Controversial plans for 80 new homes in Crowland look likely to go ahead despite Anglian Water’s claims that it can’t cope with the added sewage disposal.
The plans, for a site off Normanton Road have been amended by the developer Allison Homes, with changes from the original application made last autumn.
Anglian Water had objected to the original plan and its position didn’t change with the amendments.
But a report to go before the planning committee of South Holland District Council next week, says that the water company provided no evidence or details of potential problems caused by the new homes.
Developers have a legal right to link into existing sewerage systems.
“The sewerage undertaker cannot refuse to permit the connection on the ground that the additional discharge into the system will overload it,” says Section 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991.
The report to members of the committee continues: “No further detail of this matter has been provided, nor have the likelihood or potential harm been specifically identified in relation to the site-specific risk and environmental harm that would occur should the development be approved and connected to the existing foul network.”
The original application saw a raft of objections from residents and the parish council. Comments ranged from over-development to the loss of agricultural land.
“Whilst the loss of an agricultural field is unfortunate, this is an acceptable and already established loss to provide the strategic growth and housing needs of the district and the settlement,” says the report. It continues that the ‘notable change in respect of the sites visual context’ was considered appropriate as the site had been allocated for housing.
“This is further considered given the immediate context to the south and west, which comprises residential development alongside existing built form,” the report adds.
Conditions imposed on the developer include a provision of 20 ‘affordable homes’ and a payment £475,000 will go to primary education and £20,000 a year over three years will go to Stagecoach for bus provision.
A request of £120,000 by the parish council for a sport and community building has been reduced to £17,000.
An equipped play area will also be provided on the site, with details to come at a later stage.
Conditions also outline that during the construction period, no deliveries or work can take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays or outside the times of 7.30am to 6.30pm weekdays and 9am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.
