‘Disaster waiting to happen’ – Councillor’s fury over Gainsborough housing development

A Gainsborough councillor has raised concerns over the development of 49 new homes alongside the River Trent, calling it a “disaster waiting to happen’.

While attending a West Lindsey District Council Planning Committee meeting, Councillor Matthew Boles (Liberal Democrat) labelled North Country Home’s plans for land to the west of Horsley Road as “dangerous”.

The original proposals, from Thonock and Somerby Estates, were approved at outline stage in 2019.

However they sparked outcry from a number of local residents who believed the land is at “huge risk” of flooding and also cited issues regarding access and parking.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Boles said: “There are still huge concerns about this, mainly the access.

“It is just dangerous, there’s no other way to put it. That’s when it’s built – what it’s going to be like while under constriction, I dread to think.”

How the site would be laid out | Image: West Lindsey District Council

He continued: “Access is next to the child’s play area on the original estate, that is an accident waiting to happen.

“As we saw from the cars parked around the estate, how on Earth are construction lorries going to get in and out of that access point?

“If there was an accident, how are emergency vehicles going to get in and out? They’re just not.

“It is a disaster waiting to happen and we should be doing better for our residents.”

He later cited worries over the growing number of housing developments across the town and explained he felt this site would be much better suited as an extension to the Roses Sport Ground.

“We have two sports grounds in Gainsborough that are both at capacity and that is before we build thousands of houses,” continued Councillor Boles.

“Where are these people going to have sport and leisure?

“We are failing the residents of Gainsborough by ramming in housing developments that are just not fit for purpose.”

The meeting was told that those concerns weren’t up for discussion at that time, since outline approval had already been granted.

Councillor Matthew Boles | Photo: West Lindsey District Council stream

Local resident Dawn Anderson also wrote to the council ahead of the meeting, saying: “Whilst we appreciate that Gainsborough is being rejuvenated, there are already new build sites all over town.

“Yes, people need a place to live, but surely these developments are more than adequate and there is no need for more residential development.

“It would be more prudent to develop the infrastructure of the town to offer more facilities than building another 49 properties.”

Members of the Planning Committee were then asked to vote on designs for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the development. These were passed, with the only opposition being from Councillor Boles.

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