Plans to improve Long Sutton's skate park were discussed at last week's parish council meeting

A mother and son discussed their plans to improve Long Sutton’s skate park at last Thursday’s parish council meeting.

Heidi Bracken and her son Jake are looking to add smoother and universally friendly shapes and curves to the metal ramp, rail edge and box that are already present at the park.

Ms Bracken told councillors on Thursday that while talks with benefactors had been harder to organise than expected, they continue to press ahead with their proposal.

“We have spent a lot of time at the park to think about different things,” she said.

“We don’t have to change much as there is already a skate park.”

She also said that the expansion would take the park closer to surrounding trees, which would have to be factored into the planning application.

Parish clerk Karen Treacher also voiced frustrations regarding the lack of Section 106 funding available to Long Sutton.

Section 106 agreements are used to fund affordable housing, education and health as part of planning permissions.

“Last Christmas, no 106 money was available to Long Sutton Parish Council,” said Coun Treacher.

She said a pot of money instead goes to Lincolnshire County Council, with Coun Frank Heinrich-Tiller suggesting the parish council should try to get in ahead of county bosses when future funding becomes available.

It was confirmed that the repainting of Cross Keys Bridge would commence in February 2022 - and that the bridge will not be closed for the work.

Instead, traffic control measures will be put in place. Councillors predicted these will last for about four months.

Coun Heinrich-Tiller also said that the council is not too far away from implementing speed watch plans. “We just need some people to do it,” he said. “If we can get together, we can help them and they can help us.

“I get the impression that it’s all ready to go.”

A number of planning applications were also considered at last Thursday’s meeting with councillors giving their support. These included the display of advertising signs upon existing premises at 59 Vicarage Lane.

Others included a wooden garage being built, the partial demolition and extension of an existing bungalow, the erection of nine dwellings on land at Seagate Road, and proposed stables, haybarn and tack room opposite Sunrise, Spendlas Lane.