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Search forGovernment U-turn on Eastern Bypass plans
Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 00:00
And plans for a 4,500 home urban village at Swanpool, on the outskirts of the city, have been saved.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears has removed official objections to the two projects – and batted them back to Lincolnshire planning authorities to sort out.
She overruled a panel of independent planning inspectors who said Lincoln should only get more roads as a last resort, saying a new eastern bypass is vital to the city's growth.
And she has shrugged off severe Environment Agency criticism of plans to build on much of Swanpool, off Skellingthorpe Road.
She says she "takes no view" on flooding concerns which the agency and independent inspectors raised over the site.
Mrs Blears has incorporated these decisions into the East Midlands Regional Spacial Strategy which will provide a blueprint on how Lincolnshire and the region is developed up to 2026.
She has also increased central Lincolnshire's overall housing targets but left it up to local authorities on where they will go.
Councillor Eddy Poll, economic development portfolio holder for Lincolnshire County Council, said Mrs Blears' changes were "great news".
"It is quite clear that the Government expects Lincoln to grow considerably which will be vital for the economy," he said.
Private developer Taylor Wimpey has submitted an application for permission to build homes at Swanpool.
Andy Marshall (30), of Westwood Drive, whose home overlooks the Swanpool site, said: "If houses are built on that land then all the water is going to flood into our properties.
"We cannot get insurance as it is."
There will now be a public consultation on the changes, ending October 17 after which a final revision of the Regional Plan will be published.
Submit comments online via a link at www.gos.gov.uk/goem
For the full story and to read what the document has to say about Lincoln's green wedges, requirements for new travellers' sites in Lincoln, West Lindsey and North Kesteven and more, see Wednesday's Lincolnshire Echo.
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