The Planning and Regulation Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss a range of planning applications and traffic management proposals. Key items on the agenda included outline residential development at Cathedral Quarry, an inert waste management facility at a former MOD RAF Air Base, and a large-scale solar photovoltaic electricity generating facility. Several traffic regulation orders for proposed speed limit reductions and waiting restrictions in various locations across the county were also scheduled for consideration.

County Matter Applications

Cathedral Quarry, Lincoln: Outline Residential Development

An outline application for residential development of up to 70 dwellings with access and associated infrastructure at Cathedral Quarry, East of Riseholme Road, Lincoln, was scheduled for discussion. This application, submitted by The Lindum Group Ltd and The Corporate Body of the Cathedral Church, sought to establish the principle of development, with details such as layout, appearance, scale, and landscaping reserved for later stages. Concerns were raised regarding biodiversity net gain, the retention of protected trees, affordable housing provision, and the potential conflict with mineral safeguarding policies. The report pack indicated that the principle of development was acceptable given the site's allocation in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, but noted that delivering the full restoration and aftercare scheme for the quarry would be incompatible with residential development. The applicant proposed a mix of on-site and off-site biodiversity net gain, which did not fully comply with policy provisions. The offer of affordable housing was also below the policy requirement, with the applicant citing viability issues. The report recommended granting outline planning permission subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.

Former MOD RAF Air Base, Woodthorpe: Inert Waste Management Facility

The committee was scheduled to consider a retrospective application for the operation of an inert waste management facility at the Former MOD RAF Air Base, B1373, Woodthorpe, by MHD Construction Services Ltd. The operation involves the open storage, sorting, separation, screening, crushing, and blending of inert Construction, Demolition, and Excavation wastes for recovery as soil, a soil substitute, or aggregate, up to a maximum of 75,000 tonnes per annum. The report indicated that the unauthorised development was contrary to the spatial and locational strategies of the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan and the East Lindsey Local Plan due to its rural location and potential for increased HGV mileage. Furthermore, insufficient information was provided to assess the impact of noise on the nearest residential property, the converted control tower. Consequently, the officer's recommendation was to refuse planning permission.

Other Reports

Fosse Green Energy Limited: Development Consent Order Application for Solar PV Facility

An application by Fosse Green Energy Limited for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating facility with an export connection capacity of 240MW to National Grid's proposed Navenby Substation was scheduled for consideration. This included associated infrastructure such as a 480MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and access provision. As this is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the Council's role was to provide comments to the Examining Authority. The report indicated that officers were of the view that a crucial aspect of the proposal was ensuring certainty around the grid connection, as it relied on a new substation at Navenby which did not yet have planning permission. Significant negative impacts were identified concerning landscape character and visual amenity, cultural heritage, the loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, socio-economic factors, public health, minerals safeguarding, and waste management. The Council's recommendation was to approve the submission of the Local Impact Report and to inform the Examining Authority of the County Council's objection to the Fosse Green Energy DCO application.

Traffic Items

A series of traffic regulation orders for proposed speed limit reductions and waiting restrictions were scheduled for discussion:

• Billingborough, Birthorpe Road: Proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit. An objection was received stating the scheme was a poor use of public funding and that road conditions already dictated reduced speeds.
• Grantham, Albion Street, Albion Place, Albion Road & Chambers Street: Proposed amendments to waiting restrictions to address obstruction to larger vehicles and refuge collection wagons. Objections were received from residents concerned about the reduction in on-street parking, with some suggesting a residents' permit parking scheme.
• Grantham, Alma Park Road: Proposed waiting restrictions to address obstruction and visibility issues near a junction. Two objections were received from residents who did not support the restrictions, believing resources would be better allocated elsewhere.
• Holbeach, High Street and Fleet Street: Proposed disabled parking bays. Objections were raised regarding the loss of limited waiting bay space, potential impact on businesses, and disruption to deliveries.
• North Kelsey, West Street & Chapel Street: Proposed waiting restrictions near Kelsey Primary School to manage on-street parking associated with school drop-off and pick-up times. Objections were received citing concerns about displaced parking, impact on Blue Badge holders, and the necessity of the restrictions.
• Stamford, Roman Bank: Proposed waiting restrictions at junctions to improve traffic flow and visibility. Objections were received from residents and Stamford Town Council concerned about parking displacement and increased traffic speed. A minor modification to introduce additional restrictions was recommended.
• Swineshead, Abbey Road: Proposed loading restrictions to improve visibility of the school crossing patrol. Objections were received regarding parking displacement, safety of children, disruption to deliveries, and the necessity of the restrictions.
• Waddington, High Street: Proposed no waiting at any time restrictions at junctions to improve traffic flow and visibility. Objections were received from residents concerned about the loss of on-street parking and potential displacement. A minor modification was recommended.
• Woodhall Spa, Coronation Road and King George Avenue: Proposed revocation of exemption for cyclists from an existing one-way order. Objections were received from Jubilee Park and a resident, arguing that the existing two-way traffic flow for cyclists was safe and environmentally sustainable, and that prohibiting cyclists would undermine active transport goals.
• Wyberton, West End Road: Proposed speed limit reduction from 40mph to 30mph. This was considered a borderline case based on traffic speed data, and the Police had raised concerns about enforcement resources.

The committee was asked to note the content of the reports, consider any objections received, and make recommendations to the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport regarding the approval, modification, or withdrawal of the proposed orders.