Row over 'cheeky' county border homes plan

Thousands of new homes are being planned for The Deepings in Lincolnshire

A row has broken out over new housing in Lincolnshire.

Peterborough City Council (PCC) has been accused of being "cheeky" for wanting to put new homes close to its border with The Deepings in Lincolnshire.

A council spokesperson said "the area's young people need new housing".

However, Councillor Phil Dilks, of neighbouring South Kesteven District Council (SKDC), said it would "put more strain on infrastructure".

The Deepings, which includes Deeping St James and Market Deeping, currently has 6,276 homes, according to the 2021 Census.

SKDC has allocated a further 1,800 homes in the area under its local plan, which is currently out for public consultation.

Peterborough has also earmarked some nearby land, just into its border, to take 1,050 houses, in its local plan, which is also being consulted on.

If both plans get signed-off by the government, the total number of homes in the area would increase by 45%.

Judy Stevens of Deeping St James Parish Council says local people are concerned about infrastructure

Judy Stevens of Deeping St James Parish Council said residents were worried about the prospect of more housing without extra facilities such as shops and schools.

"People already feel let down because they have been promised increased infrastructure as a result of already existing new developments and that hasn't translated into reality," she said.

"They're not saying not in my backyard, but they are saying no to this many."

Dilks, who represents Deeping St James on SKDC, said: "Market Deeping and Deeping St James are entirely in South Kesteven District Council. What Peterborough are looking at is a piece of land south of Market Deeping.

"We have made our views known to Peterborough and I think it's a bit of a cheek when clearly those people would be using the infrastructure that is already strained in The Deepings".

Councillor Nick Thulbourn, cabinet member for growth and regeneration at PCC, agreed anyone buying the new houses in its area would use the public amenities over the border in Lincolnshire.

However, he said any strain on infrastructure would be factored into the local plan when it was adopted.

"Peterborough is a young growing city so we need housing and we need for young people to get on with their lives," he said.

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