Residents oppose plans for one of Louth's biggest housing developments in a decade

A RESOUNDING "no" has been voiced by residents against plans for one of the biggest housing developments for Louth in a decade.

Just under 100 people from the Fulmar Drive, Brackenborough Road and Keddington Road area of Louth attended a public meeting to raise concerns about plans for 149 new homes off Fulmar Drive, proposed by Taylor Wimpey.

The meeting was arranged by resident Simon Tighe, who has set up the Save East Louth campaign and petition.

It gave residents an opportunity to ask questions to the planning and highways departments as well as flooding issues with the Environment Agency.

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Taylor Wimpey has submitted an outline planning application which is currently in the consultation process. The company was not invited to the meeting.

Among the concerns were the need for such homes, the extra cars the development will generate on an already busy area, the danger of the roads including the busy junction at the Spar shop and access.

Lincolnshire County Council highways officer Cliff Vivian faced answering some difficult questions as highways have not objected to the application. Mr Vivian fell silent when asked if the council could do an independent traffic assessment to compare against the assessment provided by Taylor Wimpey.

Resident Lee Willoughby said: "It needs to be independent otherwise it will show only what they want to show. I don't know when they did the assessment but you struggle to get through at all times of the day.

"The transport assessment needs to be carefully scrutinised. Lincolnshire County Council needs to do your own, will you do that?

"Your silence speaks volumes."

The developer has said they will provide a mini-roundabout at the junction with the Spar to help improve traffic flow but the public struggled to see how this would resolve the danger on this road.

Mark Roberts, deputy head teacher at Cordeaux School said: "We have had some near misses with children coming from the Spar shop, a couple of students have nearly been hit."

Another person said: "I use that junction every day and it is like wacky races most of the time."

One member of the public said a new access road should be formed off the Industrial estate.

Mr Vivian said: "I thought it was a good idea but when I put it to the traffic team they did not think it would work. They said it would not only serve that part of town but St Bernard's Avenue, creating further traffic problems."

Paul Thomson, planning officer at East Lindsey District Council, said all planning decisions have to backed up by planning law and evidence.

The earliest date the application could go before the planning committee is October 18. To join the Save East Louth campaign, e-mail save-east-louth@hotmail.com