Council won’t be silenced by restrictions

ELDC has submitted the application for the £8.25m development off Mareham Road and confirmed a decision could be made in July.

Provided the application is approved, work would start in September and the project could be finished by next summer - in time for the start of a new college year.

Ordinarily, town councillors would discuss the application at a planning committee meeting which would be open to the press and public.

But, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, that is not possible.

I understand the town council has explored ways of holding meetings online - with public access - but a system is not yet in place.

Instead, planning committee members are likely to discuss the application and use delegated powers - in line with Government guidelines - to comment.

Town clerk Amanda Bushell said: “The planning committee has used delegated powers to comment on previous applications during the pandemic.

“Any comments have been then been sent on to East Lindsey (the planning authority).

“However, because of the size and significance of the Mareham Road application, councillors have indicated they would like to discuss it before making a statement.”

All councils are bound by various new regulations during the pandemic.

However, with a decision on the development expected in a couple of months, the town council will not want to miss an opportunity to comment.

Individual councillors - including Mayor Coun Fiona Martin - have previously indicated their support.

ELDC’s move from Manby to Horncastle would, of course, deliver a significant economic boost to the town.

In addition, councillors are delighted a new college would offer desperately needed further education opportunities to locals, without them having to travel to Lincoln or Boston.

However, some councillors have expressed concerns about the impact of the development on the town’s roads.

While ELDC says an assessment has not raised any issues, it will be interesting to see how councillors and residents react.

They are well aware of already notorious delays at major junctions in the town - and on Boston Road.

Another concern is the impact extra traffic related to the Mareham Road site will have on neighbouring residential streets.

There are already claims some routes have become rat runs to avoid Boston Road.