The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Plans for 100 new homes in Pinchbeck have been approved by members of South Holland District Council’s planning committee.
But members were not happy that money from the development would be going to a Spalding primary school.
The site at Nursery Fresh Plants will see a mix of affordable, self-build and custom-built houses.
AMJ Construction had previously been refused permission for 200 homes, but members of the planning committee agreed the latest proposal.
“I think 200 was far too many for this site. I think 100 is far more appropriate,” said Coun James Avery, who chaired last Wednesday’s meeting.
But he said he was “disappointed” that a £225,528 contribution would not be going to the village school, but to one three miles away.
Coun Jim Anstill said the situation was “totally bizarre” and added that the allocation, known as section 106 funding, should have been questioned earlier.
But planning committee members were told that the issue was one for Lincolnshire County Council as it had indicated which school should benefit.
“It is not enough to object, but it should have been questioned,” said Coun Anstill.
The committee supported the application for the homes, despite the site being outside the current settlement boundary of Pinchbeck.
Members heard from Michael Hull, a member of the family which currently operates the business.
He said there would be an element of self-build and custom-build within the development which would have a density of 13 homes to the hectare.
“We also plan to deliver two much-needed bus stops,” he said.
A third of the new homes will be “affordable” and a contribution of £50,000 over two years will be made to the Call Connect public transport service and £15,000 towards Real Time passenger information.
The nursery employs 20 people and the owners hope to find a site closer to the main road so HGV traffic through the village can be reduced.
“To get rid of some of the lorries that go down some of the very narrow village roads would be excellent,” said Coun Christine Lawton.
A Lincolnshire County Council spokesman said, after the meeting, that Wygate Park Academy was allocated the extra money as a number of Spalding children currently attend Pinchbeck school.
But those places would be lost with the new village homes, so pressure would increase on Spalding schools to take pupils who may have otherwise gone to Pinchbeck.
