SUCH GENEROSITY! FIRM BEHIND 152-HOME SCHEME OFFERS TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION OF TWO NEW BUS STOP SHELTERS

THE  firm behind a proposed 152-home development on farm fields in Laceby has offered  to chip in with £12,000 to install  shelters at two existing bus stops within the village.

It says it is also willing to make  a contribution of £8,000 towards the introduction of 'real time' bus arrival information

This is on top of more substantial sums Humberside Land Developers Ltd (or its clients) will be legally obliged to cough up as a contribution to schooling of the many young people who will be growing up on the new estate planned for the site which is located off Field Head Road.

The project has attracted intense opposition from the parish council and villagers residents who fear it will increase pressure on roads and other infrastructure.

Also unhappy is pig farmer Jon Starkey who fears incomers will protest about noise, smell and flies from his business which has been running for 58 years.

However, North East Lincolnshire Council approved the application in the belief that many new homes are required within the borough.

One disappointing feature of the consent  is that none of the planning conditions provides, at least in any specific way,  for creation of wildlife habitat to replace that which will be lost - to the detriment of songbirds, butterflies and other creatures.

This is on the basis of an ecology assessment, commissioned (and paid for) by the developer, which states that there are "no habitats or plants of national or local importance on the site, nor is the nature of the proposals and extent of development proposed likely to generate any significant impacts, directly or indirectly on valuable ecological receptors".

According to NELC's planning case officer Richard Limmer, there is "no reason to disagree with this finding".

Impartial ecologists - and  planning officers with a better understanding of the importance of biodiversity - might take a different view.