Planning officers have recommended permission is granted for a 100-home development in Crowland, despite councillor concerns.
A contribution of £44,000 towards healthcare provision and a total of £15,000 towards local bus service provision are proposed conditions. And at least a third of the homes will have to be affordable.
South Holland’s planning committee previously deferred a decision on the Wheatley Homes application for land at Harvester Way due to fears residents of the new homes could be disturbed by and complain about nearby existing industry, which includes major employer Crowland Cranes. There are also worries about increased congestion on local roads.
Peter Issitt, Crowland Cranes managing director, said residents must join the existing community in being supportive of it or it would move elsewhere. The firm employs 55 people plus contractors from the site.
Mr Issitt said: “From our point of view we need to make sure we are getting 110 per cent support from the community of South Holland to protect the business.”
A report to next Wednesday’s (Sept 28) planning meeting says whilst the concerns previously raised are justified they should be able to be resolved when a detailed application is submitted at a later stage. The current application is for the principle of putting homes on the site.
Crowland Parish Council and South Holland’s economic development department objected to the proposal as the land was earmarked for employment use.
The applicants have stated supply of employment land in South Holland exceeds demand whilst there is an “acute” housing need.
Coun Angela Harrison fears the impact of extra traffic on the nearby Peterborough Road junction with James Road.
She said: “This notoriously busy junction will become gridlocked at peak rush hour, forcing traffic through the town. It won’t be long before there is a serious accident.”
