Scaled down plans for housing in Castle Bytham will come before South Kesteven District councillors next week.

SKDC's planning committee is recommended to approve outline plans from Dr Dallas Burston for up to 81 homes across sites A and B, in the Old Quarry, off Station Road.

The scheme will be determined by the committee next Thursday as it is considered 'major.' The key issues include the principle of development, affordable and market housing need, impact on the character of the area and residential amenity, plus flooding risk and highways issues.

A report prepared by SKDC planning staff says the application site comprises a former limestone quarry to the west of Station Road and to the north of Clipsham Road in Castle Bytham.

Several previous planning permissions have been granted on the site, with the most recent and extant permission for 87 dwellings.

That permission includes this site and a nearby plot with a separate approval for 6 homes.

The report notes the application is an amended version of that originally submitted, which originally sought consent for up to 136 dwellings across the wider site.

It explained: "The number of proposed dwellings has been reduced from 136 to 81following concern from the public, consultees and officers that any increase in numbers would harm the nature and character of Castle Bytham and would not be policy compliant.

"The site area has also been reduced, to exclude part of the site adjacent to Station Road,that has permission for 6 dwellings, and has been sold to a 3rd party."

It continued: "Although the site benefits from outline permission with all matters reserved for the wider site, the time limit for submission of reserved matters has lapsed. This application now presents the opportunity to grant a renewed permission for the remaining parts of the site that have yet to be sold that is in accordance with current policy requirements and infrastructure needs. "

The report noted opposition from Castle Bytham Parish Council to the proposal for 136 homes saying they were many for the village, with an unacceptable density, and the homes putting increased pressure on infrastructure.

Little Bytham Parish Council gave similar reasons, including unacceptable impacts on infrastructure including primary school, highway capacity and wastewater network.

Therefore, Lincolnshire County Council (education) requested a developer contribution of £518,844 towards education provision, made up of £191,699 towards primary provision, £271,863 towards secondary provision and £55,282 towards sixth form places.

The NHS also sought £53,460 (£660 x 81 dwellings) as its Section 106 contribution.

The report also noted community consultation delivering five letters of objection. They said the scheme would generate extra traffic, noise and pollution, would put pressure on local services and harm wildlife, ecology and biodiversity.

Council officers noted the development would conflict with some planning policies, but noted the brownfield site already had planning approval and was 'deliverable and achievable.'

Therefore, subject to the details to be submitted at the Reserved Matters stage, the scheme was recommended for approval.