BREAKING: 250 homes approved for Woodhall Spa

The planning committee met this morning to discuss the application, with planning officer Andy Booth having recommended the application for approval beforehand.

To chairman Coun Neil Cooper’s surprise, there were no speakers - for or against - who wished to speak before the councillors.

This is despite the fact that dozens of objections had been submitted, primarily from residents in Forest Pines Lane, in the months leading up to the meeting - citing concerns over traffic, flooding, noise, and the size of the proposed development.

Coun Jim Swanson said he was ‘not impressed’ that there was no indication about the proposed housing pattern in the planning documents - saying that it was usual for the committee to be given some indication about this at the outline planning stage. Coun Neil Cooper agreed, saying it was the first time he’d encountered this.

Coun Susan Blackburn asked whether a one-way system would be put in place, or whether the two access roads - on to Gleaneagles Drive and Forest Pines Lane - would both be used for entering and exiting the site. Planning officer Andy Booth said both roads would be used for access and egress.

Following a short discussion, Coun Helen Matthews proposed the application for approval - saying that the area was an ‘allocated site’ for development.

Coun Matthews added that she was pleased that 40 per cent of the potential homes have been earmarked for social housing.

Coun Stuart Watson seconded the plans for approval, and the planning committee approved it by nine votes to one, with one abstention.