A councillor and his partner have been granted planning permission for what a political rival branded ‘a mansion’ in open countryside.
South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee voted through Coun Henry Bingham’s plans for the four- bedroom detached home with swimming pool and gym off Quadring Road.
Officers recommended it be approved even though it is outside development limits between Quadring and Donington.
That’s because they deem it a ‘self-build’ and the report quotes the applicant saying: “based upon figures that are available from early 2021, planning permissions which were explicitly for self-build or custom homes did not meet the demand shown by the council’s Custom and Self-Build Housing Registrar”.
It goes on to say a ‘self-build’ in open countryside refused in 2024 was overturned at appeal’. No objections were raised.
Coun Bingham, a Conservative politician, is usually a member of the Planning Committee but did not take part or vote on the proposal at last week’s meeting.
Coun Rob Gibson (Reform UK) said: “I’ve seen things way smaller and closer to where development should be refused and deferred.
“This isn’t a small house; it’s mansion in the open countryside.
“You’d have to resurrect Matthew Flinders just to find the area.
“It’s irrelevant who this is.
“If anybody put this before me I’d be horrified and think it’s disgraceful.”
South Holland Independent Sophie Hutchinson said: “It’s more akin to a prestige home. I don’t think it’s sympathetic to the surrounding rural character.”
But nine councillors backed the proposals to the four voting against with one abstention.
Coun Paul Redgate (Conservative) said the officer’s report went ‘over and above’ in its scrutiny of the plans.
“Even if it wasn’t put forward by another councillor, this ticks the boxes.
“From a design point of view we ask for great and exemplar buildings. From the outside, this is what it looks for.
“I can’t see any reason why it should be refused.”
Coun Jack Tyrrell (Conservative), who has in the past received criticism for applications he’s submitted, said: “We get punished enough as councillors.
“We have to jump through loads of hoops to get anything done.
“We have to come here (before the Planning Committee) for a start, even if we’re just having an extension built.
“Where would you build this thing if you wanted to put it in an area marked for development.”
