Parish Council's Decision Day for Rugby Club's Planning Application

This evening Nettleham Parish Council will meet to consider the planning application, submitted to West Lindsey District Council (the Planning Authority), by Lincoln Rugby Football Club at a  meeting being held at the Village Hall, Brookfield Avenue, Nettleham from 7:45pm.

The Rugby Club's proposals first came to light earlier in the year when members of the Parish Council were notified by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr. Terry Williams, that an article would be going in the Nettleham News regarding a proposed development and that an extraordinary meeting would be convened.

Whilst the Parish Council received a considerable amount of criticism for arranging a meeting for mid July - shortly before the school holidays began - at every stage the Parish Council attempted to conduct itself in an open, transparent and accessible way. Unfortunately because of timing, notice of the meeting went out between issues of the Nettleham News meaning that the council's preferred method of publicity was not an option.

Local resident Mr. Steve Perkins, took it on himself to arrange a public meeting in early November and a petition collected indicated that those attending were 96% against and 4% in favour (sample 104). This contrasts sharply with the poll conducted on this blog where figures at the close of the poll showed only 14% against and 85% in favour (sample 171).

The Parish Council's determination is taken in the light of severe troubles at West Lindsey District Council's planning department which has seen one officer put on suspension, at least one officer has left their post, a political storm which is threatening the stability of the ruling Conservative administration & leadership and one Liberal Democrat councillor who is believed to have resigned because of the problems in planning.

Tonight's meeting is expected to draw a considerable crowd. Mr. Perkin's meeting drew a crowd of over 100 and the parish council expect the venue to be swamped by interested parties. The meeting had to be moved following the interest in this issue.

All eyes this evening will be on the Parish Council's decision.

Exclusive: Local Couple In Favour of the Rugby Club's Development

Local Couple speaks out in favour of Rugby Club Development
A Nettleham couple,has sent http://gilesmcneill.blogspot.com their views regarding the Lincoln Rugby Football Club's proposed development.

They say:

"As Secondary School PE teachers, we believe that any development that encourages children to get involved in physical activity and gives them another focus is to be welcomed. In this instance children from four years old to eighteen years old will be actively involved, and the nature of rugby itself promotes self discipline and respect which are admirable qualities."

In their communication they point out their veiw that the 'green belt' will in effect be kept green, with only one building and a relatively, proportionally small tarmaced area for parking. Secondly that there is already an established sports ground abutting the proposed development - namely Mulsanne Park. Thirdly they believe the Rugby Club will make the effort to engage the community and become part of it, whilst not imposing themselves.

The couple attended the residents meeting organised by Mr. Steven Perkins and the following were raised at the recent meeting, they respond that: Regarding increased traffic. Whilst the Rugby Club claim they will direct the traffic on to the A146 (and we do believe they will, as it is in their best interests), the fact is some traffic will go through Nettleham. In their opinion this will not impact greatly on the village. The two busiest times for the Rugby Club are Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and should people decide to drive through Nettleham when there is a Church wedding or Service on then they will quickly realise there is already a bottleneck and the A158 would in fact be the easier option. Mention was also made of buses coming through the village – there already are school buses and others on a daily basis rather than once a week.

Secondly, regarding the potential for increased light and noise pollution. They believe that when put into context there seems little impact on the surrounds when taking into consideration the light and noise pollution that already exists from the traffic on the A158, the football pitches on Mulsanne Park and street lamps. Taking into account that the light pollution would only be there two nights a week.

Thirdly they mention that there were other complaints at the meeting which seemed rather frivolous, although we are sure no less important to the people involved, for example the impact on horseriding on the bridlepath and the effect the new development will have on those that overlook it; assuming they can see over the existing football pitches!.

"We do know that some residents of the village are concerned about the village ‘growing in size’ or becoming a ‘town’. Once the University decided to expand in Lincoln then expansion has become inevitable. The owner of the land in question is presumably willing/wanting to sell, therefore one must assume there will be a development of some sort in the future. Whether residents are willing or not, change may be on its way in the near future.

"...[W]e are wholeheartedly in support of the proposed development of Lincoln Rugby Club."

Report on Lincoln Rugby Club Residents Meeting

Update to Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update 3, Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update 2, Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update and Opposition to the Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises.

Readers of this blog will be aware of the Lincoln Rugby Football Club's intention to develop a site on Lodge Lane. An ad-hoc meeting of local residents was held at the Village Hall, Brookfield, Nettleham at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 3rd November 2009 on the matter of the Rugby Club plan.

It is understood that over two hundred people attended. The man who convened the meeting was a Mr. Steve Perkins, a local resident who lives near the proposed site on the poacher's meadow development. Mr. Perkins is reported to have said he was trying to be even handed about the issue but critics suggest his comments were those of a man opposed to the proposal. To Mr. Perkins credit he certainly was very effective in getting people to attend, even if his presentational style was not too good, unfortunately several people walked out after a about twenty minutes.

The meeting had a very lively atmosphere and on a number of occasions Cllr. John Evens, attending of the Parish Council's behalf, provided clarifications and explained to his best ability the Parish Councils position.

A number of key points were raised during the meeting by the residents.

1. The issue of noise pollution which does not seem to have been covered in the proposal in any detail, deciduous trees will eventually reduce noise as they mature, but this is only when the are in leaf during the summer months, not winter when rugby is played.

2. The issue of traffic turning out of Lodge Lane.

3. Planning creep; the potential for future change of use for residential use.

4. The current West Lindsey District Council Planning Notification states that residents should register any concerns by the Wednesday, 11th November 2009. Ian Dickinson at the district council's planning services has said that submission will be accepted up to the meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday, 6th January 2010.

6. It was observed that the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting in held in July, which resulted in a poor turnout, could have been publicised more widely. Local residents reported that not many people knew about the meeting on Wednesday, 25th November 2009 until Mr. Perkins notices which were hand delivered to homes in Nettleham. It was felt that putting up notices throughout the village was not sufficient.

7. Those present were asked to complete a short questionnaire indicating there support or opposition to the proposal. After the meeting closed at around 9:00pm Mr. Perkins indicated that around 92% of respondents attending the meeting were against the proposal.

What is clear following this meeting is that interest in this issue has been galvanized. The Parish Council has therefore decided to move the venue of their meeting to the larger Village Hall for the meeting on Wednesday, 25th November 2009.

A video package of the public meeting organised by local resident Mr. Steve Perkins on 3rd November 2009 is available here.

Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update 3

Update to Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update 2 Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update and Oposition to the Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises.
Ian Dickinson of West Lindsey District Council Planning department has stated comments regarding the Lincln Rugby Football Club's planning permission application that are received from residents will be taken in up until the date of the Planning Committee which is eidely expected to be the Planning Committee's meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 6th January 2010.

Mr. Dickinson has also requested that the Parish Council’s comments be received as soon after the Parish Council meeting on Monday, 14th December 2009 so that they can be included in his report to the Planning Committee.

In another development the Lincolnshire Echo (here)has a piece regarding last night's public meeting at the village hall and quotes President of Lincoln Rugby Football Club Bill Green as saying:

"We addressed several concerns at a previous public meeting that was called by the parish council.

"We've seen the flier going round and they seem to have only selected certain points from the planning application.

"We think the over-spill car park will be used once in a blue moon, we don't think we'll be getting 375 supporters to each game - that is a nonsense.

"As far as traffic goes, the RFU handbook gives directions of how to get to each club and away teams will be directed along a route that does not go through Nettleham. As many of the teams we play won't know the area they will follow RFU directions.

"We have also pointed out the benefits that if we use the ground it won't be developed for housing for 100 years which is a positive for the village and we are planning on planting 4.65 acres of woodland for general use."

Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilies - Update 2

Update to Opposition to Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises - Update and Opposition to the Lincoln Rugby Club Mobilises.
The Residents Meeting at Nettleham Village Hall seemed to be well attended, from what I observed prior to the meeting, before I had to go and attend the Parish Council's Property Committee Meeting, there seemed to be around 100 residents - a full house - turned out by the time I left.

I spoke to Mr. Steven Perkins, who seemed to be responsible for organising the meeting, and he informed me that one of his main concerns was, in his view, the anti-democratic way meetings had been organised relating to the Rugby Club's proposals.

Mr. Perkins is reported in the Lincolnshire Echo to have said:

"I am not against such a development but no village in the East Midlands, let alone Lincolnshire, should be subject to its peace, tranquility, reputation and character being put in jeopardy.

"There are many open spaces away from villages that will accommodate this development."