More than 400 homes on a farm near Grantham have been approved by South Kesteven District Council.
The authority’s planning committee gave the go ahead to two separate applications for land at Rectory Farm, with one for 220 homes by Rob Thorley of Jelson Ltd, and another for 228 by Georgina McCrae at Linden Homes.
Since they both related to the same development, the applications were discussed at the same time.
The land has been allocated for residential development in the council’s local plan since 2010 but previous plans caused concern for officers and consultees. However, officers say these have now been resolved.
The builds are part of the Grantham North West Quadrant sustainable urban extension which also includes the nearby partially-completed 1,800-home Poplar Farm development where community facilities including a school, community centre, sports ground and neighbourhood centre have been or are due to be completed.
Council officer Philip Moore said both sites were “a high quality standard” and accorded with both planning policies and the master plan for the area.
He said there had been a “long period of working with the developers to improve the design” on earlier plans, which were “an important component” for the overall growth strategy for the area.
Both sites will be accessed from Barrowby Road.
How the 220-home plan would be laid out.
Objectors said there was no need for more housing and lamented the loss of agricultural land.
Concerns included a lack of infrastructure in the nearby area, that the development would increase congestion and impact on highway safety, and that it was out of character.
Keith Hargraves objected to the number of houses and the extra cars it would create which he said would add a number of minutes to travel times.
He said a decision to remove a roundabout meant his home would be on a new cross roads.
He accused the developers of a “lack of thought” over the siting of the new roads.
A screenshot from South Kesteven Planning Meeting on December 23 including, from top right, committee chairman Councillor Bob Adams, objector Keith Hargraves, Linden Homes’ Georgina McCrae and planning officer Philip Moore.
The developers have been asked to contribute a combined total of nearly £5.4million towards infrastructure including roads, education, health and open space.
On top of this, each development has been asked to make 10% of their buildings affordable.
How the 228-home plan would be laid out.
Georgina McCrae, planning manager at Linden Homes, spoke on behalf of both applications.
She said the homes were likely to surpass government requirements around building regulations due to come in.
“Thesefirstphaseapplicationswillreleasethislongstandingallocationformuchneededdeliveryofhousingassisting SouthKesteveninmeetingitscurrenttargetfor14,000newhomesby2036,” she said.
Councillors sympathised with the objectors’ concerns over the road network, however, in the end voted both plans through.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.