Agenda item

(To receive a report from Teresa James, Senior Project Leader, which invites the Committee to consider the Spalding Western Relief Road Highway Scheme. This decision is due to be considered by the Executive on 07 January 2020. The views of the Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the Executive as part of its consideration of this item)

The Chairman stated that a petition comprising 1343 signatures had been received in connection with the Spalding Western Relief Road and outlined the procedure for receiving a petitioner at the meeting.

Mrs Catherine Roberts introduced the petition requesting that the Council should amend the route of the proposed Spalding Western Relief Road and in particular the central section, to one which did not involve the demolition and destruction of up to nine family homes as defined in the safeguarded corridor.

Additional comments by Mrs Roberts included:-

·    Six alternative routes were available which did not involve the demolition of residential properties.

·    People had worked hard to buy their homes.

·    Publicity had identified massive support for affected residents.

·    The lack of prior notification to local residents by the Council about the proposals.

·    Along with all those within the safeguarded corridor, 99% of residents of Spalding were blissfully unaware of the change of route from the extensively advertised allotment route, to the secretly changed proposed route which demolished family homes.

·    People had their unique and personal reasons for wishing to remain in their homes.

Mrs Catherine Roberts was asked whether the reason for her attendance today was caused by a failure of the Council's procedures. Mrs Catherine Roberts stated that both the County Council and South Holland District Council had blamed each other. Residents had not received a request to attend a meeting when the allotments route had been discussed and it had been left to Councillor Mrs A M Newton to arrange a public meeting to discuss the route.

Officers outlined the report to be submitted to the Executive on 7 January 2020, including the strategic planning proposals arising from the proposed route, the removal of traffic from Spalding, support of the proposals by South Holland District Council, the delivery timescale, that planning approval had already been given for sections 1 and 5, the need for the road, the effects of national policy changes, the reduction in government funding for the project an explanation of the options appraisal with Route Option 3 the preferred route.

Comments by members included:-

·    The consternation caused to local residents because of the proposed route and that residential properties would need to be demolished.

·    A lot of new houses were proposed and yet it was proposed to demolish existing houses.

·    There would be improvements to air quality in Spalding.

·    The loss of agricultural land as a result of the construction of new housing.

·    There was little difference between the cost of the Option 3 route and the "Trojan Wood" route.

·    The majority of residents on Bourne Road were only made aware of the proposed Option 3 route late in the consultation process.

·    The Option 3 route went against the human rights of residents and therefore fall foul of the Human Rights Act.

·    Economic development would increase because of the new homes proposed to be constructed. However, nine homes would be demolished if route Option 3 was supported and this should be avoided.

·     It was important that routes were assessed before anything was committed to paper to avoid blight.

·    Route Option 4 should be examined as many of the risks could be overcome and costs would change in 10-15 years.

On a motion moved by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor E J Sneath, it was-

RESOLVED (Note: Councillor M Brookes stated that because the South East Lincolnshire Plan had been adopted he would vote on this matter)

(a)  That the report and comments by members be noted.

(b)  That the recommendations detailed in the report to the Executive be supported with the exception of recommendation 2 (Route Option 3) and that the Executive be asked to support Route Option 4 (the "Trojan Wood" route) as the preferred route for the Spalding Western Relief Road.