Spalding mobile home decision deferred over flood risk fear

A controversial mobile home may be allowed to remain in use if it is raised six feet off the ground in the same way as 12 others already accepted nearby.

Applicant Sarah Smith has been embroiled in a long-running dispute with South Holland District Council over the home in Akita Place, Clay Lake, Spalding.
She told a meeting of the council’s planning committee that her family had occupied the site for years.
She said: “Our home fits in with its surroundings. There are lots of similar homes within the area.”

Coun Chris Brewis (Sutton Bridge) called for colleagues to refuse the application as recommended by planning officers. An enforcement notice for removal of the caravan and associated works was issued in January last year  and upheld by a planning inspector in November.

Instead the committee voted 12-2 in favour of deferring a decision on this new retrospective application for the siting of the home to allow the applicant to demonstrate what it would look like if raised to overcome flood risk, which was seen as the main issue.

In April, a caravan park nearby in Clay Lake was given consent to become residential providing the 12 homes were raised 6ft off the ground.

Coun Bryan Alcock (Crowland and Deeping St Nicholas) said: “It may well still go the way that has already been recommended. Until I see a plan and some photographs, I find it impossible to come to the conclusion the officers have.”

A report to the committee said: “Council evidence and neighbours comments pointed out that the mobile home was moved to the site in 2014 and the land appeared to be used as a scrap yard prior to the current caravan being sited.”

There have been two objections to the application from nearby residents.