Business owner in U-turn over traveller site in Manby

Over 300 residents from the Manby and Grimoldby area attended a meeting organised by the local Parish Council and East Lindsey District Councillor, Terry Knowles..

The meeting was set up to address the fact that David Grantham of GMB - the comp any which owns the airfield - had offered Easy Lindsey District Council an area of land to site the travellers.

Coun Knowles told the Leader that tensions ran high at the meeting and 97 per cent of those who attended voted against the proposal.

Following the meeting, Coun Knowles and Mr Grantham met several times to hold discussions about the site.

According to Coun Knowles, that resulted in Mr Grantham listening to residents and withdrawing his offer.

Mr Grantham confirmed that was the case and said: “I have listened to the feelings of my neighbours and have withdrawn my site offer to ELDC.

“I am a reasonable man and I didn’t want to upset the residents as it clearly showed the public felt this wasn’t the right site. Planning permission has already been gained for a site in Louth and I feel this site is better suited.”

Coun Knowles said that he was ‘over the moon’ that Mr Grantham reconsidered his decision and felt it was a ‘wondeful victory for democracy.”

ELDC’s portfolio holder for planning, Coun Richard Fry, said: “We have been informed by the landowner the location put forward for consideration as a Gypsy/Traveller site at Manby is withdrawn.

“However, the council has a process that must be followed in determining the most appropriate sites to be developed and once the consultation has concluded will consider all representations in respect of the Manby site, including that received from the landowner.”