Plans for 76 new homes in Monks House Lane sparks fears over whether Spalding's infrastructure can cope

Fears about Spalding’s struggling infrastructure have been raised as the town is earmarked for nearly 500 new homes.

Seagate Homes has applied to build 76 new dwellings on the former Ivanda Nursery site on Monks House Lane, Spalding.

This comes after Ashley King Developments was given the green light to build up to 400 properties in Pinchbeck last week.

Spalding councillor Stephen Timewell fears the latest application would put a further strain on our already buckling services.

Coun Timewell, who represents Monkshouse ward on the district council, said: “I appreciate that we need new housing but we need the infrastructure in place too.

“The planning team are specialists, and I’m sure they will consider every aspect, but I’m concerned that the infrastructure will not be in place to cope.

“I imagine what they are calling ‘Beechfield Two’ (the former Pennygate GP Surgery), would take on these new residents and I’m not sure if they’re not already oversubscribed.

“They seem to already be struggling with the patients they do have, but the NHS has assured me that they are constantly monitoring the situation - especially now with the new housing agreed off the relief road.”

A design and access statement included within the application states that the site now ‘represents the last undeveloped parcel within this part of the town’.

It is proposed that the 2.3 hectare site would be used for a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, with the existing glass houses and buildings set to be demolished.

It adds: “In broad terms, we can identify no objections in principle to the development of the site.”

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, of Wygate Ward and vice-chairman of the district council’s planning committee, says this application is a challenge.

He said: “I’m not surprised given the location and the opportunity it offers them.

“We will need to see what the impact is going to be and what the issues will be for the residents adjacent to it, particularly those on the more established side of it.

“I think those residents will be particularly concerned as that side is much more established and more generously proportioned.

“It’s going to be an extremely tricky one for everyone involved because the people who own the land will also be seeking the best return on their investment. We will need to keep an open mind.”

l See page six for the Pinchbeck report