Government declines to wade into bridge saga

The government will not intervene in a planning saga over a long-awaited bridge in Grantham.

Norwich Hub and Buckminster Estates agreed to build the Pennine Way bridge 15 years ago as part of plans for 750 new homes, but says it is no longer needed because of a new bypass.

In May, South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) rejected the developer's request to scrap the proposed bridge, subject to a referral to the housing secretary, who has now said she will not step in and the matter should be decided locally.

Stuart Bizley, of Norwich Hub, said: "We are of course disappointed in the decision and we are reviewing our options."

The bridge over the East Coast Main Line is designed to connect the Poplar Farm estate – where more than 670 homes have been built – to shops and an NHS centre at Great Gonerby.

Officers from SKDC previously recommended removing the bridge condition to encourage the remaining housing to be built and boost the council's five-year housing land supply.

But at a meeting in May, councillors said the bridge was a vital piece of infrastructure, which had been promised to residents.

Richard Davies, a Conservative county councillor representing Grantham West, believes the bridge should be built.

"We're not saying we don't want the houses. What we're saying is, if 15 years ago, in order to satisfy people that the housing development didn't cause too much of a detrimental impact, a bridge was required, why now wouldn't a bridge be required?"

He added: "I still think it won't be built, because all we're arguing about is whether or not they have can build any more houses."

SKDC said it now expected to issue a decision notice refusing Norwich Hub's request to cancel the bridge.

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