The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
“Feelings ran very high” at a parish council meeting during the discussion of an application for an 18-acre football complex in Pinchbeck.
Monday night’s extraordinary meeting of Pinchbeck Parish Council was called to discuss the South East Lincs Local Plan, but it was the proposed football pitches that caused heated discussion.
Pinchbeck United Junior Football Club (PUJFC) has submitted a change of use application for 18 acres of agricultural land on Northgate, eight acres of which belong to Pinchbeck Parish Council.
The parish council agreed to defer its decision on the application.
A parish council spokesman said: “The aim of the parish council is to make sure whatever decision is made pleases both sides.”
A Pinchbeck resident who attended the meeting said a wide variety of objections were raised, ranging from concerns about light pollution to traffic, potential vandalism, litter and noise.
“Feelings ran very high. The district council has already received over 65 objections,” they said.
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they believed the project has “snowballed” from a new football pitch to a full-on development with stands in operation seven days a week and a clubhouse.
PUJFC chairman George Wallis has submitted a letter to accompany the application, addressing concerns It says: “I understand that some residents are under the impression this site will be a hub of sport for the district. I would like to reassure local residents that this is simply not true.
It is predominantly a football development project for the benefit of a Pinchbeck based sports club.”
The letter states it will serve as a ground for 300 children across 18 teams.
The application’s date for discussion by the South Holland District Council Planning Committee is yet to be set.
