New Mayor vows to fight for better '˜town'

Horncastle's newly appointed Mayor Councillor Bill Aron has vowed to continue the fight to improve the town's infra-structure amid fears about the impact of major new developments.
New Mayor for Horncastle EMN-161205-134801001New Mayor for Horncastle EMN-161205-134801001
New Mayor for Horncastle EMN-161205-134801001

More than 1,000 new homes could be built in Horncastle, although that figure is heavily dependent on whether the controversial Crowders application ever goes ahead.

Residents have raised concerns about the pressure on local health and education services - along with the effect on already busy roads through the town.

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Coun Aron - who serves on both the town and county council - confirmed he shared those concerns and also highlighted the impact of the much expanded Boston Road Industrial Estate.

He said: “We need to keep raising the issues that our infrastructure requires improvement to cope with ever increasing industrial estate, the recent increase of residential development and the coastal traffic on the A158 and the HGVs on the A153.”

Coun Aron has previously stated he is keen to see potential developers pay for improvements via Section 106 agreements.

Agreements have been something of a thorny issue in the town recently with the NHS, for example, not asking for any contribution from the 300-home-plus development on Langton Hill.

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Coun Aron is one of the town’s best know politicians and it is the third time he will serve as mayor.

He served as deputy to Coun Angela Birchall for the last 12 months and his appointment was rubber-stamped at a town council meeting last week.

He added: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been elected for the third time and will as always work hard for the town.

“I am pleased that Coun Brian Burbidge was appointed Deputy Mayor as I have worked closely with him on a number of projects.

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“Horncastle has just received the benefit of having the Neighbourhood Development Plan ratified at the referendum just last month.

“This will help the future development of the town enormously. It was completed after a tremendous amount of work by a local community group.

“Another scheme nearing completion - which will again help Horncastle - is the construction of the flood defences just north of the town at the cost of some £7m. It will protect over 200 properties that were at risk of flooding.”

Coun Aron said he was looking forward to the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

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He added: “Horncastle has a wealth of history and it has been somewhat shy at promoting it to either day visitors or tourists.

“I do hope that during the coming year we can all put forward ideas to increase visitor numbers ”

Coun Birchall said she had enjoyed a ‘wonderful year’ in office and thanked everyone for their support, adding: “It was a privilege representing Horncastle.”