Plans to revive stalled housing projects in Lincolnshire are gaining momentum, as reported by Lincolnshire Live. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the Mayor of Lincolnshire, is exploring how devolution funding can be harnessed to accelerate house-building across Greater Lincolnshire. This initiative aims to tackle the pressing need for more homes in the area, with hundreds of new properties potentially on the horizon.
During a recent meeting of council leaders on April 29, it was revealed that a list of stalled developments would be refined to identify the top five projects that could benefit from additional investment. Ruth Carver, chief executive of the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership, shared that they had initially gathered a list of 200 schemes. This was narrowed down to 100, then 50, all with a focus on projects that can be delivered within the next five years.
The collaboration aims to partner with Homes England to bring these selected schemes to life. According to the authority, approximately 29,000 homes are projected to be constructed in the next five years, with an additional 80,000 planned for the future. While the Mayor lacks direct planning powers to approve projects, her role is seen as crucial in uniting various stakeholders to facilitate these developments.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, emphasized the importance of ensuring that new homes are accompanied by adequate infrastructure. He noted that communities often feel frustrated when necessary infrastructure is not in place until after many homes have already been constructed. "We need to get developers who are prepared to invest, otherwise these places end up feeling like a work of fiction, not fact," he remarked.
In addition to housing, the mayoral authority is also advancing plans for a ‘veteran’s village’ aimed at supporting former armed forces members. This initiative has evolved from a single housing site into a series of homes integrated within existing communities. Currently, two confidential locations are being assessed for potential development.
As these plans unfold, the community is left to ponder the implications of new housing developments on local life. With the promise of more homes and infrastructure improvements, residents may find themselves discussing how these changes will shape the future of Lincolnshire.
What do you think about the plans for new housing in our community? How do you feel about the balance between development and infrastructure?