Letters

Further to the article “Slum of the future” in The Voice (October 29). Planning officers and inspectors follow the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as a priority for most of their decisions. This framework which was published in 2012 states quite clearly there should be a presumption in favour of sustainable development. Sometimes this seems to be in conflict with ...

I read with interest the comments by Coun Gammba-Jones reference affordable housing at a site in Crowland. Why do we have a third affordable housing policy in this area when others around us have less, King’s Lynn being an example? The article of course doesn’t explain the raft of rules and regulations that any new development is now forced to ...

Coun Gary Porter asks whether South Holland District Council should cut council tax again, even if it means reducing some services (Voice, November 5). For me, it’s a clear no. Remember, any action by SHDC only affects its portion of our bill, which this year represented 11 per cent of the total. If my calculations are correct, the effect of ...

Re John Hayes’ comments – The Voice, November 5. Whilst most people would not disagree with the general concept he was trying to convey, I am sorry but it was put or translated most naively. The Secret Services are, and always have been, mostly adept at knowing what was going on, who was doing what, where and when. They still ...

Holbeach councillors have arranged a trial scheme for one or more of your town’s elected representatives to attend Holbeach Library, every other Saturday, from November 14 (10.30am-11.30am). These times may be extended if necessary. The “drop in” sessions are completely informal and non-political, please feel free to just say hello or have a chat. We’ll try to help with any ...

I recently attended the Labour Party Conference in Brighton as an observer for Unite the union. I was impressed with my Euro MP, Glennis Willmott as she gave a rousing speech and spoke about going forward and fighting for our young people. The importance of being at the centre of EU politics, not out in the cold on the fringes, ...

The Voice article about the grant of £9,800 to the Gentlemen’s Society in Spalding over William Stukeley’s drawings drew a bit of a mild smile from me. All credit to the Gentlemen’s Society and the granting of this financial award. It is more than ironic to me now that Holbeach missed out on the financial input of visitor, or tourist, ...

I was recently asked to accompany Chairman of South Holland District Council, Coun Francis Biggadike and his wife Freda, to attend a blue plaque unveiling ceremony of William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army. William Booth was 23 when in 1852, without any theological or ministerial training of any kind, he was invited by the Spalding Free (or Reformed) ...

Bourne Woods should be renamed Bourne Dog Toilet. Today being the first day of the half term holiday I decided to take my five-year-old daughter for a walk in Bourne Woods. With new walking boots on we set off from the car park and was amazed at the quantity of dog mess, it’s everywhere! I told my daughter to be ...

Having been a member of the Castle Sports Centre for the last ten years (50 plus badminton) I have noticed that the centre is used more and more frequently for social events, resulting in the sports hall being unavailable. As an example, from mid-December to mid-January we are unable to use the sports hall at all due to the fact ...

On October 9 my wife, Christine, and I were invited to a charity race night by Mayor Colin Manning at King’s Lynn Town Hall in aid of the mayor’s charity “Bridge for Heroes”. The Bridge for Heroes charity was established in September 2010 by Mike and Helen Taylor with the aim of delivering direct and immediate support to the HM ...

Final accounts are now in for the Rotary Club of South Holland 2015 charity golf day. The event raised a record £2,780 for Rotary charities. That money will be well used to help the sick, disabled and needy – most of them here in Spalding, but some overseas. We have played our part, for example, in the Rotary International campaign ...

I must thank you for placing the article re parking on Chancery Court. It seemed to work for a week or two. However today (October 20) was absolutely manic. At 11:45am Georgian Court residents and people living down Chancery Court were unable to gain access to the complex or their homes due to the number of inconsiderate drivers parked on ...

On Tuesday, October 6, I was invited by the Right Worshipful, the Mayor of Peterborough, Coun John Peach, to the traditional opening of the Bridge Fair followed by a sausage supper in aid of the Mayor’s charities. I was delighted to accept. After being welcomed by the Mayor, we formed a huge procession of over 100 people which included mayors, chairmen, ...

I have been walking my puppy along Vernatt’s Drain from Two Plank Bridge to the next footbridge since July. l am getting more frustrated by the amount of dog faeces that is being left. Would the owners who are leaving it like poo left on the paths outside their houses? No. So, please owners, clean it up. Ruth Woods via ...

The very successful 2014 Poppy Appeal ended on September 30, 2015. During the period October 1, 2014 to that date the Poppy Appeal raised £870,000 in Lincolnshire, which was a 12 per cent increase on previous years. I am both proud and pleased to say that the Spalding, Weston, Weston Hills, Moulton Chapel, Cowbit and Pode Hole area contribution to ...

I propose Holbeach should upgrade from a parish to a town council. We have grown considerably in recent years and are set to host over 2,000 new homes in the near future. We have been the second town in South Holland for a considerable time. In addition central government appears to be set on devolving responsibility on a number of ...

I’ve been living in Spalding for almost a decade now, and no matter what anyone may think, Spalding is tiny. It’s a beautiful town with a lot of history, but it is tiny. You can walk from end to end in 40 minutes, and driving takes five, maybe ten, tops. But if a single entry road (or a bypass road) ...

Is it any wonder that alcohol is smuggled into the UK (Smuggled booze leads to premises licence revoked, October 8)? The UK excise duty is alarmingly high on alcohol (and tobacco but don’t start me on that). According to the latest figures (dated 18/3/15) for every 70cl of spirits (a normal size bottle) there is £7.26 duty plus 20 per ...

In reply to D Mead (Mail, October 8). Nicholas Draper lives in Belvedere Close and I guess you are another sad Network Rail worker or fan. I am not sure where you live on Hawthorn Bank. When I moved here six years ago, the last train was 9pm. D Mead, what really upsets me is when you see loads of ...