Delayed progress on a new travellers site for Spalding which was granted planning permission a year ago should soon be at an end.
The controversial plan by South Holland District Council will see a new site established in Drain Bank North, alongside the A16 in Spalding and alongside a current illegal encampment.
The site will serve as a replacement for another unauthorised travellers site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Risegate. The council will then take control of the Broad Drove land.
Futher detail on the proposed Spalding site was due to be submitted by the end of last month. However, council cabinet member Coun Christine Lawton, who has been leading on the project, says things are coming together after a wrangle with Lincolnshire County Council.
“The delay in progressing the planning application has been primarily as a result of – in our view – Lincolnshire highways’ disproportionate response to the discharge of the pre-commencement condition regarding Drain Bank highway and the passing places,” she said.
“Amendments were required, after joint consultation, and we have resubmitted them for their agreement which we hope will be received in the next few days.
“We will then be in a position to finalise the costs before submitting the compliance application.
“Clearly the aim to submit the planning application before the end of May has slipped, but work has been going on in the background to enable commencement to start as soon as possible subject to a successful planning outcome.”
The new site will be able to accommodate 30 caravans and mobile homes across ten pitches.
Travellers first arrived in Broad Drove in 2004.
Coun Lawton added: “It is important that commencement and completion of this development is settled, both for the long-suffering residents of Gosberton Clough and the discharge of our obligation to DCLG [Department for Communities and Local Government] and the future occupants of the legal site.”
Outline consent for the plan was passed on June 6 last year by the tightest of margins. Councillors were deadlocked at 6-6 in a vote, with planning committee chairman Roger Gambba-Jones using his casting vote to give it the go-ahead.
* A planning application has been submitted to the council for two traveller/gyspy pitches in Gedney.
Mr L Lee wants permission for change of use of a paddock at Green Acres Park in Ropers Gate.
Each pitch would provide one mobile home and one touring caravan.
