Nine-bungalow development at Land Off Woodland Way, Grimsby Road, Waltham

The site and surroundings

The agricultural field lies west of Grimsby Road, opposite Fairway, and is accessed from Woodlands Way beside a recently completed 16-home development.

“September 2026. SITE The site is located to the west of Grimsby Road in Waltham opposite the junction with Fairway and accessed off Woodlands Way. The site is currently an agricultural field with open boundaries to the north and south, new landscaping to the east and a large hedge to the west adjacent to Grimsby Road. To the south of the site is Woodlands Way, a new development of 16 properties recently completed.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals for residential development were withdrawn or refused, with refusals dismissed at appeal, including a nine-home scheme in December 2023.

“Adjacent site to the south DM/0579/16/OUT - Residential development - refused - allowed at appeal DM/0285/18/REM - reserved matters for residential development - approved Various amendments to DM/0285/18/REM RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES AND BACKGROUND PAPERS National Planning Policy Framework (2026) S3 - Presump in favour of sust development S5 - Principle of develop-outside settlements HO7 - Meeting the need for homes North East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2013-2032 (adopted…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the housing need, settlement relationship, bungalows, landscaping and public open space outweighed limited countryside harm, with no significant amenity, highway or drainage impacts.

“Woodlands Way creates a feel of a somewhat unfinished development as the northern side of the road is undeveloped but also currently unused and of little amenity benefit other than being open. The proposed development would deliver additional landscaping and public open space which adds value to the character of the area and the Strategic Green Infrastructure Corridor, and it will effectively finish off the development.”

“CONCLUSION The proposal for 9 dwellings on this development site is considered acceptable in this area and would contribute to local housing need. The previous appeal decisions on the site have been noted and considered in detail. The scheme has been amended to address the concerns raised within those decisions and it is considered that there are no significant issues that would outweigh the need for housing through this development.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Some Woodlands Way neighbours supported the scheme, while other residents objected over the strategic gap, earlier refusals, highways, amenity and infrastructure.

“Neighbours 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12 Woodlands Way - support the proposed development and consider it would not harm the character of the area The Limes - comments on the provision for swifts in the development.”

“Other Representations Civic Society - objects and supports the views of the Parish Council Swift Society - request condition for the inclusion of swift boxes APPRAISAL The key considerations in this application are: 1) The Principe of the Development and impact upon the character and form of the locality 2) The impact upon residential amenity 3) Highways Safety 4) Drainage 5) Ecology 6) Other considerations 1)The Principle of the Development and impact on the form and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the proposal, highlighting its green space, infrastructure, housing policy support, neighbour support and relationship with Woodlands Way.

Members’ debate

Members disagreed about the strategic gap, countryside impact, the current Local Plan, housing supply and the weight of the earlier appeal decision.

“Councillor Jackson stated that he was not going to be supporting the application. He noted that the site was outside of the current Local Plan, and whilst the site might be proposed to be included in the new revised Local Plan, the council had not approved a new revised Local Plan as of yet.”

“Councillor Lindley stated that he would be doing his residents a disservice to support anything that would reduce the strategic gap between Waltham and Scartho any further. He said that although it may only be nine houses now, this could increase very quickly. Councillor Lindley was concerned that the gap would get narrower and narrower.”

Minutes

The votes

Votes to refuse and approve were tied, with the chair voting against each proposal.

“The committee took a vote and upon a vote, voted 5 for and five against the proposal being approved with conditions. The Chair casted his vote against the proposal.”

“The committee took a vote and upon a vote, five voted for and five voted against the proposal being refused. The Chair casted his vote against the proposal.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee deferred the application until its next meeting to allow members more time to consider it.

“The Chair proposed that the application be deferred until the next Planning Committee meeting to allow committee members more time to consider the application.”

“Councillor Hudson stated that, unless members were prepared to change their position, the outcome would remain the same regardless of how many times the application was considered. He added that the Planning Committee meeting the following month might include different members who could bring a different perspective to the application.”

Minutes