Lincolnshire readers write about issues in Stamford, Rutland and Spalding

Readers have had plenty to say on what’s in the news.

Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.

Don’t forget, you can always get in touch by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk

I hope to provide clarity on Quarry Farm

Some of your correspondents last week questioned why Rutland County Council’s (RCC’s) cabinet, when considering public responses to our Local Plan consultation, did not discuss Quarry Farm but did discuss Brooke Road. To explain it might be helpful to outline the process of developing a Local Plan. A Local Plan is a series of documents and is produced according to Government guidance; most notably the National Planning Policy Framework. Government guidance provides criteria which guides a local council when considering appropriate sites for development (for housing, employment and gypsy and traveller sites) and covers other issues such as environmental protection; sites for renewable energy and mineral extraction for example. There are three stages for consultation; a “call for sites”, Regulation 18 (of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012) and Regulation 19 of the same regulations. In Rutland we began producing the Local Plan in 2021 and the process has been steered by a cross-party group made up of the leaders of all the political groups on RCC and the portfolio holder for planning. RCC completed Regulation 18 in January this year and the outcome of this consultation, in respect of development land, was what was considered by Cabinet having previously been thoroughly discussed, and the response agreed, by the cross party steering group.

There were a number of sites to which objections were made during the Regulation 18 consultation but which had sound planning guidance to still include them in the Local Plan. One such was the officers’ mess in Edith Weston which already has outline planning permission. Another was Quarry Farm. Most of the objections to Quarry Farm were related to the destruction of the natural habitat on the site but as the site does not have protection, for example it is not designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and mitigation measures could be included in the design of any development to protect the flora and fauna, the cross party working group did not feel the site should be removed from the Local Plan; hence not discussing in the Cabinet meeting. Further, the site itself was included at the request of South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) under the requirements on both councils to co-operate on the production of their respective local plans. Quarry Farm, together with the Stamford North development within Stamford, will enable the building of the Stamford North relief road; a priority for SKDC.

One of your correspondents asked why RCC did not include St George’s barracks within its Regulation 18 consultation and subsequent Local Plan. RCC recognises that there will be development at St George’s barracks in due course but it is currently occupied as an active military base and whilst we have an indicative date for the site to become vacant, and thus able to be developed, the two previous dates set for vacation of the site have passed and the site is still occupied. RCC cannot include a site in a Local Plan if we cannot be certain it will be developed within the lifetime of the Plan.

I trust this clarifies the issues raised by your readers and can assure readers that everyone who wrote to me personally about this did receive a reply from me.

Gale Waller

Leader, Rutland County Council

Look up and be surprised

Further from John Fox letter (August 9)

There is also quite an unusual building in Red Lion Street in need of roof repairs and a lick of paint! I think it has been like this for some time and I do not think anyone even notices it.

I like to get my sketch book out and Stamford is fabulous for drawing building subjects. Churches, stone arch doorways, sagging Collyweston slate roofs, shop fronts to name but a few. I am always looking out for interesting subjects. This building in Red Lion Street certainly is interesting.

When out and about in Stamford, look up! Surprising what one notices.

Trevor Wissen

Braemar Close, Stamford

Ugly pylons are not viable

With regard in the news concerning the proposed new corridors of electricity pylons to be sited all over the country have come about to carry the new supply generated from the wind and solar farms. The National Grid’s existing pylons, at the moment, I believe are not viable in the future as the total supply from the existing pylons is not adequate. So not only will this country be covered in ugly solar panels now we will be having similar eyesores of very large pylons all over our beautiful countryside.

And a final thought these further monstrosities will very probably be paid for by us the customers in our ever raising electricity bills.

Kathleen Knipe

Wilsthorpe

Distinct lack of support at events

During my tenure as a district councillor, both Lord Porter and Coun Angela Newton ensured that councillors actively participated in military parades, such as Armistice Day, V/E Day, and V/J Day. Back then, it was standard to see 15 to 20 councillors attending these important events. I have only been out of politics for 15 months, but it seems times have changed considerably. Recently, I attended the Flag Raising Ceremony for Armed Forces Day at the council offices on Priory Road. In my time as Chairman of South Holland District Council, I would have organised a leaflet containing the Homage, Kohima, a prayer, and the national anthem to distribute to attendees. The ceremony, lasting about 15 minutes, was a meaningful tribute. However, this year, only four councillors: Andrew Woolf, Anthony Casson, Mark Le Sage and Allan Beal attended. The flag, which should have been folded and ready for the chairman to raise, was already flying, and the entire ceremony was over in 30 seconds. There was no Homage, no prayer, and no “God Save the King.” Keith Crawford MBE, Chairman of the Spalding Branch of the Royal Naval Association, was understandably disappointed. On Sunday, I attended the VJ Day service at St Mary’s and St Nicolas Church in Spalding.Yet again, only two councillors, Jan Whitbourn and Casson, attended. I’ve reflected on this decline in support, and I suspect it’s partly due to the fact that of the 37 elected district councillors, few, if any, have a military background. However, they are still elected officials, and as such, they have a duty to honour and support military events. I wonder why the leader of the council, Coun Nick Worth, and the Leader of the Independent Group, Coun Rob Gibson, have not reminded their members of this responsibility.The next military event on the calendar is VE Day. I will be watching closely to see how many councillors show their support.

Rodney Grocock

Public Relations and Recruitment Officer Spalding Branch Royal Naval Association

We attend events when possible

I am a local district councillor for Monkshouse ward (SH Independent) and I personally attended the Flag Raising Ceremony for Armed Forces day at the council offices on Priory Road on June 6 along with several other councillors at which I can confirm the flag was raised by Chairman Andrew Woolf. A photo was taken but due to purdah it could not be printed at the time. At this time we did not actually have an elected MP. Several of us then went to Ayscoughfee to the ceremony held there. On June 29, I unfortunately was unable to attend the flag raising at the council offices due to work commitments but I did attend the church service on Tuesday, June 25, at St Mary’s and St Nicholas Church. On Sunday, August 19, I was not in attendance at the ceremony due to having to work so cannot comment on who did or did not attend but I can confirm there are councillors who do indeed have a military background. I personally attend all military events possible and this can be confirmed by Jan Whitbourn and photos from previous events. I cannot comment on Nick Worth’s communications to the Conservative councillors but I can verify that Rob Gibson ensures Independent councillors are all informed suitably and where possible we attend, around family and work. Rodney might also remember that several events take place around South Holland and so councillors will attend in their own wards to show support. Might I suggest that perhaps had Rodney paid more attention to his electorate instead of being overly concerned by the actions of other elected councillors, he may not have been out of politics for the last 15 months?I look forward to seeing him at future parades and events as I will as always be offering my support where possible. I certainly will make all efforts to ensure we do not forget.

Coun Ingrid Sheard

South Holland Independent

Don’t tell us how to remember

I take exception to Mr Grocock’s lengthy ‘missive’ in last week’s paper. I stand by my record of attending any forces memorial occasions, some of them in the district, most of them in my own community, with remembrance, RAF memorial and other occasions, As a teenager, my dad was in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was in an ambulance going to rescue some wounded soldiers under enemy fire. The other, older, medic was driving the ambulance. A sniper hit the driving medic and killed him. Despite his youth my dad pulled his body over, drove on and rescued the wounded soldiers under enemy fire. He was awarded the Belgian equivalent of the George Cross for bravery by King Albert of the Belgians. I was of course immensely proud of dad, and what he did, and never miss any opportunity to remember those who gave so much. Having been with the veterans to Normandy and the Belgian trenches some years ago, I am surprised that Grocock did not mention the appalling behaviour of our ‘so-called’ former premier, Rishi Sunak, in not staying with the veterans at the Normandy beaches this year - despite all of the veterans being around 100 years old. For that I would have had him arrested and locked up for the rest of his days!! The day is very, very far off when I, at least, will be looking to Grocock, of all people, to tell me how to remember the bravery of our many, many thousands of veterans.

Coun Chris Brewis

South Holland Independent, Sutton Bridge

Details needed to form opinion

I have read yet again about the public decision on whether to keep with black bags or change to wheelie bins but it requires a few answers or beneficial cost savings to South Holland District Council tax payers.Here's my thoughts on costs.The black bags are collected by three operatives and deposited in the refuse vehicle quite easily and, in some cases, as the vehicle slowly moves forward, they are efficiently gathering up more than one household. Simplicity in itself and done weekly. We need to know labour cost per month, vehicle costing per full contract and fuel used per month.The alternative is three operatives and one bin lift vehicle. Obviously this will be a fortnightly collection so the labour costing should be cheaper, however operatives will have a waiting time whilst the vehicle lifts and empties wheelie bins. Now this is where the fuel costing will kick in because of energy being used in the process at every household with a bin out - so now we need to know how much greater is the fuel consumption on the life of the vehicle compared to a black bag collection. Probably South Holland District Council could ask their chums at Boston Borough what cost per ton on refuse collection their vehicles run at through the life of their contracts.We just need information to form a best of options decision when casting a vote on bag or bin collection.

Roly Hare

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