The Planning Committee of South Holland Council was scheduled to discuss a full application for the proposed development of nine dwellings at Land off Postland Road, Crowland. The committee was also due to receive an update on recent planning appeal decisions.

Proposed Development of Nine Dwellings in Crowland

A significant item on the agenda was the full application for the proposed development of nine dwellings at Land off Postland Road, Crowland¹. The report pack detailed that the site is currently disused grassland, located outside the settlement boundaries of Crowland as defined in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan, 2019².

The report pack outlined extensive consultation responses from various bodies. Anglian Water³ initially objected to the development due to insufficient capacity at the Crowland Water Recycling Centre (WRC), raising concerns about environmental risks and potential breaches of environmental legislation. While revised proposals suggested using a private sewerage treatment plant, the Environment Agency⁴ expressed reservations about the reliability and environmental performance of such systems compared to public sewers. Ultimately, Anglian Water withdrew its objection to a revised proposal to connect to the public foul drainage network, subject to a Grampian condition⁵ to ensure adequate headroom at the Crowland WRC.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue⁶ provided requirements regarding access and the need for an additional hydrant. The North Level Internal Drainage Board⁷ had no objections in principle, noting that surface water disposal to a riparian watercourse would require consent under its Byelaws.

Lincolnshire County Council Highways, acting as the Lead Local Flood Authority, requested details on bin collection points and a pedestrian connection to Postland Road. In revised comments, they also requested conditions for tactile crossing points and footway realignment to improve public highway safety due to increased pedestrian footfall.

The Historic Places Team of Lincolnshire County Council initially highlighted the site's high archaeological potential, which they felt was underestimated in the submitted design and access statement. They recommended an archaeological evaluation, which was later deemed acceptable following the submission of further information.

Environmental Protection raised concerns about noise, recommending enhanced glazing for specific plots and a 2m acoustic grade boundary fence.

The Environment Agency provided detailed comments on flood risk. The site is located within Flood Zone 3, and the agency initially supported specific mitigation measures, including raised finished floor levels and flood resilient construction. However, they later advised that demountable defences were not appropriate for new-build developments. The report pack indicated that the proposal was considered to have failed the sequential test for flood risk, as other reasonably available sites at lower flood risk were identified. Despite this, the report noted that the proposed mitigation measures would ensure the dwellings are safe for their lifetime.

Crowland Parish Council⁸ shared Anglian Water's concerns regarding foul water disposal. The South Lincolnshire Council's Ecologist supported the mitigation and ecological enhancement recommendations, noting that a 10% biodiversity net gain could be achieved through offsite units. Conditions were recommended regarding vegetation clearance outside the bird nesting season and protection for great crested newts if present.

The Tree Officer noted efforts to incorporate existing landscaping and suggested conditions for tree works to be carried out to British Standard 3998:2010, with any additional works requiring local planning authority approval.

Eight letters of representation were received from the public, including seven objections and one comment. Concerns raised included the impact on flooding, loss of biodiversity, inadequate infrastructure capacity, impact on archaeology, and road safety.

The report pack concluded that the proposal was contrary to Policy 1 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan, 2019, regarding development in the countryside, and that it failed the sequential test for flood risk. It was recommended that the application be refused on these grounds.

Planning Appeals Update

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on recent planning appeal decisions. The report indicated that two appeals had been dismissed, one had been allowed, and none had been part-allowed. Specific details of the appeals, including the appeal site, officer involved, outcome, and decision date, were provided.