April Update Holdingham

Farm Bridge, Woodside, Housing

The Woodside Open Space (play area) is still being assessed and residents have passed comments. One issue is the enforcement of a covenant: this shows the area perhaps as for residents recreational use only. I will keep this blog posted on this one when I get more information.

There is no discernible progress on the Farm Bridge: the rightside photo is of the track around the field on the Leasingham side. The adjacent field is getting pretty grown up now with the crops.

The leftside photo is of the houses/flats behind MaDonalds. I am assuming mostw ill be ready to live in by Christmas.

Election Posters and Signs

Watch out for party political posters being set up in spots which would never get through the planning regulations.

I spotted two: one near the Holdingham Roundabout and one on the Farm Bridge overlooking the A17. Both were removed - before I could get a photo of them.

Pressure on A17 Holdingham

This might seem distant but it has implications for the A17 bypass at Sleaford, and the traffic around the Holdingham Roundabout.

As well as the impending development of the biofuel factory at Kirkby La Thorpe and the 50 in and 50 out Lorries - there is a proposal for a British Rail Depot near Spalding. It will affect the A17 and lorry movements around to the A16.

I kid you not.

Farm Bridge Update

There is a photo opportunity next week for the Bridge, from the A15 near Leasingham to Holdingham, which now officially has been taken over by Highways. Obviously this has implications for the land alongside ther A17.

I will keep you posted.

Holdingham Educational Attainment

I was interested to see the latest Key Stage 4 (KS4) attainmant statistics for 2008/09. It is good and not so good really.

Whilst these are only one measure out of many - and education is only one aspect of community life - it is still a case of the jury is out. Here they are for Holdingham:

% 5 A* - C: ------------------- 73%
% 5A* - C (inc Maths and English): 45%

1. The Lincolnshire average is 76% and 56% respectively
2. The England average is 70% and 50% repectively.

Other wards of Sleaford generally perform better except perhaps the Castle Ward!

: data from the Lincolnshire Research Observatory

Woodside Open Space: Options?

The options suggested for Holdingham Woodside Open Space area, at last weeks Strategy meeting, were:

• Mixed housing: affordable and privately owned!


• Part Housing and Recreational Complex


• Wholly rented Allotments


• Recreational Purposes: all ages and including a small skate park and youth shellter


• Mix of affordable housing and a small pay area


• Mix of a Community centre and play area for all age groups


• Extend Sleaford Wood: in collaboration with the Woodland Trust


• Do nothing!

There were several residents at last Wednesdays meeting and District Councillor Peter Haysum also attended. A small working group was set up to look at the issue.

There are others that I would add but I am always intrigued by the idea of an area that attains a Green Flag award! At least it sets a standard and one that a community can be proud of. Other suggestions have been a running track and tennis courts.

Woodside Play Area - Open Space

I have written a blog on Woodside Open Space: Sleaford Wood on the SleafordChat Blog.

There are many issues to be considered at the Town Council Strategy Committee tonight (24 February) which will need to be answered at some stage. Holdingham, on that side of the Lincoln Road, is pretty well enclosed and objections have been successfully raised, against further developments, that will increase traffic onto the Lincoln Road.

I am not on this committee but will be interested to hear of what is proposed as a way forward.