Market Deeping resident hits out at Allison Homes and South Kesteven District Council for planning breaches

A father-of-two has hit out at a housing developer for breaching planning conditions.

Martin Reilly was one of the first to move into a new development off Northfield Road in Market Deeping.

He believed that work would continue to complete the estate, which was given permission in 2017, but has been left frustrated as much remains unfinished.

Martin now says he’s locked in a two year battle with South Kesteven District Council, the planning authority, and Allison Homes, the developer, over breaches to planning permission.

“They simply aren’t sticking to the rules,” the 52-year-old said.

“The council was very wishy washy on the reasons they weren’t enforcing it.”

Martin began doing his own research and believes that at one time 13 out of 26 regulations for the development were breached including the roads and pavements not being properly surfaced, drainage not working and open ditches on site.

He alleges that up until October the roads and pavements hadn’t been completed and that there were open ditches around the site.

Planning conditions are put in place to ensure developers fulfil the promises made when submitting an application. Fines can be imposed if they are not followed.

One of Martin’s biggest frustrations is that the play area remains closed despite commitments that it would be open before the homes were completed.

He says he currently has to drive his two children, who are four and seven, to a play area.

A spokesperson for Allison Homes explained that the footpaths need to be finished and streetlighting installed before the park is opened, but work will begin in April with the park opening in the coming months.

In May 2019, the developer applied for permission for a pumping station and sub-station in the centre of the site which was approved by a council officer but the location of it being next to open green space fuelled further concerns for Martin.

He said: “It is impossible to comprehend what went through someone’s mind to let an eight foot tall brick wall area, which is built to be dangerous to get into, next to where kids will have a football kick around.”

A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said the planning enforcement staff are aware of breaches of planning conditions relating to this development and that it remains committed to ensure it is fully resolved.

Allison Homes has been ‘working closely with SKDC’ since permission was granted’ to discharge the required conditions. They added: “We are not in conflict with any of the planning conditions we have had discharged.”