The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Outline planning permission for 215 homes has been granted at a Long Sutton site.
At the May meeting of the South Holland District Council Planning Committee, the site with access points at Seagate Road and Wisbech Road was deemed suitable for development.
Philip Norman said the area in is the emerging local plan and officers recommended the committee approve the outline permission.
Long Sutton resident Martin Dickinson spoke in opposition. He said: “This site is in flood zone three, the highest possible risk of flooding.”
According to Mr Dickinson, properties at Seagate Road, The Cherries and Lancaster Drive are put at risk from flooding and traffic will increase.
He added that the major employer in the area is making people redundant and GPs and schools are already stretched.
“Long Sutton neither wants nor can cope with this development.”
Councillors quizzed officers about the surface water and flood risk potential problems. Mr Norman replied: “What the ultimate solution is isn’t to be determined by this application.”
Committee chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones clarified: “We are being asked if this site is suitable in principle. All of the difficulties are to be assessed at full application.”
A number of councillors expressed concern about the access points and potential traffic issues.
Coun Chris Brewis said “the road will be a rat run.”
He added he would rather see the completed Local Plan. “My real question is a question of prematurity.
“I believe it’s premature until the inspector has written his report.
“Until he does I shall vote against it.”
Coun Laura Eldridge said: “For Long Sutton there are 500 homes allocated in the Local Plan, this would be half of it.”
She then asked whether the application would be held to the figure of 215 houses and if more could be added after approval.
“They would have to come back with a new plan,” said Coun Gambba-Jones.
As part of the conditions, contributions to local services would be required.
Coun Jim Astill said: “It’s good to see the million pounds asked for by the county is in the report and it’s good to see the contribution to the NHS is in the report, as well as the contribution to affordable housing.”
The target is 33 per cent, but officers accepted 25 per cent without a viability study, said Mr Norman.
Mr Norman said the contribution towards education is currently £1,311,965 and the NHS contribution will be £95,460 but these figures might vary slightly.
Coun Jack Tyrell suggested reducing the access, stating it’s close to the shops so walking or cycling is the healthier option and would alleviate traffic problems.
With outline approval granted, a full application detailing specific designs and layouts will be submitted.
