Council insists site boundary is no ‘Berlin Wall’

Retired residents fear a new council housing development will loom over their homes.
Spriggs Close residents John Armstrong (Left) and Peter Cole. Unhappy about the housing development behind their homes. EMN-210429-124256001Spriggs Close residents John Armstrong (Left) and Peter Cole. Unhappy about the housing development behind their homes. EMN-210429-124256001
Spriggs Close residents John Armstrong (Left) and Peter Cole. Unhappy about the housing development behind their homes. EMN-210429-124256001

Peter Cole and John Armstrong are among several residents of Spriggs Close, off King Edward Street in Sleaford, whose homes are overlooked by a new scheme by North Kesteven District Council to build 12 houses and bungalows in a cul-de-sac linked by a new road skirting the northern edge of the Grantham Road public car park.

The site was formerly occupied by an agricultural chemical company warehouse and planning permission was granted in 2019.

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Mr Cole and Mr Armstrong say they are not objecting to the building of the homes, but are concerned that the level of the land is raised by so much that it is virtually level with the top of their six foot garden fence. If the new householders border their homes with a similar size fence, the Spriggs Close residents say their rear windows and small gardens could be overshadowed by an 11 or 12 foot expanse of wood panels.

Spriggs Close resident Peter Cole says he will be faced with a 11-12ft expanse of fence looming over his home and garden. EMN-210429-124308001Spriggs Close resident Peter Cole says he will be faced with a 11-12ft expanse of fence looming over his home and garden. EMN-210429-124308001
Spriggs Close resident Peter Cole says he will be faced with a 11-12ft expanse of fence looming over his home and garden. EMN-210429-124308001

Mr Cole said: “We didn’t realise the site would be six feet higher than we are. From my bedroom window I can see nothing and it will block out light. We will be trapped behind something like the Berlin Wall.”

He has sought support from his landlord, Longhurst Housing Association, but has so far been unsuccessful. He suggested the garden boundaries could be merged via a more gradual slope and single fence.

A Longhurst Group spokesperson said: “We’ve spoken with our customer and have arranged to meet with him to further understand his concerns.”

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A North Kesteven District Council spokesperson claimed there would be no second fence, but did not explain how the extreme variation in ground level could be overcome: “There’s no deviation away from the detail which was contained within the planning application, which depicts the existing boundary fence in place between the site and the homes adjacent to it and no new fencing in addition to this. We’ll keep these households up to date as development of the site progresses.”