Green light for housing plans

A new housing development will be built in Bourne along with the promise of extra cash to fund more affordable homes.

Planning permission has been granted for 25 homes at Wherry’s Lane, provided the developer pays towards the development of seven extra affordable homes at a different site in the town.

This is the first scheme to be presented by Gravitas Housing Ltd, a commercial company owned by South Kesteven District Council.

The plans were approved by SKDC’s planning committee on Tuesday despite concern from Bourne Town Council that the town centre is at risk of over-development.

Gravitas spokesman Andrew Sweeney said: “Our market research found a need for town centre living. The scheme contributes to the vitality of the town centre and has good access to services.”

The plans include 20 apartments and five town-houses with 25 parking spaces.

Only four of the properties will be available as affordable homes, which is why Gravitas has been asked to make a £454,000 contribution to another development in the town.

Council-owned land at Meadow Close has been earmarked as a possible site for the additional homes, but there is more work to be done before a planning application can be submitted. This could taking until around January 2019.

Members of the planning committee were keen for the affordable housing contribution to be specifically ring-fenced for Bourne and made it a condition of the planning consent.

Legal advisors had warned against adding the condition, stating that if a site isn’t found in the town, the money would be lost. Without the condition, the money could be used elsewhere in the district if a site in Bourne couldn’t be found.

But Councillor Michael King (Con) said: “Heaven help us if we can’t provide seven houses in Bourne within the next four and a half years.”

Councillor for Bourne East Judy Smith (Con) said: “I very much support this housing coming to Bourne.”