Plans for 109 homes in Welton approved

Concerns were raised over the road infrastructure around Eastfield Lane

An application to build 109 homes in a Lincolnshire village was "reluctantly" approved by councillors.

Plans to construct the properties in the village of Welton were rejected two years ago over concerns over the road infrastructure around Eastfield Lane.

The plans were adjusted by the developer and resubmitted last year.

Despite receiving 80 objections the new plans were voted through by West Lindsey District Council.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, multiple concerns were raised at the planning meeting over the safety of access roads along Eastfield Lane.

However, the meeting heard that the county council's highways team lodged no objections to the plan.

Many members of the planning committee referenced a desire to "find reasons" to reject the application, but feared it would only result in defeat and a worse outcome overall if an appeal was lodged to the Planning Inspectorate.

Conservative councillor Tom Smith said the decision was a case of head versus heart.

"My heart says yes, we should absolutely refuse this because that road is not what I would consider suitable," he said.

"But my head says if we refuse it on highways grounds, we are going to lose any appeal in any case, particularly as it's an allocated site.

"Because it's an approved site in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and highways haven't objected, as much as I'd love a reason to reject this application, I can't."

A quarter of the homes will be affordable housing

His view was echoed by committee chair Liberal Democrat councillor Matthew Boles

"As much as I've tried to find reasons to refuse it, I will second the proposal to approve," he said.

Some 25% of the development will be affordable housing.

There will also be a contribution of £70,000 towards extending health centres in the area.

The committee voted to grant outline approval for the development, with reserved matters brought back to the planning committee at a later date.