The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A decision has been deferred on plans to build 150 homes in Weston of which parts were branded ‘ludicrous’ ‘absolutely hideous’ and ‘dross’ by councillors.
South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee wants Persimmon Homes to look again at its plans for the site off High Road which had been allocated for 135 homes in the South East Lincolnshire local plan and where a previous planning application for 57 homes had been accepted.
Several councillors voiced their displeasure with the plans highlighting the number of private driveways that refuse lorries wouldn’t be able to get down, concerns over parking spaces and claiming there were issues with the sewerage system in Weston.
Coun Nigel Pepper told last night’s (Wednesday) meeting that the situation with regards to the latter had got so bad at one point that a fire crew had to be called out.
However despite their concerns, no councillors moved to reject the proposal because it was felt the designs would comply with current national government planning laws while Anglian Water had raised no objection with their submission to planning officers stating that previous sewerage issues had been due to “extreme weather events”.
Chris Dicks, the chair of Weston Parish Council, who spoke against the application said: “This is prime agricultural land. If we use it, it’s gone further.
“Anglian Water actually said to me today that their resources in the area are adequate. Is adequate good enough?”
Ward councillor Anthony Casson said in a statement to the committee: “I’ve complained about the sewerage in Weston ever since I joined the parish council in 1985 and since then there’s been problems.
“Many times I’ve witnessed sewerage running down the road in Small Drove and running into the drain.”
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, said: It’s a ludicrous design. It’s shameful that it’s backed by national planning laws.
“We asked for them to be reviewed. Persimmon said, no thanks we won’t.
“We asked them to review their litter collection points, so beloved by developers as a cheap option. They said no thank you.
“Now we’re confronted with properties that have the collection points right outside the front door.
“I welcome the Section 106 contributions, but the devil is in the detail.
“Isn’t it time to fight back, not against the principal, but the dross that we’re being presented with over and over again?
“We’ve asked nicely but now is the time to say this is not acceptable. This is not what we want to see for future generations and not what we want to put our local people into.”
Coun Rodney Grocock added: “I wonder if Persimmon knows South Holland doesn’t use wheelie bins.”
“The refuse collection points are absolutely hideous,” added meeting chair Coun James Avery.”I happen to think Weston quite a nice and inviting, tidy little village.
“I’d hate to inflict something upon them that might stand out.”
Four councillors voted in favour of going with officers recommendations to pass the proposals, but seven voted against.
Instead councillors voted to defer the application and for planning officers to pass on their concerns to the developer.
Katie Dowling development planner for Persimmon Homes told the meeting: “We’ve worked with officers to achieve a scheme that’s beneficial to the wider community and with affordable housing, good open spaces and will be contributing to Weston.”
