Plans for 270 new homes on edge of Bourne refused by councillors

Barratt Redrow and Cooke Trustees Farming wanted outline planning permission to build homes, including up to 81 affordable properties, on land south-west of Bourne, on agricultural land west of Raymond Mays Way with access from West Road.

South Kesteven District Council’s (SKDC) planning committee previously went against officers’ advice and voted to refuse permission for the scheme on August 5.

However, its decision required referral to the secretary of state before the council could issue a formal refusal.

The same application returned to SKDC’s planning committee meeting today (Thursday, October 15) following recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Planning officers had recommended that the committee stick with its decision to reject the application, but to update the reasons for refusal in light of the new policy.

Councillors were told that the applicant had provided the council additional information in an attempt to address some of the concerns.

The applicants argued the scheme would help address the district’s shortfall in housing sites ready to deliver homes over the next five years.

They also said the scheme would haveimproved walking and cycling links, crossings and bus stops. Green infrastructure would have covered about 55% of the site under the plans.

But members were not satisfied with the response from the applicants and remained concerned about the impact on the landscape and character of the area as well as the impact on road safety.

They also argued that the applicants had failed to provide sufficient evidence that transport improvements would be made.

Coun Sue Woolley (Conservative – Morton) said the applicant had failed to address her concerns.

She added: “The scale of development has not changed. The location has not changed. The impact on the countryside has not changed.”

Meanwhile, Coun Helen Crawford (Conservative – Bourne West) was concerned about road safety and transport.

She added: “The one entrance egress is still onto a very busy 60 mile per hour road, with no crossings for anyone to get across.

“It will still lack connectivity to the rest of the town. It will still extend obtrusively into open countryside and you will lose the unique landscape of where the flat of the Fens meets the South Kesteven uplands.”

The application was refused unanimously by councillors and will be referred to the secretary of state.

If the secretary of state doesn’t call-in the application then the council has permission to formally reject the application.