Hundreds of homes approved despite job concerns

Plans to build more than 250 homes and an 80-bedroom care home in Stamford will go ahead, despite concerns about the "long-term sustainability" of the town.

The Exeter Fields development, for agricultural land off Empingham Road, was approved by South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) at a meeting on Thursday.

Town councillor Barry Devereux was among opponents who argued the site should be retained for employment use, because more housing without job opportunities would threaten the viability of the town.

But Andrew McPheat, from applicant Commercial Estates Group said there was no "appetite or demand" to justify "a strategic employment site".

The plans cover a 22-acre site between a Taylor Wimpey housing estate and the A1, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Of the 268 homes, 80 would be "affordable" and there would be a local centre with shops and community buildings.

However, in 2012, Exeter Fields was set aside for industrial and commercial use. During the meeting, residents and councillors argued it should remain reserved for employment, noting Stamford's growing population.

Councillor Richard Cleaver, the cabinet member for property at SKDC, said the site was "completely irreplaceable" and allowing the application would deprive the town "of any employment opportunities within its boundaries forever".

The idea that a site so close to the A1 was unsuitable for employment was "frankly laughable", he added.

Mr McPheat said the landowners had spent 10 years marketing the site to potential occupiers, but had found no demand for it as an employment site.

He argued a local centre in the estate could create up to 155 direct and 78 indirect jobs.

Council planning officers acknowledged the concerns but warned that if developers were "not willing to develop" then the land could not be retained "indefinitely".

Councillor Helen Crawford backed the application, noting that "employment has changed", particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more people now working from home.

In total, nine committee members voted to approve the development while two voted against.

The proposal was put forward by Commercial Estates Group and the Cecil Estate Family Trust.

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