Neighbourhood Plan: Sleaford and Kirkby La Thorpe

What does this mean for the Link Road and the rest of Sleaford?

The development of a Neighbourhood Plan (or Plans) for Sleaford came about through the Town Council adopting advice from their Consultants. 

A bit late in the day but better late than never as some might say.

It has been registered with the Planning Authority N.K.DC and the plan will only be finally approved when confirmed (not just by N.K.DC) by an independent  Planning Inspector. This will be to ensure that it has reached the required standards: if it doesn;'t then recommendations will be made and the Planning Authority will have to consider the Inspectors views. 

The story so far is at Neighbourhood Planning. 

Many other Councils have gone through this process: not just in N.K.DC but nationwide. Some have been accepted in total but some, because they do not comply with the overall Local Plan through the Central Plan have not been accepted so far.

One issue certainly will be about the access routes into and around Sleaford. Watch this space (or better still the local media). 

 

Where will all the traffic go in Sleaford?

Posters, from NKDC, have been pinned to the lamp-posts near where I live in Holdingham today (13 May 2016). Post-note: Councillor Fernades has sent this link to me where the information is:


I must have missed a trick as I thought we had not finished commenting on the Local Plan (Central Lincolnshire version). A lot of houses, and promised facilities, to be accessed.

How long the development of the plans will take is anybodies guess. All on good greenfield land.

Official Opening of new Sleaford Town Council Premises (Town Hall)

These (two) movies show the opening ceremony. Using my Camcorder.

 Firstly the dedication by  Sleaford Parish Church: The Revd Philip Johnson - Vicar of Sleaford: and opening speech by Councillor Mark Graves with introduction by Mayor Garry Titmus. Then a short one of the unveiling of the Plaque. 

First video above: Dedication (> 3 minutes long)

The second (much shorter) is here: Unveiling

. 

St George's Day in Sleaford

I always like to see plenty of people around and hope the weather is fine, whenever Sleaford holds a Market. Not just today (St Georges Day) but on other days too. It is not always the case but this years St georges Day was bright (sunny intervals) but cold whenever the sun went in.

All the stall spaces were taken and a fair number of people were attending the market. The Morris Dancers gave their usual energetic diplay and the video below shows some of that. It was nice to see one or two younger people entering the fun and being given impromptu lessons.

Well done everyone involved.

Sleaford Councillor Candidate does well in Ashby de la Launde and Cranwell ward.

Didn't he do well? 

It was interesting that two of the three candidates in the Ashby de la Launde and Cranwell ward by-election came from Sleaford itself.  Well done Steve Clegg (who won) and is also a Sleaford Town Councillor. 

The local newspaper carried the story and also appeared on the NKDC web-site within minutes of the result being declared. 

Here they are: Sleaford Standard:  North Kesteven District Council.  

Added to that there is also good news about funding for Sleaford (through the Town Council)  from Tesco. It gives £12K to help develop and grow trees to enhance the town. So thanks Tesco and thanks to the Councillors who have helped in the last few months to raise our profile to improve our environment.

Trees already planted on George Street Play area/Open Space through its budgets. The new Tesco funds will help improve other areas.

Is the sewage in Sleaford? Or is it a wider Sleaford Problem?

Interestingly a report in a local "Sleaford" Newspaper" suggests sewage is seeming through to the surface in wet weather (and we have had much of that of late).

However on reading the article it mostly appears to be outside Sleaford.  

Like other areas we also have our problems when Septic-Tanks overflow and enter into the drains. But back to the newspaper article: please get it right media! The massive housing increase will put great strains on the infrastructure and will need massive investment. But lets be clear where the problem is. 

Back to you planners!

Sleaford Clean for the Queen: extend the principle for every day of the year!

Unsightly litter is a constant (and seemingly worsening) problem everywhere. Alongside Roads and Motorways evidence of litter (much thrown out of vehicles as an unwelcome present for the nearby Community).

 However  it is not all from that source but can be dropped by residents who have visited local Stores and Takeaways and other sources. 

March 4th was litter pick day on Castlefield(s) open space:  lovely area if looked after and kept clean. Thanks to everyone who attended to help. 

Postnote: Since I first wrote this piece the Beck and access to Newcomb court looks cleaner. Obviously there has been a litter pick of some sort - where thorns do not prevent cleaning of the Beck.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went a walk to Leasingham this morning (27 Feb) and noticed one or two changes (see photos below). Firstly work has started on the Holdingham Grange housing development alongside the A17. Lets hope that is inhabited by litter conscious residents. 

Unfortunately along the Hockmeyers side of the Lincoln Road there is evidence of an increase in litter piling up in the Becks. Because of the prickly growth it was hard to get a close-up. In a week when some Councillors and residents are involved in the Clean for the Queen - this part of town does not appear on the list (I am on the Castlefield Clean up). 

However if anyone wants to complain please do so - I will also add my three pennyworth.