Rejected developer’s latest plans for Horncastle to be approved

A developers’ latest attempt to impress councillors with an 89-home proposal in Horncastle could succeed next Thursday.

Officers at East Lindsey District Council are recommending approval of Gleeson Homes’ plans for land off Winceby Gardens to the authority’s planning committee.

A previous attempt by the developer for 97 homes on the site was refused in December 2019 after councillors said residents “deserved better” in terms of quality and design.

Residents feared the increased use of nearby roads as a “rat run”. An appeal against the decision was dismissed in July.

East Lindsey District Council’s planning committe refused a previous application in December 2019.

Gleeson Homes hopes the new plans will address a number of the concerns, with open spaces to the north providing a “buffer zone” with Banovallum Gardens and the new road layout being “pedestrian friendly”.

The new homes will include 24 two-bedroom, 58 three-bedroom and seven four-bedroom houses.

In a report before councillors, officers said the plans are considered acceptable and “would overcome” the concerns raised by the appeal inspector.

“With the reduction in housing numbers, the increased amount of open space and the changed layout, it is considered that the proposed housing estate would respond in a positive way to those estates around it and if approved would provide a sense of place that would harmonise with its surroundings,” they said.

Residents fear an increase in the road being used as a “rat run”.

Objections have been received from 15 nearby addresses. Those against the plans say it “doesn’t overcome the reasons for appeal dismissal”.

They say that despite reduction in the number of houses, the density of areas of the development has increased, that it doesn’t reflect the character of the area and doesn’t include  a “good sized play area” in the middle of the site.

Horncastle Town Council has also called for the plans to be refused again, though say they realise the town must grow.

They are backed by the Winceby Gardens Action group which says the development is “out of scale”.