East Lindsey District Council planning committee refuses plans by New Linx Housing Trust

THE future of a social housing development built higher than permitted is being questioned after a fresh application to address the issues was again refused.

East Lindsey District Council's planning committee refused plans by New Linx Housing Trust who put forward mitigation measures for the homes built on Manor Drive in Halton Holegate.

The land and floor levels of nine plots have been raised above those permitted.

Previous mitigation measures have been refused by the committee and an appeal dismissed.

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The measures presented this time included replacing the roofs and brick gable ends to fully hipped roofs – a flatter roof style which would reduce the height visually; reducing the majority of the rear ground areas to match the original ground levels; remove chimneys and some existing neighbouring properties were to receive more land for their garden from changes made to the rear access passageway.

New Linx also said they would install a filter drain to help with drainage issues.

Speaking against the application, a local resident, Mr Emerson, said: "Linx Housing do not believe that our rear gardens were flooded in 2012. They have not taken our flooding seriously and are not taking our concerns seriously. They have shown no talent for precision so far."

A representative from New Linx Housing said the structural alterations will reduce the roof height design significantly, increasing the view of the sky for existing houses.

He said: "We are quite aware some of the residents are still not satisfied but with any application, it is not possible to fulfil all the wishes of the community but we hope this goes some way in rectifying this situation."

Local ward member, Councillor Jim Swanson, spoke on the application for the fourth time, in support of local residents.

Among his concerns were that changing the roof to hipping will make little difference as the height of the windows remain the same and there is no maintenance plan proposed for the planting which he said would 'dominate.'

He said: "This application is complicated. It may look fine from Manor Drive but when you get into the bowels of it, it really is not nice.

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind this application needs careful consideration and the fact it is already built should not carry more weight. This is affecting the lives of my constituents."

Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders shared the same concerns as the local ward member.

She said: "My heart bleeds for these poor people – it just goes from bad to worse."

Councillor Hazel Newcombe, who was one of the councillors who attended a previous site visit, said: "You have got to be there just to see how these people are living. Nobody in their right mind would want to live in that area. I honestly believe all that has been put together does not mitigate the amenity of the residents."

Councillor Terry Knowles added: "This is fencing, hiding, trimming and shaving – it is wrong."

Following the meeting, a spokesman for New Linx Housing would not confirm whether pulling the homes down is an option being considered.

She said: "We are waiting to receive the formal decision notice from East Lindsey District Council before we review our options."