The proposed design layout for 74 new homes in Kirton in Lindsey has been refused by councillors.
There is already outline permission for housing off Ings Road, which was granted on appeal, after councillors refused. Multiple joint applicants, including Newett Homes, sought full permission for the homes’ design and site layout.
Privacy concerns, the location of a play area, and traffic congestion were all raised by objectors. North Lincolnshire Council‘s planning committee deferred the decision for a site visit last month.
However, after doing so, they once again refused permission with one councillor saying they’d “never been shouted at by so many farmers in my life” while another said the inspector “must have gone to a different site, because why he’s ok’d it, I don’t know”.
Residents’ concerns
Chartered surveyor Michael Orridge reiterated concerns he still had. These included a “lack of privacy between the new and existing housing” and the location of the LEAP, the play area included in the scheme. “It would be better integrated into the scheme if it was located near the access,” he said, adding it would be “a safer and greener vista to the development”. It was proposed to be part of green space behind existing Lane End, and include swings and a climbing frame.
“The overall scheme isn’t respectful of the rural character of the area,” argued Mr Orridge. Another person with concerns said new houses will overlook and be overlooked by existing homes on Highfield Drive. She noted a recent Winterton development approved last month where the developer changed some plots to bungalows to allay concerns. “I would just like to say what’s good enough for Winterton is surely good enough for Kirton too.”
She warned of trespass and the use of Lane End as an unofficial cut-through to the LEAP. She did not think the developers’ contention that an existing five-bar field gate at the bottom of Lane End would deter people. “It really does need to be replaced with a fence and some planting on the other side to deter people from coming up the little cul-de-sac,” she said.
“The big problem as far as we are all in Kirton concerned is traffic,” she added as her final point. “It’s going to be a nightmare for all, especially farmers.”
(Image: Newett Homes / North Lincolnshire Council)
Newett Homes – ‘taken time to consider concerns’
Newett Homes’ Ben Gibson said, since the last meeting, it had taken time to consider concerns raised. “From the outset, we’ve carefully considered levels,” he said of linked concerns over privacy and the two-storey homes overlooking existing properties. Mr Gibson said Lane End and Highfield Drive properties “are all located on higher land”, and would still exceed land height of the new homes. “The development also provides generous separation distances,” he added, of 21-23 metres to existing homes.
Fencing proposed on the western boundary had been amended to address wildlife impeded movement concerns. On the LEAP, it had consulted “with specialist place-based designers” and it was concluded to be the safest place.
Putting it near the entrance was “a much greater health and safety risk for children”, because they may run onto the road. “It creates a high quality, well-designed, attractive development,” he said of the scheme.
Ridge Ward Cllr Trevor Foster said, “recent improvements are entirely welcome” but they “barely cover” the numerous issues there were. “This submission is seriously flawed in so many ways.”
‘Palm track’ and ‘angry farmers’
“Our site visit today demonstrated how unsuitable Ings Lane is for this type of development,” said Cllr John Davison. “A couple of houses maybe, but 74? Nah.”
He described Ings Road as a “palm track” with cars at risk of “being dented by the large tractors going by”. “I know that if we refuse this, we’re probably on a hiding to nothing with the government inspector,” he said, but he felt “in all conscience” he had to refuse.
“This site is absolutely atrocious,” said Cllr Mick Grant. “The inspector, he must have gone to a different site, because why he’s ok’d it, I don’t know.” Traffic congestion and the road’s unsuitable nature was what stood out to councillors from the visit.
“I’ve never been shouted at by so many farmers in my life,” said Cllr Max Bell. He was “baffled” the inspector felt the roads were safe for it. “I can’t believe how much traffic there was at half past 11 on a Wednesday morning, 10 days before Christmas.”
Cllr Darryl Southern added two cars cannot pass on the road. The application was unanimously refused.
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Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
