Crowland resident calls for closer working with developer while councillor walks out in Donington application

Mr Stanbridge, who lives in nearby Monks Meadow, spoke at the meeting when he raised concerns about security and would like to see gates installed to prevent the back areas near a dyke from becoming a thoroughfare.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Stanbridge said: “A lot of us feel very disappointed over what has happened. We feel that we have been treated pretty unfairly.

“Our view is build your houses - we don’t have a problem. But give us the bit of security we are asking for so we don’t get issues in the future.

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“The developer should be working in harmony with existing residents and businesses.”

In June, councillors deferred making a decision due to site’s proximity to Crowland Cranes.

However, Tim Whaller, who was speaking for the applicant, told the meeting that safety concerns about Crowland cranes were not a “material planning consideration”.

Ashwood had previously told the council that creating a 30m buffer close to site would remove 26 plots and that would make the scheme “unviable”.

Ward councillor Jim Astill raised concerns about the sound assessment which had been conducted on site and that future residents could end up with mechanical ventilators due to the noise.

He told the meeting that the crane industry body does not have recommendations with regards to housing close to crane sites as it is not happening elsewhere.

Fellow Crowland ward member Bryan Alcock said: “Why we are moving houses next to general industry and potentially jeopardising business does seem nonsense but I know why we are here.”

Coun Andrew Tennant pointed out that other development sites in the area had a road and buffer zone from Crowland Cranes.

Coun Francis Bigadike said: “As there is no strong evidence from our environmental department that the noise will be overbearing.

“I feel that in my opinion that strengthens the case for approval and would like to move the application for approval.”

Coun Harry Drury said that this was a sensitive application but said the committee could not go against the professional advice.

The recommendation was to approve the application subject to Ashwood agreeing to enter into an agreement for 27 affordable homes along with £71,280 to Abbeyview Surgery and £383,527 for Southview Primary School and The Deepings School.

Members voted eight to seven in favour of the application.

Councillor walks out of planning meeting as colleagues are 'not following the rules'

A councillor left a planning meeting early after becoming unhappy with colleagues not following policy.

Coun Michael Seymour says members of South Holland District Council's planning committee are sending out the wrong message to developers by going against the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Coun Seymour left Wednesday's planning meeting during an adjournment after members voted down a recommendation to refuse an application for eight dwellings on an industrial site in Northorpe Lane, Donington.

This site is classed as "open countryside" as it is outside Donington's development boundary within the local plan but members were minded to approve this application.

After the meeting Coun Seymour said it was becoming a regular occurrence that councillors were changing the rules.

Coun Seymour, who also felt unwell but has not left the committee, said: "We have spent five to six years working on a policy and people want to go away from it and it isn't right. It is sending the wrong message out to developers that you can do what you like."

During the meeting Coun Seymour, who represents The Saints, also spoke out stating that the application was outside the development boundary

His sentiments were echoed by councillors Christine Lawton and James Avery, who said the council had spent years developing the plan.

He said: "I just kind of feel that at almost every planning meeting, we are trying to drive a coach and horses through the same plans and policies to find some reason to approve something that should not necessarily be approved."

Mr T Hart has applied to create a cul-de-sac of eight bungalows on the site.

Member of the public Keith Baker spoke in favour of the application during the meeting.

He said: "The land adjacent to 1A Northorpe Road, is considered to be agricultural in use and includes an agricultural type shed at the front.

"The fact is the site is 3,552sqm agricultural and 4,384sqm industrial and commercial uses."

Ward member, Coun Henry Bingham told the meeting that he was in favour of the application and it had been a haulage yard for more than double his lifetime.

He said the redevelopment would in theory would make less noise that its current use.

Coun Bingham said: "A lot of houses have been built after this site was in use and it seems to have got itself in the wrong place."

While Coun Chris Brewis said he was sympathetic and that it looked like a brownfield site.

Coun Harry Drury told the meeting that he felt it was a sustainable site close to Donington.

The application has been deferred for officers to speak to the applicants.

Donington development gets green light

A developer has been given the green light to build 136 homes in Donington.

The planning committee gave unanimous approval to Ashwood Homes application for a disused nursery site in Towndam Lane.

The original application has been reduced down from 150 homes.

It was granted on condition of affordable home provision along with financial contributions to the NHS and education provision.

Whaplode Drove music room hits right note

Plans for a music room in Whaplode Drove have also been approved by councillors.

Peter Mallett had applied for permission to site an outbuilding, to be used as a music room and annexe, at Sycamores in Back Bank.

Coun Andrew Tennant said: “I’m sure my neighbours during my formative years would have wished I had a facility when I was playing Motorhead at 11pm. It is a good location for a music room.”

Spalding extensions are approved

Two extensions in Spalding were also granted planning permission on Wednesday by South Holland district councillors.

Plans for a single storey accessible bedroom extension in Medway, Spalding, was given the green light.

While a first floor bedroom extension and conversion of an integrated double garage to accessible bathroom in Angelica Drive, Spalding, was also approved by committee members.