A “completely unsuitable” proposal to turn a former residential care home in Spalding into 17 flats has been allowed by a planning inspector.
The decision has angered local residents who say they are left wondering what the point of a local planning committee is if one person’s view can overrule its verdict.
Market Homes’ plan to convert Halmer Grange in Grange Drive was rejected by South Holland District Council’s planning committee last March.
Councillors agreed with officers that, in line with planning policy:
- the scheme should have 33 per cent affordable housing
- the proposed development would cause unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance to existing and future occupants due to its density, restricted access and lack of parking provision and amenity space
However, the refusal decision was successfully appealed by Market Homes.
The planning inspector said the proposal was a “substantial benefit” to housing, there was no need for any contribution towards affordable housing and there would be no “unacceptable harm” to adjoining residents or the flats’ occupants.
Grange Drive resident Joy Mann, whose husband Nigel spoke at the March planning meeting on behalf of 35 households, said: “How can the local councillors find the whole thing unacceptable and have the full support of the local planning authority and yet one person’s view is right?
“It’s all a mockery. What’s the point of a planning authority if they don’t take any notice of their decision?”
It was council leader Gary Porter who labelled the plan “completely unsuitable” and Mrs Mann says he and MP John Hayes are trying to negotiate a better outcome for the objectors.
The appeal being allowed was the third time out of 12 occasions this year that council planning decisions have been overturned.
