Grantham Journal column: Allison Homes plan is not a done deal

Over the past few months when I have spoken to residents about the planning application by Allison Homes (ref S15/3189) I have occasionally been told that people feel that’s a done deal and whybother objecting.

I am pleased to report that this is not the majority view and that many residents are passionate about defeating these plans, so much so that nearly 700 objections have been received already with many more arriving into my inbox daily and to the planning department at SKDC.

As your elected councillor for the St Wulfram’s ward I take my role seriously and I would rather fight this application than sit at home with my feet up doing nothing. Standing up for my residents and fighting hard for their cause is in my character and along with the support of residents and the local parish council’s at Great Gonerby, Belton and Manthorpe I will continue to do all I can until the application is heard later in the year.

SKDC, on the other hand, believe that the area off the Manthorpe estate has potential to be developed along with other areas identified by consultants who have given their views in the Grantham capacity study.

My view along with those residents who have contacted me is that this application is in the wrong location and will add to the horrendous traffic delays which they experience each working day. It will also increase the pollution which has been identified along the Manthorpe Road and Brook Street and will detract from the beauty of our surrounding country side including nearby Belton House.

I say to those residents who wish to object that material planning objections, for example traffic, highway safety, smells and fumes, loss of privacy, capacity of the physical infrastructure, can be submitted right up to the committee date. It is easy to do by either sending me your objections to r.wootten@southkesteven.gov.uk or to the planning officer through the SKDC website.