Civic leaders fear new policies could 'stagnate' growth in Skegness
CONCERNS that a document setting out policies for growth and development could "stagnate" Skegness have been raised by civic leaders.
The Town Council has been asked to give its response to East Lindsey District Council's Draft Core Strategy which is currently out for consultation.
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The document sets out the vision, objectives and planning policies that will shape development in East Lindsey over the next 15 years.
The main policy concerns raised by councillors surrounded restricting growth in Skegness in favour of growth around inland towns due to coastal flood risk and a lack of focus on how to maintain an out-of-season economy.
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Skegness Mayor, Councillor Mark Anderson, said: "I have got immense concerns if this new policy goes through it will stagnate this town.
"If you look at the district's housing waiting list, 6,300 people are on the waiting list for affordable housing – 4,000 of them are from Skegness.
"The affordability of people buying their own houses is virtually nil in Skegness because the average wage doesn't support that person getting a house."
Councillor Steve Kirk said: "If you really want to kill somewhere, let's stop people living there.
"We have had this debate many times and I just think that is so blinkered I would be embarrassed to write it in my report.
"It's not beyond the wit of man to design properties that will withstand flooding. We are talking about a risk that we can negate with design."
Several councillors spoke about a need for Skegness to provide an economy that isn't solely reliant on tourism and Councillor Gary Ellis said that there should be a focus on looking what skills were in the area, and trying to encourage industries who can use those to provide jobs.
Following the debate, Councillors Neil Cooper, Steve Kirk, Mark Anderson and Gary Ellis agreed to formulate a response which would be submitted to ELDC.
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