4 days Ago By [email protected] (Duncan Browne)
A council has welcomed the refusal of plans to build 123 homes on a town site - but argued the area continues to be left behind by new developments not bringing in much-needed infrastructure improvements. Brownmoor Developments’ application to construct the properties on the site of the former butterfly and wildlife park of Little London in Long Sutton was turned down by South Holland District Council’s planning committee last Wednesday (April 2). A statement issued by Long Sutton Parish Council said it was ‘extremely pleased’ with the outcome, but remained scathing about the handling of developments in the area - highlighting a lack of support for additional education and healthcare facilities.
Arguing the plans should never have reached SHDC’s planning committee, the parish council cited a caveat set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 40 years ago, stating the land would revert back to agricultural land if the park ever closed. "The council is extremely pleased that planning permission has been refused for this site after the council have continually objected to this proposal since 2015, when they sought a judicial review, and they have always supported the residents of the parish in their opposition to this proposed development,” a statement read. Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal “When the wildlife park was approved in 1985 MAFF put on a condition that should the park close the Grade I agricultural land should revert to farm land.
“Although MAFF is now known as DEFRA this does not in the council's opinion negate this condition set by a Government Department.” Plans to build 87 eco homes on the site were previously approved a decade ago, but their construction never materialised. SHDC’s planning committee turned down this latest application, with Coun Andrew Tennant stating: “We were sold a thoroughbred racehorse ten years ago for Long Sutton, and now we’re being told a donkey is okay because times have changed.
" However, Long Sutton PC highlighted its frustration with how its local landscape is being allowed to change, also accusing SHDC of allowing developers to dodge paying what it sees as their community contributions in full. The South East Lincolnshire Local Plan - introduced in 2019 by SHDC and Boston Borough Council - ruled that introducing a Community Infrastructure Levy - a charge that local authorities in England and Wales can impose on new developments to help fund infrastructure projects - was not viable or appropriate for South Holland at the time. However, money for healthcare, education and open spaces can be requested from developers by The NHS, Lincolnshire County Council and parish councils through section 106 requests.
“The parish has already lost an ancient orchard in this area to a solar farm, which was supposed to have served a Lido on this site which never materialised, nor did the eco development which was approved under exceptional planning conditions outside of the then development area, and has since been used to now include the area in the local plan as a housing site,” the statement added. “Long Sutton is currently being surrounded by new development but there has been no upgrading of the local infrastructure meaning a lack of school places, doctors appointments or investment in local services. “The opportunity for Long Sutton and all other parishes in the district to receive under the Community Infrastructure Levy is still opposed by SHDC, depriving the town of hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding due to the reluctance of SHDC to adopt CIL.
“It is hoped that the new CIL legislation given Royal Assent in 2023 will be introduced to enable parishes to receive funding and to end the continual amendments by developers to renege on Section 106 agreements through amendments to original planning consents.” The parish council’s statement concluded by hoping a line can be drawn under proposed developments on the Little London site. “The council hope that this latest refusal is now the last attempt to develop this site which once housed one of the loveliest amenities in the parish and it's environs and which bought many visitors and investment into the town,” it added.
“South Holland was once famous for its lovely flower festivals, the Flower Parade, lovely town centres and visitor attractions but has now declined into deserted town centres due to car parking restrictions, a plethora of take-aways, vape shops, arcades, the lack of enforcement in the large settlements conservation areas and the lack of use of SHDC powers in relation to derelict buildings such as the Bull Hotel in Long Sutton which continues to be an eyesore.” South Holland District Council has been approached for comment..
