Rod Whiting on Holdingham

The BBC Radio Breakfast Rod Whiting show last Wednesday (23 May), brought up, once again, the proposed developments in Sleaford: 4000 houses plus, new Care Home/Dementia Centre, Health Centres etc etc. Not new: it was a rehash of the Sleaford Master Plan.  I think it has (now/soon)  been removed/out of date (will be after 30 May)and not available on the IPlayer. They contacted me to be available: but it all seemed premature, at this stage, and I didn't get involved.

However the 8.05a.m  broadcast had interviews wiith residents and with NK Officers and Highways. Those interviewed stressed that they are just plans at this stage and a consultation period has just ended. It still leaves many questions to be answered: floodplane, archeological protection et al. What all these plans still miss (this one talked about the Dementia Centre and 230 homes of which 40% will be affordable - whatever that means in practice) is the impact of such homes, near the A17, will have on resources and infrastructure. Those interviewed seemed content with this level of growth but unfortunately it is a fraction of what is proposed for the next 20-25 years.

With Biofuel lorries adding to the congestion of the A17 bypass - the extra traffic that these homes, and more, will generate will help block a vital transport link between Newark and Boston. No wonder they are desperately looking for a southern route around Sleaford to take the extra traffic from Greylees and  proposed and existing developments!

We are in for a long haul I am afraid!