Leisure park scheme

Housing threat to Bourne Wood

The only acceptable development in the immediate vicinity of Bourne Wood is a leisure park.
- Councillor Helen Powell

Photo courtesy The Local newspaper

Early in 2008, a local councillor, Mrs Helen Powell, issued a statement suggesting that housing development was planned which would infringe on the aspect of Bourne Wood to the north-east of the town. This was a serious issue, she said, and appealed to the public to take action now in an attempt to prevent any building which would impair either access or environmental damage to a much loved amenity.

The statement from Councillor Powell, a member of Bourne Town Council, was as follows:

I believe that plans are being drawn up for residential development on land between Bourne Wood and Beech Avenue with the building of a relief road and more houses directly where people now have access via the Forestry Commission entrance, thus cutting off the people of Bourne from the wood itself. In addition, the legendary Blind Well is situated on this site which would be affected by such development.

There is a better option which would make this area from the back of Beech Avenue to the farm buildings and beyond going out towards Cawthorpe, and that is to use this area for leisure activities which would be more in keeping with the location, perhaps even a smaller version of the Ferry Meadows feature at Peterborough. English Nature would no doubt assist in providing information on the benefits and schools could be involved in setting up nature reserves. We owe it to the people of Bourne to provide such facilities for all to enjoy in keeping with the peace and tranquillity of the existing woods.

A relief road is under consideration for the A15 through Bourne, routed on the east side of the Al5 from Cawthorpe to Meadow Drove, taking all the heavy traffic and fumes away from the town centre, thus reducing the current health risks to shoppers, particularly women, children and elderly people. The land behind Beech Avenue stretching towards Cawthorpe could in the years to come, be developed for many attractions, perhaps a small fishing/boating lake (over the Blind Well area), a dry ski slope for children, built with the excavations from the lake, picnic tables, a metalled pathway around the lake with access from the wood and Beech Avenue for the many wheelchair users, that already enjoy the freedom of the woods via the woodland entrance and access for emergency vehicles. A Swiss-style lakeside hotel with restaurant could be built overlooking the stunning views of the marvellous western sky sunsets over the pine woods, with self catering lodges built in the landscaped wooded area around the lake. Such a development would widen the appeal of the woods and town and perhaps we could once again host the famous Lincolnshire speed skating championships during the winter months and even have an outdoor skating rink. Let’s aim now at being self-sufficient . . . and use less oil travelling.

These plans may seem ambitious but they are possible with your support. So, it’s up to you. How do you see Bourne will be in the future? We need the space preserving now, so we must prevent housing from infringing on the existing Bourne Wood , better a relief road to the east of the A15. Please give this some thought and then take a moment to fill in the enclosed letter to the council for consideration when any planning application is submitted for any scheme that will cause harm to the environment of Bourne. SKDC says: “Your town, your street, your say . . .” - so where’s your pen, please?

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to make your views known by signing the attached letter and posting it or sending it on to me to be taken to the council in order that they may inform you of any future planning application. This is for your, your children and your children’s children.
Many thanks

Mrs. Helen N.J. Powell
6 Westwood Drive, Bourne PE10 9QH

Mrs Powell also issued the draft of a letter to the Development Control Services Planning Department at South Kesteven District Council in Grantham, the planning authority responsible for this area, asking residents to sign it for forwarding to the authority. The letter said:

Dear Sir

I wish to lodge my objection to any proposed relief road or housing development between the wood and Bourne town on the north western side.
I understand that this land is still classed as “agricultural” and that no planning permission has yet been granted. However, there are concerns for its future.
This quiet, peaceful area is in daily use by many local residents and visitors who enjoy access from Beech Avenue for walks, rides, picnics etc., in the woodland and that access alone is the only one available from the town for easy use by the disabled and that wheelchair users can manage independently to enjoy the woods. Many mothers also use it with push chairs for their children and youngsters on cycles.
An access road through the site must be out of the question because that land also contains the legendary Blind Well which is part of Bourne‘s history while residential development would cut off the site from visitors.
I wish to be listed as an interested party if any planning application is submitted for the site and to be present or represented at any subsequent meetings at which the application will be considered.

Yours sincerely

________________________(Signature)

WRITTEN 17th JANUARY 2008

Sketch courtesy Helen Powell