Residents of Bardney, a village in Lincolnshire, are voicing their concerns as plans for 117 new homes off David Todd Way move forward. According to Lincolnshire Live, work on the new housing estate is set to begin in the coming weeks, but many locals feel that the village is already struggling to accommodate its current population without additional facilities.
Chestnut Homes has submitted proposals for the new development on Manor Farm, which has already received outline planning permission. However, community members are worried that the existing infrastructure, particularly healthcare and local services, cannot support the influx of new residents. Christine Vincent, a local resident, expressed her frustrations in an objection to the application, highlighting the difficulty in securing medical appointments. "As it stands, it is almost impossible to get an appointment with a doctor, and if you need a blood test, you are looking at 3-4 weeks notice needed," she stated.
Another resident echoed these sentiments, pointing out the limited number of shops and the overwhelmed surgery. "We need the housing, but we need better facilities too," they said. A long-time Bardney resident reflected on the changes she has witnessed over the past two decades, noting, "We’ve just not got the facilities, but it seems like we’re not going to be able to stop it."
The proposed estate will be located alongside the Viking Way, a scenic 150-mile footpath that runs through Lincolnshire, which adds to the village's appeal. However, concerns remain about the impact of increased traffic on local roads. Resident Benjamin Mannion raised alarms about the potential for over 250 additional vehicles, warning of serious implications for road safety, congestion, and emergency access. "This raises serious concerns regarding road safety, increased congestion, restricted emergency access, and a decline in residents’ quality of life due to noise and pollution," he wrote in his objection.
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Chestnut Homes stated that the development would feature a variety of one- to five-bedroom homes, including bungalows, and aims to provide options for local people looking to enter the housing market. To alleviate disruption, construction traffic is planned to access the site via a separate route off Horncastle Road.
As the village prepares for this new development, residents continue to advocate for improvements to essential services to ensure that Bardney can accommodate its growing population without compromising the quality of life for existing residents. The community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard as plans move forward.
What do you think Bardney needs most to support its growth – more homes or better facilities?