Dozens more objections against controversial cycle park in the Wolds
A controversial cycle park planned in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the county’s primary Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will again be discussed by the council after dozens more objections and amended proposals.
The applicant, Lincs Design Consultancy Ltd, was first granted permission for the 100-acre off-road cycle park in the Hainton Estate, near South Willingham, in December 2022.
This was given the green light despite the concerns of local villagers who feared it would create congestion in the Lincolnshire Wolds, though hundreds of cyclists across the county supported the scheme.
Proposals were for a change of use to the land to make way for a recreationally used cycle park, as well as the construction of associated cycle tracks/trails, a visitor centre, and provision for access and car parking.
Initial approval came with the condition that no development would take place until a method statement and construction management plan was submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority.
This also included hard surface construction schedules, a scheme of works for landscaping and tree planting, archaeological investigations, and measures to mitigate against traffic generation and drainage of the site during construction stages.
As such, there have been application requests to discharge and vary almost all conditions placed on the original approval to allow for a different phasing of the development, with an updated document to match each of the requests.
Condition 17 of the first approval relates to development phasing, of which the agent states that changes to the economic climate have meant “an alternative approach” is required.
Instead, the applicant hopes to operate and generate an income “prior to all phases being completed.”
The first approved phasing was for enabling works to be done first, followed by trails in the south field and a learn to ride track, then the visitor centre, and finally accessible trails in the south-east field.
Now, proposals are for access roads, parking and off site passing places to be phase one, trails in the northern fields and the main perimeter loop trail for the bikes to be phase two, trails in the south field for phase three, and the visitor centre, pump track and learn to ride track coming last.
East Lindsey District Council’s Planning Committee will consider multiple variations to the initial proposal due to a “significant number of objections and the recommendation to approve.”
A total of 69 representative neighbour objections were received on a number of grounds, including the possibility of it becoming an eyesore, the impact it could have on the character of the Lincolnshire Wolds, as well as impact on wildlife, road verges and more.
Notably, there was not one supporting comment in the public consultation on the fresh planning document, and it wasn’t just residents who had strong feelings against this development.
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Other objections include Natural England, which says the development would have a “significant impact on the purpose of designation of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” and South Willingham Parish Council, which says it is concerned around possible negative outcomes from relaxing requirements on the project.
The Parish Council fear the allowing of ad hoc events on a partially-developed site could include scarring the landscape of a 200-space car park which “could be the legacy of a failed development,” plus a lack of signage on approaches, destruction of habitat, and compromise to biodiversity.
Lincolnshire County Councillor Patricia Bradwell, of the East Lindsey district, also objected to the application, on grounds that “only the car park and passing places will be provided,” along with fears of increased traffic along the “narrow” Donington Road.
However, the recommendation to the East Lindsey District Council Planning Committee, which will debate and discuss the Wolds Cycle Park on Thursday, March 7, is to approve the updated plan with conditions.