Wait goes on for 90 home development in Horncastle

An application by Lindum Homes for up to 90 new homes off Banovallum Gardens was discussed by members of East Lindsey District Council’s Planning Committee yesterday (Thursday).

According to town councillor Brian Burbidge, a final decision was deferred in order to give Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways department time to produce a detailed traffic management report.

It is the second time a decision on the development has been deferred by the Planning Committee.

Coun Burbidge, who chairs Horncastle Town Council’s planning committee, spoke against the application at the ELDC meeting.

He said: “Everything is still very much up in the air regarding this development. I really feel for the residents who are opposed to it and we (the town council) share their frustrations.”

More than 100 people signed a petition against the proposed development and there were more than 30 letters of objection.

In addition, the town council wrote to ELDC voicing a number of concerns - including flooding worries and the impact of the development on the town’s health and education systems.

According to Coun Burbidge, three doctors are currently responsible for 9,000 patients at the town’s only NHS surgery.

He said residents and councillors also had concerns about the impact of extra traffic in the area, particularly at the junction of Mareham Road and Boston Road.

Coun Burbidge added the only report on traffic management proposals had been submitted by the developers.

He said the planning committee wanted a ‘comprehensive report’ from the County Council.

• Listen to the people’ - councillor’s plea over planning matters. Full story in next week’s Horncastle News.