Planners are backing a scheme to build 16 'affordable' homes in a village north of Grantham.

The Solihull-based Platform Housing Group seeks to build the homes in a field on the edge of Claypole.

The developer seeks to build 2 one-bed homes, 8 two-bed homes and 6 three-ned homes, plus parking for 32 cars, on a 6100m2 site north of Doddington Road.

In its application to South Kesteven District Council, the company argued there was a need for small scale developments of affordable housing in the area, as previously reported by Nub News.

A report prepared for a meeting of the council's planning committee, which is due to consider the application on Thursday August 26, recommends approval.

The report noted how SKDC has been working with the developer on the scheme to deliver affordable housing and design changes have been made during the application process.

It also said: "The tenure has been agreed with the registered Housing Provider (Platform Housing Group) based on the evidence of local needs and affordability.

"In the first instance the affordable housing will be open to applicants with a direct local connection to Claypole, secondly to applicants with a direct connection to the north of the South Kesteven area and then open to other applicants with a connection to South Kesteven.

"All applicants to be in need of affordable housing and registered on the Council Housing Register."

The planning staff also commented: "Approval of this scheme will bring forward a 'housing development' which will not only benefit local applicants for affordable housing and support the local economy but will also

benefit the area as a whole and boost the housing completions for the district." However, Claypole Parish Council opposed the application, doubting a need for it and saying it was in the wrong place. Similarly, SKDC received 13 letters thirteen letters of objection, which said raised issues including overdevelopment of the site, there were no garages, no play area, plus there was a lack of capacity in school and local doctors and a lack of amenities in the village. They also said there were better sites for the scheme. However, after assessing the issues, council planning staff said the scheme would deliver 16 affordable homes with "no significant adverse impact on neighbouring amenity, the highway network or flood risk." They also concluded: "The design of the scheme is considered to be appropriate for its context and the proposed dwellings would meet a demonstrable local need for affordable housing. "The proposal is therefore considered to be in accordance with the development plan when taken as a whole and there are no material considerations that indicate why an alternative conclusion should be reached."