Layout options for Grantham Southern Quadrant – Have your Say!
Residents in Grantham are being asked to choose their preferred layout for the Southern Quadrant – an area of land to the south of the town which includes the East/West Relief Road.
Two options have been developed following work with the land owner, The Buckminster Trust, and partners and will be available to view on the South Kesteven District Council website.
Local people will also be able to see the proposals at first hand at three public drop-in sessions during a six-week consultation.
Plans for the development, located between the A52 Somerby Hill and the B1174 Spittlegate Level, include:
- Up to 4,000 new homes, together with employment opportunities
- Provision of the East/West Relief Road – forward funded by Lincolnshire County Council
- Schools, open spaces, community and shopping facilities
- The road is a key part of the Southern Quadrant site and it is now very much a reality owing to Lincolnshire County Council’s willingness to provide early funding, to ease cash flow, enabling it to be built ahead of planned housing.
SKDC Leader Cllr Linda Neal said it was essential that residents were able to have their say to ensure that the development is well thought out and built in a controlled way.
Cllr Neal said:
“We want to make sure that any future development fits in with the existing area, protects the environment where possible, and is sensitive to the existing communities. That’s why we want to hear the views of local people during this important consultation stage.”
Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Martin Hill, said he recognised how important the development is for the town of Grantham.
He said:
“The new road will help remove traffic from the town centre as well as service the new homes and businesses. We have made provision for it within our budget to help speed up its construction, as we have for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. This money will be recovered in due course from the developers.”
As well as giving feedback on-line, there are three drop-in sessions planned near the site for local residents and in the town centre. They are:
- Witham Place sheltered housing complex on Bridge End Road, Grantham, on Thursday 19 April 2012 between 2pm-7pm
- Grantham Library (Isaac Newton Centre) on Friday 27 April 10am-3pm
- Grantham Library (Isaac Newton Centre) on Saturday 28 April 9.30am-12.30pm
- Cllr Frances Cartwright, Cabinet member and portfolio holder for economic development, also encouraged people to have their say.
She said:
“We would like people to spare us just a few moments to fill out a questionnaire, either on the website or at the drop-in events, which asks them to choose their preferred layout and tell us what they liked and disliked about both options.”
“Staff from both South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council will be available to answer any questions you may have.”
Comments which must be received by SKDC by Friday 11 May 2012 and will be used to develop a preferred design for the site which will go out for further consultation in Autumn this year.
Anyone who would like further information should contact the planning policy team on 01476 406049.