Moulton Chapel homes plan voted through

Controversial plans for 86 homes in Moulton Chapel have been given the go-ahead by planners.

Larkfleet Homes has been allowed to build the homes on land off Roman Road despite opposition from local residents.

The site is earmarked for development in the South Lincolnshire Local Plan, but only for 74 homes.

The applicant had initially asked to build 99 homes on the site but this application was for 86 homes.

As a result Larkfleet said it would only look to pay half the Section 106 money requested for education and health.

That led Moulton Chapel Primary School to be among the objectors to the development including an unpublished number of residents, the parish council, county councillors and South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes.

Only 14 per cent affordable housing compared to the council’s own standard of 25 per cent.

From taking the number of homes down by 13 homes, Larkfleet said it was also looking to make only half the section 106 commitments it had been asked for.

Coun Andrew Woolf also opposed and South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee: “This application has been running around for quite some time.

“We started off at 99 homes then went down to 85 now back to 86 so I think it demonstrates there’s been ongoing issues.

“In a political system I think we’ve got every single tier in that wants to object to this application.

“It’s more an issue of the amount that’s going on this site, not that it’s being developed.

“You can’t build half a classroom, employ half a teacher, build half a doctors and pay half a doctor, but that’s what seems to be offered.

“We need to make sure our village and towns get what they deserve.

“The school is full to capacity. You have to question where the children will go.”

Larkfleet’s planning manager Hannah Roy told the meeting that it was working with the council on Section 106 donations and concerns over refuse points and an archaeological study that needs to be carried out as a condition of the planning permission.

The report to the committee recommending approval states an independent survey said the current plans were viable.

Coun Chris Brewis called the plans “half-baked” and said the council should be “more rigorous” in contesting them.

Planning officers stated discussions over the application had lasted for over a year.

Councillors voted the application through nine for, five against.
Planning Committee chair Roger Gambba-Jones said: “The trump card for all developers is viability which often pulls the rug from under us when we have points covered.

“Viability is a very difficult issue to dispute and it’s the thing that trumps virtually everything we try to do when we talk about infrastructure and affordable housing.”