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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A 43-year-old woman has been jailed for three years and 10 months after stealing £5 from a man in his 50s and pushing him over.
The man was approached by Kylee Ann Orton, of Frank Wright Court in Lincoln, as he was walking along Yarborough Road on October 4, 2020. The incident was reported to Lincolnshire Police at 10.46pm that evening.
A sum of £5 was taken from the victim, who thankfully sustained no injuries during the ordeal, police said.
The Lincolnshire Police city centre team located and arrested the suspect.
The case was heard at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, January 17. Orton pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to 46 months in prison.
An extra day was added to the sentence for failure to appear at a previous hearing.
A senior South Kesteven District Councillor has stepped down as an executive director of its environment company less than three months after being installed into position.
Conservative Councillor Robert Reid told the Companies Committee on Tuesday that he had “honestly felt” he could manage the position on Environment SK, along with his role as Cabinet Member for Housing, when he was voted in on November 2 and that he “wanted to help”.
Scrutiny councillors, including Independent Councillor Ashley Baxter, were keen to point out that they had previously questioned if the member “had the bandwidth to do this job and whether or not there was any conflict of interest”.
Councillor Reid said: “In absolute transparency, I have found there are issues within the Housing Revenue Account contract and, simply, I might have been better to have taken advice.”
He said he had previously stated he would always put his cabinet role first and added that in his short tenure he had put in place processes to “make the way forward for the transparency of the company” and refocus its direction.
Independent Councillor Philip Knowles said: “There was always a clear, clear conflict of interest between those two roles and I’m very, very pleased to say that now that’s been corrected.”
Independent Councillor Phil Dilks, who does not sit on the committee, said there had been a “pattern of confusion” around directors and accused the council’s officers of “farcical confusion” at previous meetings.
“When are we going to get this right?” He asked.
“It’s just total confusion, it’s a bloody pantomime.”
Councillors also suggested the latest update raised questions around whether there was a conflict of interest of fellow cabinet member Conservative Councillor Adam Stokes – who oversees the authority’s finance and budget, including grounds maintenance – sitting on the company.
“If Adam Stokes is a cabinet member, responsible for procuring grounds maintenance, how can he also be the chair of the company which is delivering grounds maintenance?” Said Councillor Baxter.
“The role of the director of EnvironmentSK is to maximise the income for ESK, the role of the the cabinet member of the finance is to minimise what we pay our contractors,” he commented.
Councillors also raised questions over SKDC finance chief Councillor Adam Stokes.
Councillor Reid said he had “every confidence” in Councillor Stokes.
Conservative leader Councillor Kelham Cooke suggested there was a reshuffle of his cabinet on the horizon, but told councillors advice had been received that showed there was no conflict of interest.
He said it would be shared with members.
At the meeting Councillors agreed to appoint Alan Robinson as the director of Environment SK and also to approve the appointment of an interim Non-Executive Director for up to one year at a cost of £12,000.
Lincolnshire County Council has said it will defend its decision to refuse permission to major oil companies to drill in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty after the company behind the proposals announced it will appeal the outcome.
Egdon Resources’ plans for Biscathorpe, to draw up more than 30 million barrels of oil and provide 15 years’ supply, were rejected by Lincolnshire County Council in November.
Councillors and campaigners said the proposals would spoil the Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and that the benefits did not outweigh the harmful impacts.
A statement from Egdon released this week said it was “pleased” to advise its intention to submit an appeal to proceed with the side-track drilling operation, associated testing and long-term oil production at the Biscathorpe site.
“The decision has been made after reviewing LCC’s decision notice, taking advice from our planning and legal advisors and in agreement with our joint venture partners.
“The appeal documentation is currently in preparation and is expected to be submitted during quarter one 2022.”
A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council said it was aware of the appeal to be made in February.
“The council will be defending its reason for refusing the application,” they said.
Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee on November 1.
The Biscathorpe plans faced a fierce backlash with a petition handed to the council carrying more than 1,790 signatures, while more than 200 locals also submitted objections.
Campaigners said the drill would emit huge amounts of carbon and will fly in the face of climate concerns – though the climate does not come under planning regulations.
Five of the parish councils closest to the site – Donnington-On-Bain, Hemingby, South Elkington, Welton-Le-Wold and South Willingham – were also against the plans, along with MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins, Natural England, Historic England, and multiple others.
The developers said the site would be restored to agricultural use once the drilling had finished.
Egdon previously drilled in the location in 2018 and said there was little impact, it also said it was going to work closely with the Environment Agency.
When the plans were refused, many campaigners said they expected the decision to be appealed but would not give up their fight.
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