New homes set to be approved

Plans for 68 new homes in Weston look likely to be approved by planners.

The application by Ashwood Homes is due to go before the members of South Holland District Council’s planning committee for discussion on Wednesday.

Officers have recommended approval for developing the site north of High Road in the village.

The parish council objected to the application on grounds including over-development, the loss of high grade agricultural land and road safety issues.

The council requested a £40,000 financial contribution towards the replacement of swings and the repair of equipment at Weston Playing Field.

The developer will also pay a £44,880 contribution to NHS provision, extending current services or towards a new facility.

There is also a £206,769 contribution towards education provision in the area.

The new development will also have to include 17 affordable dwellings of which 12 would be for rent and five for shared ownership.

There will be a mix of house types, mostly detached and semi-detached with three short terraces. A large proportion of them will be two storey.

The county council’s historic environment officer has reiterated the need for an archaeological evaluation of the site.

“The principle of residential development on this site has already been established by virtue of the housing allocation of the Local Plan. It is not considered that the proposal would materially harm the character or appearance of the locality or amenity of nearby residents, and flood risk and drainage matters are considered to have been appropriately addressed,” says the report due to go before the committee.

There is provision for open space with a dry pond and five metre strip along the north-western boundary.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says there are water voles in one of the drains and they are a protected species.

“The preliminary ecological appraisal suggests a 5m buffer zone to exclude working or disturbance in the area,” says the report.

There will also be provision for birds and bats along with raised fencing to allow hedgehogs to travel.

“Providing divers habitats around the site would offer foraging opportunities for a variety of species and would make the site more attractive and interesting for residents,” it adds.