Spalding councillors say Cowbit Road entrance to new Lincs Gateway warehouse is an ‘accident waiting to happen’

The access to a major new industrial development off a busy Spalding road has been labelled ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

Alcan Properties has been given outline planning permission to build three storage and distribution buildings for the Lincs Gateway site but planners on South Holland District Council have expressed traffic safety concerns on the already busy Cowbit Road in Spalding.

Lorries and cars will be using the existing entrance – which is opposite the Applegreen Services, but the developer has agreed to fund a £4,500 investigation into lowering the 60mph speed limit.

Emma White, who represented applicant Alcan Properties, told Wednesday’s planning committee meeting that there had been three applications for this site but ‘nothing meaningful’ has happened. She vowed that her firm would be able to control the delivery of the scheme as there are no third party investors.

She told the meeting that the ‘end users’ would be local and regional firms bringing new jobs and added: “Post covid food security issue and the need to be self-sufficient is driving expansion in the warehouse and storage market.”

Ward member Coun Mark Le Sage spoke out about concerns of the road. He said: “I drove around that corner at 60mph in daylight and other people are slowing down to turn right into Applegreen - it is exceptionally dangerous.

“That is an accident waiting to happen.”

Coun Rob Gibson said he struggled with this development due to benefits for the area and the impact on residents but also raised concerns about the access.

He said: “I can’t understand why it is on that corner. Why not go in from the roundabout?”

Head of Planning Phil Norman told members that the county council’s highways were ‘entirely comfortable’ with the scheme.

Second ward member Dave Ashby also raised fears that the warehousing will be overbearing and highlighted concerns about sewage. He said: “They already have problems along Fen End Lane with bad smells coming from the vent pipes as it is taking Applegreen (waste) and it is going to take this as well.”

Coun Jack Tyrell was disappointed with the design compared with previous schemes for the gateway to Spalding and said: “We are just going to end up with three sheds. There is nothing for start-up businesses which I think we need.”

Coun Bryan Alcock called on the developers to think about the design as it is a ‘sensitive site’ as it is on the approach to town.

He asked for an exploration of what is causing the smell issue in Fen End Lane but added: “I am pleased someone has the confidence to develop the site but I am disappointed if some of these points cause the residents grief in the future.”

Chairman James Avery highlighted that further detail would need to be provided in the reserved matters scheme.

He said: “Spalding, as we all know, has a number of issues and if this is going to be the gateway to Spalding it has to be right but it has to generate employment and have a knock on effect on the town centre.”

The application was approved by ten members and only Coun Tyrrell voted against it.