Plans for 40 homes on the site of a former school have been approved by councillors today.

Members of the planning committee of South Kesteven District Council made the decision this morning concerning the 1.3ha site off Queensway Avenue.

However, the scheme was opposed by former Grantham Mayor Ian Selby.

The Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Education and Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance had sought outline permission to redevelop the site which previously contained Priory Ruskin Academy.

The brownfield site lies vacant after the school was demolished around 2014 and plans were approved for an earlier housing scheme of 44 homes the following year.

As previously reported by Nub News , SKDC planning staff has recommended approval.

Committee members heard today from planning agent Lynette Swinburn said the proposal was on a brownfield site and similar to a proposal approved in 2015.

Grantham, she noted, was marked for top for growth in the district and the scheme would deliver affordable housing, as well as contributions towards education, healthcare and play area facilities.

However, Coun Ian Selby (Unaligned - Grantham Harrowby) called for a deferment on the decision, saying he had visited the site and found the entrance to it was narrow.

"This is a major development, backland development," he continued, and the site was last visited by a previous planning committee and it needed "a fresh set of eyes."

After further questions, planning staff replied the site was sustainable and close to facilities, including shops and a surgery.

Members approved the scheme by a large majority, but Coun Selby voted against with councillors Robert Reid (Con- Bourne Austerby) and Phil Dilks (Ind- Deeping St James) abstaining.