Spalding area gypsy and traveller site decision is put back

Members have asked officers to go back to the applicant to gain more information on the location of the pitches and landscaping to mitigate the impact on nearby residents.

Earlier in the meeting, site neighbour Simon Rummery told the meeting that he had lived in the area for 40 years and raised concerns about the impact of the site.

He said he enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of his wildlife garden, which is close to the site boundary.

Mr Rummery said: “I am sure that locating a number of caravans there will rob me of that peace.”

Agent Grant Fixer told the committee that the site had been allocated in the South Lincolnshire local plan and that they had moved the entrance away from nearby dwellings.

He also stated that there had been no objections from statutory consultees such as highways.

Ward member Allan Beal also raised concerns about the site because of its location in the countryside along a 60mph road with no footpaths.

He also highlighted the previous planning history when plans to build housing was refused permission after an appeal.

He said: “This council has spent a lot of time, effort and money in defending this site.”

Speaking after the first vote on the recommendation to approve was lost ,Coun Harry Drury said: “I can see this is going to have to move forward with the officers’ recommendation but I also believe we are not doing our jobs, not withstanding the acceptability of the local plan, as it does dominate the local community.”

He also proposed a recommendation to defer the application for the officers to find out more information such landscaping.

Moulton Chapel development praised for 'refreshing approach'

Planners have praised the designs of a new housing estate for Moulton Chapel.

Members of South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee were impressed by the 14 different styles of houses submitted by Postland Developments.

The firm already had planning permission to build 58 homes on a site off Roman Road, which will include the demolition of the village garage, and now the committee has signed off the designs.

A crescent with an ornamental pond is a central feature of the development, which includes a mixture of bungalows to three storey homes. The look of some houses was inspired by old chapels.

Agent Gordon Smith said the firm produce small and unique schemes.

He said: "We felt we would like to have a new access from Roman Road, looking at an avenue of trees and shrubs. There will also be a seating area at the entrance."

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• Council says it is going to have fund significant shortfall for school expansion
• 86 home development gets permission despite school objections
• Plans go in for Springfields development

Ward member Andrew Woolf highlighted that Larkfleet Homes has recently been granted planning permission to build 86 homes on another site in Roman Road.

He said it was pleasing that the Postland had made a contribution towards the NHS and also raised concerns about the distance some residents will have to walk to put their bins out.

Coun Woolf said: "I think this development looks fantastic.

"We have seen far worse applications and probably won't see much better."

Coun Rodney Grocock said the applicants had taken a "refreshing approach".

He said: "I do like the tree line entrance. I am looking forward to this being built so I can walk around it."

While Coun Anthony Casson said it was a "crying shame" to lose the garage and would have like to see a footpath linking the site to Woodgate.

Coun Harry Drury was pleased with the mixture of house types and added: "I love the design of the site, it is not often you see the a crescent shape."

The positive comments were echoed by Coun James Avery, who said it was refreshing to see character in the design.

Coun Bryan Alcock raised concerns about the distances between some garages and houses, fearing that it would encourage on street parking.

The plans were unanimously approved.

Last month, Moulton Chapel Primary School said it was full and would need to expand to cope with the Larkfleet development and the additional children.

Crowland Cranes

Councillors have approved a company’s bid to increase the height of materials they can store.

Crowland Cranes was previously allowed to stack materials up to 2m in height but this has now been increased to 5m following Wednesday’s meeting.

The Crease Drove site, which has 5m deep bund topped by planting, will soon be neighboured by a number of housing developments. Up to 108 homes were approved in November last year.

Ward member Coun Bryan Alcock said the firm had been there for some considerable time.

He said: “It is important from an employment point of view and we don’t want to prejudice the future of that company.

“We are forced to consider the residential amenity of housing in relation to it but in this instance we have got the balance absolutely right.”

Coun Michael Seymour said: “It is the biggest employer in Crowland. Every time an application goes in around we try to protect it.

“We want to keep that company in our area.”

Coun Harry Drury said that the bund would negate any detrimental impact.

He said: “We have always said that residential development did not have to have a negative impact on a well respected business and now we have got to demonstrate that.”

It was approved.

Crowland self-storage plans are approved

Residents will soon be able to use a self-storage facility after an application has been given the thumbs up.

Ruthkay Ltd has applied to have 21 storage containers sited within a secure compound in James Road, Crowland.

The plans will also include the removal of dilapidated industrial buildings.

Wednesday’s planning committee was told that there had been concerns lodged by local residents who had suffered noise, and light pollution from the previous activity on the site.

Coun Michael Seymour said he would support the application.

He said: “I think there is a great need for self-storage. People want storage away from their houses.

“This is a site with good access, off a good road, it’s the old A16 so it’s not busy.”

Coun Harry Drury said the site had been used for storage since the 1970s.

He said: “Given the density of a lot of developments we are seeing, self-storage is going to be even more needed. Houses seem to be getting smaller and garages less.

“I think this will be a welcome addition to the business in the district.”

Councillors unanimously approved the application but have added a condition for details of lighting on the site to be submitted in order to help alleviate issues suffered by nearby residents.

Moulton Eaugate extension gets rubber stamped

Councillors have approved plans to extend a home.

The Planning Committee has rubber stamped an application to add a single storey extension onto a semi-detached home in Randall Bank, Moulton Eaugate.

This will create a shower room and kitchen.

Throckenholt extension

A new extension will be added onto a home after councillors approved plans.

The single storey extension at a semi-detached home in Coronation Avenue, Throckenholt, will now be replaced.

The building will be used for a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.