Can Louth cope with 1,000 extra homes?

A MARKET town's population could dramatically increase after plans were revealed for up to 1,000 new properties.

An Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted for a new residential area covering 94 hectares of agricultural land to the rear of Agarth Farm and Southfield Farm, in the Legbourne Road area of Louth, which currently has a population of about 17,000.

Depending on the assessment and a scoping and screening request submitted to East Lindsey District Council, an outline planning application could be forthcoming.

The application has been made by Gladman Developments and landowners AR and MA Pridgeon.

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The exact number of houses has not been confirmed but it could be up to 1,000 new homes.

According to the document, it will create a sustainable residential extension to Louth, providing high quality homes but also community buildings, local shops, a new primary school, a health centre and dentist, recreational areas, cycle and pathways – and employment opportunities to serve the development.

An Environmental Impact Assessment identifies key environmental issues likely to arise from the development.

Councillor George Horton, whose district council ward covers the proposed area, said: "We always welcome new development for its economic viability to help support the town.

"However, a concern I have with a development of this size is, are there the jobs in this area to sustain it? We will have to wait and see how the plans develop."

In the past, the Legbourne Road and Keddington Road area has been flooded with surface water, and residents have complained about ongoing

odour problems from Southfield Farm.

Comments already on the application include those by the education service at Lincolnshire County Council, which said: "Such a large application will have a great deal of impact on schools in Louth and we have been previously consulted by the agent and provided some details on the scale of mitigation we would require – namely a new primary school.

"Once the detail of the application is available we will respond in detail and consider additional aspects such as early years and childcare requirements also.

"We look forward to working with ELDC and the applicant to develop a sustainable project that does not adversely impact on Louth primary schools, which are projected to be full and have no opportunity to expand on the scale needed to accommodate a development of this size."