Delivering thousands of homes in Grantham will need partnerships with developers and a range of other organisations, says council leader Kelham Cooke.

The leader of South Kesteven District Council reported on the housing ambitions of his council at a conference this afternoon, organised by the developer Larkfleet.

He spoke of the council adopting its South Kesteven Local Plan, which seeks to deliver 650 homes a year by 2036 - or 14,000 homes within that period.

Coun Cooke said this represented an increase of nearly a quarter of homes in the district and was a challenge the council could not do alone.

He told Larkfleet: "As a partner, we bring to the table the

ability to create the right environment within which you can thrive and prosper. "You bring to the table your considerable skills, knowledge, and expertise to turn the opportunity we create into reality." Recent years have seen housing growth in South Kesteven, helped by partners like Larkfleet, with 729 new house completions in 2019/20- the highest for more than a decade. He continued: "Our support for key proposed developments in Grantham, including the garden village at Spitalgate, and our partnership with Burghley in Stamford to bring forward a fabulous and exemplar mixed-use development at St Martin's Park, are just two examples of exciting potential within our district." Coun Cooke accepted the pandemic would have an impact, but SKDC was working with partners in the public and private sector to unlock "potential barriers to economic and housing growth." This mean looking at wider issues too, like utilities, healthcare, schools, the road and rail network, which also meant working with other organisations. Senior officers from the council were working with others from Lincolnshire County Council and Homes England on an action plan to secure external investment to unlock growth within Grantham. "This group – which I hope will expand to include more partners – is particularly focused on the huge opportunity to deliver 8,000 homes and a range of commercial developments and community facilities to the south of Grantham, within Spitalgate Heath Garden Village, and the

Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.

"Naturally, we also have our sights set on progressing developments in the north west of the town."

He continued: "If we are successful in our multi-million-pound bid to the Government's Future High Streets Fund, plans to regenerate Grantham town centre will accelerate even faster, putting Grantham well and truly on the map as a thriving and prosperous market town that attracts innovation and success."

Coun Cooke again looked to Larkfleet to 'partner with us' and said the council last year created a Special Projects Team, to advance the progress of major developments.

SKDC had also enlisted consultants to review the structure and culture of its current planning system to ensure it reflects these ambitions, including support "high-quality engagement with developers."

Coun Cooke also spoke of housing affordability, saying this has increased in South Kesteven to be among the highest in the East Midlands at 8.4 times the average wage, with Stamford the worst affected.

Affordability was important for key workers and young people especially, allowing them to remain in the areas they grew up in.

This was why SKDC is talking to a number of national and international groups to deliver affordable housing on a variety of tenures in St Martin's Park.

It was also why SKDC has a programme to deliver council homes across South Kesteven.

Coun Cooke added September would mark the anniversary of his first year as council leader, which the following month will see SKDC issue it's Corporate Plan.

He concluded: "It would not be appropriate for me to share details of our Corporate Plan yet, but I hope it will come as no surprise that housing for all our residents and economic growth is very much at the forefront of our ambitions."