Parish Council

Central Lincolnshire Local Plan - Core Strategy

The following response was agreed by your Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday 5th March:

"NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE CENTRAL LINCOLNSHIRE LOCAL PLAN CORE STRATEGY

This Council notes with considerable concern the proposal to build over 40,000 new homes in this area of Lincolnshire over the coming years.  It is not convinced that the need for building on such an enormous scale has been fully demonstrated and that the proposals run the risk of adversely changing forever the nature and quality of life in this part of the county.  Such development would need a significant improvement in the local infrastructure and economy to support the increased population which this additional housing would bring about.  There is little evidence that this other and equally important part of the equation can, or will be, similarly progressed – particularly given the weak state of the national economy which is likely to continue well into the lifetime of these housing plans.

This Council does not consider itself to be a “nimby” and understands and accepts the need for some additional housing in our area.  However, it feels that this should be on a scale which is both sustainable and commensurate with the largely rural nature of our county.  It therefore supports the idea that any large-scale housing development should, as far as possible, be confined and limited to existing towns with any such development first being prioritised for brown-field sites.  In addition, it would hope that before new homes are built more effort is made to bring back into occupation those houses in both public and private ownership which remain empty without good reason.  This Council is opposed to the development of green-field sites for housing purposes which it feels should be used for the continued production of much needed food stuff.

It is understood, however, that the plans envisage some 8,000 homes being provided outside of the main development areas and in or around existing villages.  Most villages, including Nocton, cannot support the additional development which this number of homes would suggest, lacking as they do adequate roads, public transport, schools, employment, community facilities and shops, etc.  The significant development of villages in the way which is being proposed would, therefore, fundamentally and irrevocably change the nature of village and community life and it is contended that there is no political or other mandate to do so.  In recent years, Nocton has experienced a significant increase in its size as a consequence of two major housing developments, without any corresponding investment in its infrastructure – to the detriment of its residents.  Indeed, during that time it has lost its one and only shop!

This Council feels, therefore, that the provision of any additional housing within and around existing villages should be limited to small-scale, in-fill and sustainable development only, with anything larger being fundamentally and inextricably linked to the meaningful provision of upgraded infrastructure and amenities to support the increased number of residents.  Any such development should clearly only take place if it has the support of local residents.  Furthermore, this Council is fundamentally opposed to the provision of any housing within existing villages which is not sympathetic to, and in keeping with, the nature and character of the village itself both in terms of size and means of construction.

These views are entirely consistent with the comments made by the village’s residents during the consultation associated with the preparation of the Nocton Parish Plan which is shortly to be presented to the Parish Council for approval."

What can you do as local residents?

If residents wish to similarly respond, the enclosed draft is available: Resident's Copy, which should be sent in accordance with the guidance on the Joint Planning Unit website.

Address: Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit, c/o North Kesteven District Council, 5th Floor, City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln LN1 1D

Email: talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk

Why should you be interested?

Countryside at war as planning system collapses

"The countryside is in a state of warfare because of a ‘virtual collapse’ of the planning system that means local people are having to constantly fight housing and wind farms on their doorsteps, the National Trust has claimed."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9912754/Countryside-at-war-as-planning-system-collapses.html

'Limbo' warning on England planning changes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21699507

Parish Council Minutes [6 November 2012]

Item 7 - Nocton Hall
'In response to a question from a member of the public, the Chair indicated that NKDC had informed him that it was not aware of any proposal for a major development of the Nocton Hall site by a company “Living Villages”.'

Parish Council Meeting [5 March 2013]

A report was made to this meeting, giving an update on Nocton Hall. Since it became clear that certain persons had been looking around the site, Councillors decided to be proactive and contacted "Living Villages" for more information. This resulted in a joint meeting with the founder of Living Villages (Bob Tomlinson) and two representatives from LXB Retail Properties Plc (Tim Walton and Jon McCarthy) at North Kesteven District Council offices on 28 February 2013.

The purpose of this meeting was solely for Living Villages/LXB to give a presentation about their design ethos and how this might apply to our village, if ever a development were to be considered on this site.

No further meetings were arranged with the parties, although the Parish Council will continue to liaise closely with Karen Bradford (Corporate Director) and Andrew McDonough (Development Manager) of North Kesteven District Council.

www.livingvillages.com & www.lxbretailproperties.com

Budget 2013: Osborne urged to focus on house building

'British business is to call on the Government to unveil major commitments in housing and infrastructure in next week’s Budget in order to revive the ailing economy.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/9920026/Budget-2013-Osborne-urged-to-focus-on-house-building.html