‘We are very angry and very afraid!’ Campaigners is Sutterton and Algarkirk object to distribution centre plans ‘twice the size’ of neigbouring village

‘Angry and scared’ villagers have united to oppose a planning application to build a warehouse and distribution site on 23 acres of land – arguing it would forever ‘change the character’ of their homes.

SAAG – the Sutterton and Algarkirk Action Group – have raised concerns regarding proposals for the grade one, undeveloped, agricultural land between Station Road in Sutterton and the far side of Church Lane, Algarkirk.

And campaigners have already received more than 100 objections from residents.

Applicant Towermist Limited say the development would bring ‘high-quality employment’ to the area in their application to Boston Borough Council.

Residents – who argue the proposed plans are ‘twice the size of Algarkirk village’ – met to organise opposition to the outline application to build large and medium industrial, warehouse, and distribution units across two prime fields, and the main access road to Algarkirk village.

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“We are very angry, and very afraid,” said SAAG chair David Bradley.

“Because this is an outline application, we have no guarantee as to what could eventually end up here.

“But, the plans, as set out so far, are for a site that would be more than twice the size of Algarkirk village, and will approximately double Sutterton’s industrial footprint.

“Such a large, highly visible, development would change the character of our grade one, historic, fen villages forever, and destroy the heritage setting that currently exists.”

Sutterton Parish Council chair Deborah Sands added: “Bringing HGVs, vans and employee traffic into Station Road where the entrance to the new site is planned, will only increase heavy traffic through the villages, and at the Sutterton roundabout, already an accident hot spot.

“There is over 18 hectares of allocated land for industrial development already in Sutterton that has not been taken up.

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“And, if you look online, there is no shortage of warehousing jobs out there that companies can’t fill.

“We, the parish council, are not against progress, but feel this development is not needed here.”

Chair of Algarkirk Parish Council, George Reid, argued “Not only will this plan will also increase noise, odour, and light pollution, to the detriment of villagers, and the rich diversity of wildlife that surrounds us, it will also potentially block Church Lane to village traffic, isolating residents in the process.

“Development needs to be sustainable: at a time of climate risk and food insecurity, needlessly taking land out of use will compromise the future for the next generations.”

the design and access statement put together by Robert Doughty Consultancy Limited on behalf of Towermist said: “Outline Planning permission is sought for the erection of a range of buildings to provide employment opportunities in the commercial, general industrial and warehousing and distribution sectors.

“The site will provide a location for high-quality employment opportunities which will take advantage of the intersection between the A17 and A16.”

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