Opposition to a planned housing development on the edge of a village near Grantham cannot be defended at an appeal, says a council report.

Members of the South Kesteven District Council's planning committee have received the stark warning after the council sought legal advice over their earlier decision to oppose the project on land east of Low Road, Barrowby.

In July, the committee voted it was 'minded' to refuse the application for 49 homes on the 2ha site from the Platform Housing Group at the reserved matters stage.

Members argued the development would be contrary to their local plan, the scheme had no masterplan for the area and it was not in accordance with the outline plans.

The development included 22 shared ownership homes and 27 classed as "affordable" rent.

But as Nub News also reported, the plans submitted by Lincolnshire County Council had been given outline approval in May 2019.

However, a council report prepared for the next meeting of SKDC's planning committee, which will be next Wednesday, November 25, says the council sought legal advice considering the prospects of success on appeal.

The report said: "The Counsel advice received by the Council concludes that neither reason for refusal would be sustainable upon appeal and it is likely that a costs award would be granted in favour of the appellant on appeal."

It explained that the amount of affordable housing (100 per cent) lies within the scope of the outline planning application.

"The layout and house types submitted have been subject to consultation, with no statutory objections.

"Further, the site layout proposed would not be considered unacceptable had it been

considered to comply with the Development Plan as a whole."

Therefore, the council would also be unable to defend at appeal arguments concerning the lack of a masterplan.

The report thus concluded: "Reasons advanced would not be substantial enough and are not supported by robust evidence for the authority to easily defend a decision to refuse planning permission through an appeal."

Therefore, members are again recommended to approve the scheme, as originally advised by council planning staff, subject to conditions.