
Those objecting to the plans said there had been a lack of consultation, that number of new homes is more than what was proposed in the area’s local plan and that there would be a large increase in traffic.
How the new homes in Metheringham would be laid out.
Officers said the council had undertaken “proportionate and reasonable” consultation, especially prior to the pandemic. They added the location was a “logical place” to meet housing need.
James Wrigley, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the proposal would be a “real asset” to the village.
“This is not just a standard housing scheme, considerable care and attention has been spent in looking at what this site can bring to the village and the type of place we want to create,” he said.
A statement from objector John Walker, however, said more was needed to be done regarding local flooding and drainage, saying the build would only “exacerbate” the problem.
The Washingborough Site already had outline permission as part of a wider 185-home plan for the area, however, councillors were not impressed by the designs.
The proposals would see 15 Canterbury Drive demolished in order to create access from the road.
15 of the homes would be classed as affordable and the plans include 0.19 hectares of public open space, including a play area.
The council had received 28 letters of objection to the plans, with concerns including the density and scale of the development, the loss of privacy, the impact on flooding and drainage and the impact on the local road network.
Ward councillor Ian Carrington said the plans were “dull” and “lazy”. “It’s not rooted,” he said.
“It could have been ambitious, it could have been locally distinctive, but what we’ve got is an anywhere suburb.”
Councillor Mary Green said the homes were reminiscent of the 30s/40s and said it was a “great shame when an opportunity had presented itself to make a mark worthy of presenting itself for the 21st century”.
How the Washingborough site would be laid out.
Other objectors raised concerns over the safety of Canterbury Drive saying the road was a narrow, blind bend used by busses, HGVs and other heavy vehicles.
Agent Lewis Smith, speaking on behalf of the applicant said: “We have carefully considered the impact on existing trees, hedges and ecology.
“The proposed means of access is acceptable.”
He said the proposals would “serve to present a distinctive design to the character of the area”.
“The proposal before the committee is policy compliant in all respects and there are no constraints on the site preventing the development from coming forward.”
Councillors hoped the applicants would work with them to improve the designs.
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England will enter the next stage of its roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, meaning non-essential retail and gyms can reopen, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants for outdoor service only.
The rules will come into play on Monday, April 12, allowing for the retail sector to open its doors for customers once again, less than two weeks after the latest lockdown easing on March 29, which meant outdoor socialising was allowed for up to six people.
Hospitality venues will be able to reopen as well, but only for outdoor service, with a full reopening planned for May 17 if COVID-19 cases continue to stay low and the vaccination programme keeps its course.
The rule of six does still remain for outdoor socialising, and people are still being asked not to meet indoors with anyone they don’t live with, unless they are part of a support bubble or legally exempt.
People are also still being asked to keep travel down to a minimum, though since March 29 it is no longer a legal requirement to stay local or at home.
The full list of new rules are:
Hairdressers and nail salons can reopen
Public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
Non-essential retail (clothes shops etc) will be able to return to business
Self-contained accommodation will be able to reopen for overnight stays with your household or support bubble
Weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be allowed up to 15 people, including inside, but wedding receptions must be outdoors
All childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors and outdoors for all children, this is also the case for parent and child groups
Most outdoor attractions (zoos, theme parks, drive-in performances) will be able to reopen
Care home residents will be able to have two named individuals for regular indoor visits (so long as they have a negative lateral flow test)
Lincolnshire Police’s assistant chief constable, Kerrin Wilson, said: “Lockdown has hit practically every aspect of life as we know it, and perhaps the hardest part has been not being able to connect with family and friends in person.
“The easing of restrictions will come as a great relief to many, and I hope the new rules, which afford us the chance to socialise safely as well as get back to doing some of the things we all took for granted, will contribute to a feeling of wellbeing for us all.
“While many of you will already be busy making plans, some of you may feel a sense of nervousness or worry about society opening back up, and we want to assure you that we are still here to protect you and enforce the rules when needed.
“The easing of restrictions does not mean that lockdown has lifted completely. It is a journey that we are all on, and to enable later restrictions to be lifted in June we must all do our bit to continue to follow the rules now.
Legal limits on the number of people allowed to gather at one time remain in place, social distancing must be maintained, and masks worn in public settings such as shops or public transport to keep yourself and everyone else safe. Let’s continue to be sensible and watch out for each other.”
Meanwhile, to help with keeping cases low, free rapid asymptomatic tests can be ordered at home. Here are the details.