Proposed Housing and Mixed-Use Site Allocations

Comment

Representation ID: 4516

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

Objection: Infrastructure Delivery Plan not yet prepared
A public meeting held on 19 July, attended by 217 people, revealed concern that infrastructure needs have not been addressed. The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group supports MDTC’s objection on this issue. The Infrastructure Delivery Plan should have been produced with the Local Plan and must include a clear strategy for timely delivery of infrastructure and amenities. The current infrastructure is already inadequate, and no growth is possible without improving existing amenities and adding new services. Similar concerns were raised by SKDC (29.05.25) and Lincolnshire County Council (28.05.25) in objections to Peterborough District Council’s proposal for 1055 houses. These letters form part of the DNP Evidence Base.

Objection: Sequential development of two major housing sites has not been addressed
SKPR-330 East of Linchfield Rd relies on prior development of SKPR-37 West of Linchfield Road for access to services. SKPR-330 should be treated as a reserve site.

Support: Removal of site at Millfield for housing welcomed

Objection: Additional employment sites could be included
SKPR-304 and SKPR-315 were omitted from the Plan but their inclusion as employment sites would promote The Deepings as a growth location and improve access between the Bypass and new residential areas.

Comment

Representation ID: 4517

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

No objection as permission now granted. Clear reference to Green Walk welcomed.

Object

Representation ID: 4518

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

Objection to loss of employment site.

Strategic Suitability of Continued Employment Use
The re-allocation of SKPR-55 for residential use is unsupported by evidence. The SKDC Employment Land Study (2024) doesn't justify removing employment land here. Page 90 states:
“The Deepings sub-area has limited access to a railway station yet is served well by the strategic road network... suitable for additional industrial, light industrial, storage and distribution, and manufacturing functions.”
The site is well-positioned for employment uses, adjacent to Spitfire Park industrial estate. Retaining employment land avoids residential amenity conflicts.

Employment Land Uptake and Viability
Recent developments at Spitfire Park, Hudson Square, and Merlin Court show strong demand when suitable premises are available. Most SMEs rely on developers for ready-to-occupy units. Lack of development reflects delivery challenges, not lack of demand. Planning policies must support viable delivery models that match the practical needs of growing businesses.

Access and Land Covenant Constraints
Vehicular access to the haulage yard must be maintained due to a restrictive covenant. Residential traffic would conflict with haulage operations, raising safety and compatibility concerns.

Conclusion
There is no rationale to release this site to residential development. Its location and suitability support its retention as employment land.

Comment

Representation ID: 4519

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

Principle of proposal accepted, and connection to SKPR-330
welcomed, but objection to absence of requirement for
• community hub and supporting public facilities &
• prior traffic modelling.

a. Secure a balance of land-use.
Future planning should incorporate mixed-use facilities—leisure, health, retail, green space, public amenities—to enhance cohesiveness, local character and self-sufficiency. Attached Masterplan begins to express a sustainable extension to The Deepings.

b. Material Change in Circumstance
The growth trajectory is now extensive and directed north and eastward, as shown in SKDC’s July 2025 Site Assessment Report.

c. Consistent policy framework
Both SKPR-37 and SKPR-330 must be governed by a consistent framework that anticipates sequencing.

d. Access and connections
Criterion b is welcomed but should extend to service layout, infrastructure, and open space design to ensure a cohesive urban extension.

e. Traffic management
1520 homes across both sites require settlement-wide traffic modelling and improved access northward to the Bypass. Southbound travel risks pressure on historic bridges. Emerging Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

f. Junction improvements
Significant upgrades are needed at Spalding Road and Towngate East junctions.

g. Green Walk.
Reference is welcomed.

h. Draft masterplan work has started and may extend to SKPR-330 with SKDC or landowner support.

Comment

Representation ID: 4528

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

Principle of proposal accepted, but objection to absence of following.

a. Greater mix of development.
The new neighbourhood will be further from services than SKPR-37 and must provide a greater level of self-sufficiency. Designated space needed, particularly to the southern edge, for leisure/sports/health/retail/education/green space/public amenities.

b. Sequencing development: SKPR-27 & 330.
SKPR-37 has been promoted for nearly a decade- may not be developed in a timely way. SKPR-330 could suffer from poor connectivity to facilities at Godsey Lane. Access is currently via PROW 4 across a ploughed field. Potential to treat SKPR-330 as a ‘reserve site’—approach supported by South East Lincolnshire Local Plan Inspector.

c. Amenity for new houses
Consider noise from the Rugby Club and Woody Heights Skatepark. Associating new open space with Skatepark has logic.

d. Design and character.
Important for development from middle to south, e.g SKPR-316. Homes should integrate visually with existing properties. A draft Masterplan for SKPR-37 exists and might be extended to SKPR-330 with SKDC/landowner support.

e. Key junction improvements at Spalding Road and Towngate East needed

f. Allocate part of site for leisure use
The southern edge of SKPR-316 is a potential site for multi-use Leisure centre. A funding pot from S106 contributions is suggested to support delivery.

Object

Representation ID: 4533

Received: 26/08/2025

Respondent: Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group

Objection to the principle of development here due to its distance from most services in The Deepings, and access difficulties along Broadgate Lane.

Objection also to absence of
a. community hub, shops and supporting public facilities essential to a cohesive, self-sufficient neighbourhood
b. a masterplan requirement
c. high-level traffic modelling to assess cumulative transport impacts.

If the site is promoted, development shouldn't
proceed without convincing enhancements to access both the site and Rycroft Avenue's service area.

a. Comparison with initial development.
Previous proposal of 18 houses was not objected to, which was proportionate. We object to the current scale of 193 houses, unless key issues are addressed.

b. Opportunity to develop new neighbourhood centre
The site offers opportunity to enhance Rycroft Avenue with parking, infrastructure, and services, creating a vibrant neighbourhood centre with amenities and open space.

c. Access concerns:
Protected pedestrian-only access from Back Lane (DNP12)
Broadgate Lane’s limited capacity and visibility, with impacts on Priory Church events
Rycroft Avenue’s junction pressure due to congestion and informal parking
Current Congestion issues

d. Design and local character
Design near the Priory Church must respect its heritage, with view corridors and built form planned to complement its identity and landscape.