Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced the second application, 142675, Hamilton Hill, opposite Poplar Farm, Tealby Road, Walesby and asked the planning officer for an update. She wanted to recommend a further condition be added that was not on the report. That prior to the first use of the site that a small footway section and tactile crossing be installed to gain access to the farm over the road which contains a restaurant/café. The Committee saw photos and plans of the site.

The first speaker for this application was David Thurman from Walesby Parish Council.

“Thank you and good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm David Thurman, Chairman of Walesby Parish Council.

We are of the opinion that this application should be rejected. This is the third such application on the sites of Poplar Farm and Hamilton Hill, which is opposite to Poplar Farm, which I think was originally part of Poplar Farm. Poplar Farm was a traditional Lincolnshire farm raising Lincolnshire Red Cattle very much fitting into the environment and I do remember when it was such.

This application and the previous two across the road at Sunnyside are replacing that farm and so the agricultural land which wasn't part of the original farm with a very large holiday camp more suited to a coastal holiday resort like Skegness, and totally inappropriate in an area of great landscape value bordering on the AONB.

The three applications together contain a provision for parking of 128 cars, two per chalet at peak, moving around and on and off the site bringing traffic issues, light pollution issues and noise issues.

This whole project has not been totally supported by the experts, your own planning decisions for the first two applications, 139788 and 141422 limited the number of cabins to maintain and enhance the rural character of the area, the setting of the Lincolnshire Wolds the AONB and to protect wildlife, and in accordance with policies LP2, LP 17 and LP 26 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Lincolnshire Wolds countryside services include for this application the cumulative impacts from the change of use from agricultural land as submitted in this application will be detrimental to the rural character of the AGLV and the wider setting of the AONB. The findings of the landscape and visual impact assessment suggests that the development would indeed have an impact upon the longer views from the AONB. With regard to Hamilton Hill and its historical past, no one seems to be saying that because of that, the development should not take place. Those commenting on the historical perspective, are still reserved in their opinions. Sir Edward Leigh did not feel that the development interfered with the historic setting, but did feel that the site should be officially designated a site of historical interest.

LCC historic environmental officer says that the site is a feature in the historic landscape, and that should be taken into account with regard to planning application. Historic England has concerns regarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53