Lea: Town mayor thinks plans for 450 new homes would be a ‘dormitory’ for Lincoln

An outline planning application has been received for a new housing development on a site off Willingham Road, Lea.

The Mayor of Gainsborough, Coun Matthew Boles, thinks the scheme is “misplaced.”

He said: “Schemes such as this one and similar plans in Lincoln fringe villages such as Saxilby are coming forward because there is no Local Plan to control development.

“The scheme appears to be misplaced as there are already three areas of green field land around Gainsborough earmarked for thousands of houses that the town needs.

“This would appear to be another “dormitory” for Lincoln, just what Gainsborough does not need.

“The Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, thrown out by the Government Planning Inspector in December 2013, in part because of inadequate consultation with the public, was due to undergo public consultation now but it appears to have been kicked into the long grass.

“Following the announcement made in the Budget by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, we are now in danger of having a plan imposed upon us by Government.

“However that could not be worse than having no plan at all which allows unfettered developments such as this.”

Grace Machin have been appointed as the principle planning consultants on the project.

A spokesman said: “Historically, a planning application was submitted and approved for the development of this land at Lea, along with additional land further to the south.

“This consent allowed for the development of a mix of uses, including open market housing, a golf course, a hotel and a residential care home.

“The proposed residential development of this site will assist in delivering much needed housing within this area, in a sustainable location which is well-related to the urban fabric of Lea and Gainsborough and which is readily accessible to the range of facilities and services in this locality.

“The provision of affordable housing, along with up to 40 affordable dwellings reserved for occupation by the elderly, as part of this development, will ensure that the scheme genuinely meets the needs of the local community and helps to deliver a mixed scheme which offers decent homes for local people.”