Caistor: '˜We have a strong, robust case'

Back in 2014, applicants Richard Marriott and Robert Oxley, who are both from Caistor, applied to West Lindsey District Council for permission to construct 20 detached homes, 22 semi detached, 21 link houses and nine bungalows on a greenfield site off Brigg Road.

Many residents objected to the plans because the site is next to Waterhills - a green space of local significance.

Since then, Caistor’s Neighbourhood Plan has been approved and this protects Waterhills.

But because the Neighbourhood Plan came into force after the planning application was submitted, more still needs to be done to protect the site, Caistor town clerk Helen Pitman told the council’s monthly meeting on February 11.

Mrs Pitman said: “Now the Neighbourhood Plan is in place it will be referred to by WLDC planners making the decision.

“In speaking with West Lindsey planning department, in order to give further protection there has to be a robust case made for inclusion to the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.”

Councillors agreed the authority would put together a document, to send to WLDC, outlining the reasons the site should be given protection in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

This plan, which lasts until 2036, is now under its final consultation.

Mayor Carole Mackenzie said: “It would be possible to put a strong, robust request in (that it is included in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan).”

And Coun Alan Caine reminded councillors the planning application dates back to April 2014.

He said: “This application came in way before the Neighbourhood Plan.”

The planning application says wildlife “would not be affected by development on this site”, and that, even though it is greenfield land, it does not provide “any significant open space benefits to the 
town”.

And the planning application states the Highway Authority had been consulted and no specific issues were raised, although residents had raised concerns about additional traffic.

The application also states that “the town is well located to provide additional housing to respond to the growth on the Humber Bank”.

If given the go-ahead, the applicants would look to extend the town’s 30mph speed limit out further along Brigg Road to improve safety.

The planning application is now under a public consultation period.