Lincolnshire Highways officers say they 'stick to the rules' following criticism from Weston, Moulton and Pinchbeck councillors

Highways officers insist they have to stick to ‘very specific rules’ when judging planning applications - after coming under fire for not objecting to developments.

In recent weeks, councillors and residents have expressed their disappointment with Lincolnshire County Council’s highways department when it comes to its response to housing plans.

Councillors in Weston and Moulton aired frustrations - echoed by residents in Pinchbeck - that highways officers had not raised objections to large scale housing developments.

They argued that it’s tough for South Holland District Council to block plans on road and transport grounds if officers have said they have no objections - with developers likely to win an appeal if they can show the county council did not raise highways issues.

Concerns have been raised that the area’s road network will struggle to cope with the impact of more housing.

The Spalding Guardian put questions to the highways department to ask why it is reluctant to oppose developments. We also asked it to explain the criteria for judging planning applications and whether or not its officers listen to residents’ concerns when passing their verdicts.

A spokesman declined to directly provide an answer but said there are ‘very specific rules and regulations that we have to base our advice on when we comment on planning applications’.

The spokesman added: “Highways are just one of the many statutory consultees on planning applications, and ultimately it is for the planning authority to determine whether or not a development should go ahead.

“Planning authorities take into account the views of other organisations and residents when they’re determining applications, which could include their own thoughts on the impact of developments on the roads.”

Residents are worried that narrow lanes will not cope with a plan for 38 homes off Milestone Lane in Pinchbeck.

Councillors are also concerned with the impact of 150 homes between High Road and the A151 in Weston - and 144 homes being built either side of Roman Road in Moulton Chapel.