Highways condition variation at Land At Rectory Farm, Barrowby Road, Grantham

What was proposed

The application sought to vary a highways condition to allow up to 180 occupations at Rectory Farm.

“Proposal: Section 73 application to vary Condition 11 (Off-site highways) of planning permission S24/0140 to allow up to 180 occupations Location: Land at Rectory Farm (Phase 1), Grantham Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director - Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions…”

Minutes

The site and development

The site is part of Phase 1 of Rectory Farm, where works have started and initial occupations are taking place.

“1 Description of the site 1.1 The application site comprises part of Phase 1 of the Rectory Farm development situated on the north-western edge of Grantham. Phase 1 consists of two parcels of land being delivered by Vistry Group and Jelson Homes; the current application has been submitted in relation to the parcel being developed by Jelson Homes.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended granting permission because modelling and National Highways’ assessment indicated no unacceptable highway safety or capacity impacts.

“Taking all of the above into account, it is Officer’s assessment that the proposed variation to Condition 10 would not result in any unacceptable adverse impacts on highways safety or capacity. As such, the application scheme would accord with Policy ID2 and GR3-H2 of the adopted Local Plan and Paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024).”

“National Highways (as Strategic Highways Authority) have accepted the findings of the submitted highways capacity modelling, which concludes that the A1 slip road would not operate beyond the position deemed to be acceptable as part of the previous appeal hearing. Whilst the A52 filter lane would operate at a higher queue length and capacity, than the consented position, this is not a severe impact when viewed in the context of the current operation of the junction.”

Officer report

Highway authority comments

Lincolnshire County Council and National Highways raised no objection, while Barrowby Parish Council objected over safety, capacity, uncertainty and cumulative effects.

“Please note that this section includes a summary of the consultation responses. Full details are available to view on the Council’s Planning Portal under the application reference S26/0037. Lincolnshire County Council (Highways & SuDS) 5.2.1 No objection. The junction affected by this variation is in the Strategic Road Network and it is therefore advised that National Highways recommendation is followed.”

“Approval would signal that applicants can incrementally erode protective conditions through repeated variations, fundamentally contrary to the plan-led development framework. Highways Safety, Capacity and Cumulative Impacts 5.3.5 The A1/A53 junction already experiences significant capacity constraints and safety issues. Allowing 300 occupations would substantially increase traffic during the extend interim period before mitigation.”

Officer report

Comments from the public

Twenty-two interested parties made representations, with one supporting the application and the others objecting to highway impacts and the changed occupation limit.

“6 Representations as a Result of Publicity 6.1 The application has been advertised in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement and letters of representation have been received from 22 interested parties, 1 of whom has supported the application and the remaining representations have all raised formal objections. The letters of representation have raised the following matters: 1.”

Officer report

The public speaker

The applicant described surveys, meetings with National Highways, progress on design and contractor arrangements, and junction works planned for completion by the end of 2027.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed modelling, queuing, highway capacity, other developments, diverted traffic, safety during works and the timing of housing delivery.

“- It was queried and confirmed that improvements to both junctions were to be undertaken at the same time, under the same scheme. - It was queried how the applicant intended to balance safety considerations during the works with the accelerated need for housing. The speaker confirmed that independent transport consultants engaging with Highways believed the model to be safe and acceptable.”

“- The Planning Officer explained the inspector’s safety analysis, considering the projected impact of the additional dwellings. The Planning Officer noted that the analysis had been calculated using peaks and troughs across the week to account for fluctuations.”

Minutes

The decision

The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions, with Councillor Mark Whittington abstaining from both applications.

“- A member commented that it would not be fair to the developers to Refuse the application in view of the highways evidence provided. - Councillor Mark Whittington abstained from voting on both applications…”

Minutes