Wrong map led to fears for wood
FEARS Bourne Wood may have been targeted for development once again have been eased.
Friends of Bourne Wood became concerned after South Kesteven District Council published a consultation document including a proposal to allocate land for a leisure park development.
A map included in the consultation, published on the district council's website, showed the site would have included part of Bourne Wood.
But after The Local took the Friends' concerns to the council, officials revealed the map was wrong and have redrawn it.
South Kesteven District Council is consulting the public on the potential use of 41 plots of land in the district.
They were suggested by developers and individuals. After the consultation the district council may include some of the sites in its local development framework which guides development in the area.
One of the 41 sites was put forward by Bourne town councillor Helen Powell
Coun Powell suggested allocating land near Bourne Wood for a leisure park.
However when the council consultation documents were published on the internet, the proposed site included part of the wood.
Coun Powell said she was pleased the leisure park plan was still being consulted on
She said: "It would be a big magnet for the town, but they didn't check any of the boundaries with me before going ahead with this. They have included far too much land within it and I don't want people to get the wrong idea."
She believes a leisure park could include a dry ski slope, a fishing lake and winter skate rink as well as a lakeside hotel, conference centre, restaurant and self-catering lodges.
Ayla Smith, a Friends of Bourne Wood committee member, is relieved the proposals do not include the wood any more but still has concerns about the potential impact of a leisure park near the wood.
She said: "The key thing is that whatever happens, there needs to be a buffer zone down the side of the wood to protect the wildlife.
"We can't say what impact this development could have on the wood at the moment as there are no further details. This is quite worrying."
South Kesteven District Council's planning policy and partnerships service manager Karen Sinclair said: "As with all the sites being consulted on there has not yet been any assessment or decision taken on the suitability of the site for the use proposed or whether it would be a viable and deliverable proposal.
"The boundary had been incorrectly shown on the map included in the consultation document and we have now published a revised version of the map on our website and will be also providing copies to the area offices and libraries for inclusion with the consultation documents already sent to them.
"The consultation document acknowledges that this particular site is adjacent to an ancient woodland - there is no intention that the ancient woodland area will be redeveloped.
"As part of the assessment of this site, or any other suggested site, one of the criteria we would assess would be the impact of development on sites of conservation interest."
A detailed assessment of the suitability of each site will be prepared and then the district council will consider which sites to includes its local development framework, which guides development in the district until 2026.
To comment on the sites or find out more visit http://southkesteven-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/sa/sa2010.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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