The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A controversial proposal for 900 homes is poised to go ahead – triggering delivery of a new school and improvements to a notorious road junction.
The huge housing scheme in Holbeach is planned for land between Fen Road and Hallgate.
Town firm Ashley King Developments has agreed in principle to a Section 106 package of several spin-off projects including:
- capital cost of the Peppermint Junction (A17/A151 link road) roundabout
- a site plus construction and delivery of a primary school to be handed over to Lincolnshire County Council
- restoration of Manor Farm and use as community facility
A compact roundabout off the access in Hallgate is proposed as well as improvements to the junction of Wignals Gate and the A151.
South Holland district councillors are recommended to agree the plan in principle when they meet on Wednesday.
Planning development manager Richard Fidler said: “This would give the developer a degree of certainty and Lincolnshire County Council a clear commitment to the principle of securing additional funding which would meet the current shortfall and enable the roundabout at Peppermint junction to be delivered at the earliest opportunity.”
Ward councillor Francis Biggadike is not backing the plan. He believes that Holbeach is in need of extra medical services, and land already allocated should be built on before another 900 houses are allocated on Grade One agricultural land.
South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes also objects, believing the scale of the development is “wholly unacceptable”. He says a “considerable number” of residents have contacted him and are “extremely concerned” about the detrimental impact on local services, such as schools and doctors.
Meanwhile, Holbeach Parish Council says the development site is on the wrong side of town for schools and main routes and laments the loss of agricultural land, which, it says, can never be replaced.
