The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Councillors turned down a proposed housing development in Campains Lane, Deeping St Nicholas on flood risk grounds.
The plan for ten homes by R C Tinsley Ltd, which had been recommended for approval, was unanimously turned down at South Holland’s planning committee meeting on May 31.
Coun Chris Brewis said: “This is actually one of the lowest points in the whole of England.
“I have no hesitation that we refuse this for that very reason.”
Planning officers had indicated this was another example of a site where, whilst not preferred for development, the lack of an adopted Local Plan combined with a lack of deliverable housing sites, meant it was difficult to turn down. Many other applications with similar circumstances have been approved in recent months.
But at the meeting, officers said updated flood risk maps made clear other sites in Deeping St Nicholas were less likely to flood and should be utilised before this one.
Councillors agreed to refuse the plan using the same reasons given by an inspector recently for upholding, at appeal, their decision to turn down a plan from Market Homes to build six houses on the site of the former Halmer Grange Residential Home, in Grange Drive, Spalding.
It was said that site could not be deemed sustainable due to the high flood risk.
Seven people had objected to the Deeping St Nicholas proposal mainly due to traffic issues.
