57 affordable homes at Land South of Wignals Gate, Holbeach, Spalding

The site and surroundings

The approximately 1.65-hectare site is agricultural land south of Wignals Gate, beside existing homes and modern residential development.

“The site comprises part of a 'Reserve Site', as allocation Hob011 - Land to the south of Wignals Gate, as detailed within Policy 12 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan. Policy 12 identifies the site as comprising an area of 3.48 hectares, when considering the entirety of the reserve site, and has a notional site capacity of 70 dwellings.”

“To the north east and north west, the site is neighboured by existing residential properties that front onto Wignals Gate. Further modern residential development lies directly to the east, with properties fronting onto Spinney Close being those within closest proximity. These eastern neighbouring properties within Spinney Close, which are accessed via Forest Way, are predominately single storey bungalows.”

Officer report

Planning history and reserve status

The site had no direct planning history but formed part of a reserve allocation intended for housing, with an indicative wider capacity of 70 dwellings.

“The application site, comprising the land outlined in red within the submitted site location plan, has not been subject to any direct planning history; although the site is allocated as a Reserve Site under Policy 12 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan (2019).”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Forty-nine objection letters raised concerns about reserve-site release, amenity, design, traffic, flooding, drainage, infrastructure, tenure, ecology and countryside impacts.

“These can be summarised as: -The application site is a Reserve Site and should not come forward. -The 'trigger point' for releasing reserve sites has not been met. -Contrary to local and national policy, specifically Policy 12 of the SELLP. -The lack of affordable housing is specific to South Holland and not Holbeach. -The proposal offers no economic, social or environmental benefits. -Impact upon residential amenities.”

“-Lack of infrastructure and services to support the development, specifically doctors, dentists, schools and road infrastructure. -Concerns regarding the tenure type of the proposed housing, and the entire site not offering a mix of market and affordable properties. -Residential development 'typically includes affordable housing mixed with market housing'. -Wignals Gate has already seen additional housing. -Negative impact on biodiversity, ecology and wildlife.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent spoke in support of the application under the committee’s public-speaking arrangements.

The vote

The initial vote to approve the application was lost.

“The initial vote to approve the application was lost. Following further debate, a motion to defer the application for further discussions between officers and the developers on layout and design was tabled.”

Minutes

Why the application was deferred

The committee deferred the application for further discussions between officers and the developer about layout and design.

“That the application be deferred for further discussions to take place between officers and the developer regarding the layout and design.”

Minutes