Developer's fresh bid to build 47 new homes in Middle Rasen

Applicant Charles Pickering of Zodiak Construction Ltd wants to build the housing development on land north of Old Gallamore Lane.

West Lindsey District Council rejected Mr Pickering’s original application back in October last year and this decision was backed up by the Planning Inspectorate in April.

The council turned down the application saying it would represent ‘unjustified residential development of land located within the open countryside, to the harm of its intrinsic character and beauty’.

The Planning Inspectorate said the development would have an ‘adverse effect upon the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings, with regard to privacy, outlook and light’.

But a planning statement in Mr Pickering’s latest application says measures have been taken to address concerns.

It states: “In the western part of the site, the 1.8m high boundary fence line of the proposed development has been located at least 7m away from the site boundary with the existing properties on Mayfield Crescent and Meadowfield to avoid any unduly overbearing impact or significant loss of daylight/sunlight to existing occupiers.”

And it goes on to state: “It is clear that an extensive area of undeveloped land would still separate Middle Rasen and Market Rasen and the application proposals would neither visually or perceptibly erode the gap between these settlements.”

The outline proposal is for a mix of two to five-bedroom homes, with some affordable housing.

And it says the homes would be set back from the public right of way to retain a more rural character along the route.

The design and access statement says the site has been designed in a way that respects sensitive local features: the listed Water Mill and Vicarage and the River Rase.

It says: “Existing landscape features, strategic planting, public open space and private gardens will establish a robust landscape framework that will help the development sensitively integrate into the landscape.”

And the application says the development would have economic benefits for the local area.

It states: “The proposed development would result in the creation of construction jobs in the local area and, once construction is completed, the new occupants will generate additional spending in the local economy which will help to support and sustain shops, services and facilities within both Middle Rasen and Market Rasen.”

The application describes the area as a ‘sustainable location for accommodating new residential development’.

A public consultation period is now underway, ahead of a decision by West Lindsey District Council.