A proposal to create a garden village-style development of up to 4,000 homes on the site of Grantham's Prince William of Gloucester Barracks is an 'exciting' one for the town's future, according to county and district councillor Linda Wootten.

Last week Grantham Nub News revealed SKDC's plan for the site when it is released by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) from next year to support Government housing targets.

The local authority has amended its Local Plan 2011-2036 to propose a minimum of 3,500 to 4,000 homes, with about 1,775 anticipated to be built by 2036, plus eight hectares of employment-generating use, a new primary school, potentially a new secondary school, a 'community hub' with shops and 62 hectares of open space and woodland.

The document also reveals plans for a 'Health and Care Campus' which could employ around 1,100 full and part-time staff.

Linda Wootten, Conservative Lincolnshire County Councillor for Grantham East and SKDC councillor for Belmont ward, told Grantham Nub News: "I personally do not disagree with the idea of the barracks site being redeveloped along garden village principles.

"It is being afforded to Grantham for continued housing growth, which should be stimulated by the Grantham Southern Relief Road.

"Time seems to be the competition here - as to whether the Spitalgate Heath or barracks site is available first - but the combination of both areas would extend and change Grantham for ever."

Coun Wootten went on to say that both she and her Conservative district councillor husband Ray, who represents Grantham St Wulfram's, have both seen 'tremendous growth' in other areas although Grantham has 'remained on a slow burn'.

"We are not achieving our planned housing targets and the Garden Village prospect is an exciting one which the public would buy into.

"The NHS Long Term Plan with a Health and Care Campus is also a great idea if it materialises and addresses the needs of the expanding population.

"This would ideally release the current Grantham Hospital site, which is in a good location for more housing.

"Another valid point, as so often is the case, is I can hear the public say - infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure.

"Almost weekly Grantham is at a standstill due to accidents, or the sheer volume of traffic at peak times," she adds.

The Prince William of Gloucester Barracks site redevelopment proposal is subject to SKDC councillors adopting the Local Plan 2011-2036 and determination of planning application/s for the site.