Minutes - Full Council - 13 January 2026
Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 13th January 2026, 7pm
Present: Councillors P Adey, C Broad, C Callan, S Manders, V Marden, D Nash, K Trought and N Watkinson
In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles
District Councillor Dave Nash was in attendance
County Councillor and District councillor Cawrey was in attendance
No members of public were in attendance
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR– Cllr Cawrey reported on the budget consultation and the Fairer Funding for Lincolnshire campaign.
REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Nothing to report.
QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – No questions.
COUNCIL SESSION
Code of conduct reminders
Nolan Principles
Members were reminded of the Nolan Principles which underpin the Council’s Code of Conduct - Selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty & leadership.
Register of interests
The Chairman reminded members that they should submit to the Monitoring Officer at North Kesteven District Council any changes to the content of their Register of Member Interest forms. Interests should be declared in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
26000. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE - It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Emes.
It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Barr.
26001. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Trought declared an other registerable interest in relation to planning application 25/1574/HOUS due to the proximity to her home address.
b. TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDING ORDERS – Nil
26002. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 2nd DECEMBER 2025 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd December 2025 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.
26003. FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
a. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS – The following report on payments made between meetings was accepted - Direct debit payments for December 2025 and payments made between meetings including the return of deposits to facility hirers. All reports can be downloaded - https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/january-2026/2.
b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS – It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 26003b be approved. All reports can be downloaded - https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/january-2026/2.
c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That 463-465 and savings account to 30th November 2025 be accepted and signed by Cllr Adey. Bank balances on 30th November were reported as: Current Account - £260,357.87 savings as £148,372.85
d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – A written report was given. No concerns raised.
26004. TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – The following items were noted:
- Parking on Grantham Road – Officers to write to Cllr Cawrey to request additional ‘no-waiting signage’
- Street naming – The suggestion from NKDC regarding the use of names from Bomber Command memorials was agreed; the council to request that names from local squadrons be prioritised.
- Tennis courts at the Recreation Ground – officers to respond accordingly.
26005. PLANNING
a. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –
25/1547/HOUS – 64A RIDGEVIEW ROAD – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council had no comments or objections.
25/1574/HOUS – 12 HILLMAN CLOSE – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council had no comments or objections.
b. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATION 25/1585/OUT – LAND EAST OF CANWICK AVENUE
Cllr Nash abstained from commenting and voting on the item.
It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council objects to the application on the following grounds:
Phasing
The site falls within Phase 3 of the South East Quadrant (SEQ) Broad Concept Plan and Design Code, yet Phase 2 has not been delivered or even applied for. Advancing Phase 3 ahead of earlier phases risks undermining the infrastructure-led approach required by Policy S68 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan which specifically states that ‘development of an urban extension must be planned and implemented in a coordinated way, through an agreed broad concept plan that is linked to the timely delivery of key infrastructure’. If this application is approved in principle prior to application and delivery of phase 2, explicit phasing and infrastructure triggers will need to be incorporated into the s106 agreement to ensure that the co-ordinated and infrastructure led requirements of policy S68 are secured.
Infrastructure Delivery and Capacity
Education: Although the applicant claims secondary school capacity exists, the proposed secondary school for SEQ is not yet delivered. Bringing forward 683 dwellings could strain existing schools, contrary to Policy S45 (Strategic Infrastructure Requirements).
Healthcare: The application acknowledges that local GP surgeries are already under pressure and relies on future financial contributions for a Primary Care Hub. There is no guarantee of timely delivery, risking adverse impacts on health provision.
Retail and Community Facilities: The Retail Capacity Assessment admits that demand for a smaller convenience store is not likely to be met until 2033/2034 and the viability of a larger food store is not likely until well beyond 2040. This will mean that residents will lack local services for many years, increasing car dependency.
The applicant believes that existing provision and capacity would cope with the premature development of phase 3. However, the issue of local service and retail provision is not isolated to capacity alone, it is compounded by the physical access required to the centre of Bracebridge Heath village. The travel plan notes that there is a 25-minute walk from the centre of the site to the Co-op pharmacy and food store. It is very unlikely that occupants of the development will walk for nearly an hour (home to store and back again) to pick up some milk or a prescription for example. Residents will drive to the village centre to access the local services and retail (doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, post office, shops, hairdressers and takeaways) and this will lead to an unacceptable number of vehicles trying to access and park in the centre of the village, which is already extremely busy at peak times.
Transport and Connectivity Issues
The Transport Assessment relies on future SEQ-wide improvements and contributions to a Sustainable Transport Measures Scheme, but these are not yet implemented. Without these, the development risks car-dominated travel patterns, contrary to Policy S47 and S69. Bus services are currently limited, and the nearest stops are over 1 km away, failing to meet accessibility standards for sustainable transport. Two bus routes noted in the travel plan are school bus provision only.
There are no dedicated cycle routes locally; reliance on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass cycleway (2.5 km away) is inadequate for everyday trips. Further, the travel assessment (4.19) states that the ‘topography of the local highway network is generally appropriate for confident cyclists’. This assessment fails to take into account the two steep hills that connect Bracebridge Heath to Lincoln city. Cross O’ Cliff Hill has an average gradient of 5.5% and a maximum gradient of 12.7% which is considered very demanding for even an experienced cyclist. Cycling ability aside, the road network is not suitable for safe cycling with no cycle routes available. Parish Council considers that improvements to the local highways and the creation of dedicated cycleways should be frontloaded and be in place before the completion of phase 3.
CLLP Policy S68 - ‘Alongside the timely delivery of necessary infrastructure, key to the sustainable delivery of the urban extensions will be the requirement to minimise the need to travel, whilst maximising sustainable transport modes. This will be achieved by locating key facilities such as schools and local shops within easy walking and cycling distance of most properties, incorporating high quality walking and cycling networks linking to the wider area, and providing access to high quality public transport services and facilities...’ The application does not comply with this requirement. As demonstrated in the council’s comments above regarding transport and infrastructure, this application fails to show how local shops, schools and other key facilities are within easy walking or cycling distance.
Vehicular access and the roundabout
The Transport Assessment assumes future SEQ-wide improvements to vehicular and sustainable travel options. However, the applicant does not demonstrate that the roundabout can safely accommodate cumulative traffic from Phases 1, 2, and 3 plus construction traffic. The travel assessment does not robustly assess the interaction and impact of the roundabout and increase in traffic from the development with the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and the B1188 junction. In particular, turning right at the B1188 junction at Mill Lodge to reach the Lincoln Eastern Bypass is already very difficult due to the constant stream of traffic traveling into Lincoln down Canwick Hill. The design and layout of the roundabout also does not take into account the high approach speeds from the B1131 which could increase the risk of collision at peak times. The roundabout and associated highway alterations lack the required pedestrian crossings to enable residents to cross to the west or north side of Canwick Avenue, which will in time provide access to the district centre (proposed at phase 2) and the future school.
The applicant states that that delivery of the SEQ is already behind schedule. However, approving this phase does not guarantee accelerated delivery. Bringing forward this phase of the SEQ prematurely risks creating an isolated enclave without the District Centre or employment land, undermining the vision for a “distinctive place to live” as defined in CLLP Policy S69.
Housing density
Whilst the total number of dwellings may not be covered until a reserved matters application is brought forward, the council wishes to note that the applicant has not convincingly demonstrated how 683 dwellings can be accommodated within the site boundary whilst remaining compliant with the CLLP and South East Quadrant (SEQ) Broad Concept Plan and Design Code. The number of dwellings is significantly higher than the advertised number when the site was purchased – which was 640 dwellings. The housing density is much higher than any in the vicinity. 13.98 hectares are allocated to 683 houses. This equates to 48.85 houses per hectare; a town density not a village/suburb density.
Parish Council does not believe that this site can comfortably accommodate 683 dwellings and this appears to have been achieved by compromising the quality of development. The draft layout contained in the Design and Access documents shows a very tightly packed site with inappropriately placed green spaces and play areas (next to SUDs, crossroads or the main access roundabout). The draft layout shows insufficient usable open space for recreation purposes 5.09 hectares is allocated but this includes the 3 large SUDs and drainage swales which are not suitable for recreation. Further, on-plot parking is predominantly at the front of properties to increase housing density, rather than the inclusion of driveways or side parking, which will result in a claustrophobic feeling to the site, more akin to a car forecourt than a residential development.
Separation of Bracebridge Heath from the new development
The layout of the development and the placement of the roundabout results in a lack of separation between Bracebridge Heath and the new ‘Canwick Heath’. This is shown in the SEQ Broad Concept Plan as the southern green corridor which would include open space with woodland planting. This is also a key aspect of the South East Quadrant in the CLLP – ‘extension of the existing green infrastructure network into multi-functional movement networks linking land uses, facilities and amenities which avoids the coalescence of the new community with Bracebridge Heath and Canwick village’.
Bracebridge Heath Parish Council must object to this outline application on the above grounds and requests that further assessment is carried out before this application is determined by NKDC. Should NKDC be minded to approve this application, Parish Council would like to see enhanced contributions made that would bring forward phase 2 infrastructure both financially and physically delivered on the ground to ensure that local services are front loaded.
In summary, Bracebridge Heath Parish Council believes that the premature phasing will detrimentally impact residents of Bracebridge Heath through the inundation of local services and the inevitable reliance on cars for access to and from the development. The application fails to demonstrate how this development contributes to the creation of a sustainable new neighbourhood, brought forward coherently as a whole together with the rest of the SEQ. Instead, it risks the vision of the SEQ through piecemeal growth rather than considered place-making.
c. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – A written report was received.
26006. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY – Item considered in alternative order to agenda.
The following report was made and accepted:
- Payments made as reported at item 4a.
- Credit card statements for December 2025
26007. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS
a. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Draft notes of the meeting were accepted.
b. EVENTS WORKING GROUP - It was RESOLVED: That the Events Working Group be permitted to organise the future events as listed in the report, officers already having delegated authority to spend up to the budgeted limits prescribed in Financial Regulations. Costs and plans for Remembrance Sunday traffic management to be shared with the council for decision making.
26008. TO CONSIDER NOMINATION OF A COUNCILLOR TO JOIN THE EVENTS WORKING GROUP - It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Watkinson be appointed to the Events Working Group
26009. TO CONSIDER NOMINATION OF A COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE HEATH SURGERY PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP - No nomination made. However, council agreed to work closely with the PPG and support the proposed wellbeing days.
26010. TO CONSIDER A COMMITMENT TO THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT – It was RESOLVED: That the council commits to the covenant in principle; Cllrs Emes and Nash to lead.
26011. TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO OFFER CPR TRAINING – It was RESOLVED: That the council accepts the proposal with an initial budget of £150, Cllr Adey to lead and work with officers to arrange.
26012. TO CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING IN 2026 – It was RESOLVED: That an Annual Parish Meeting be held on 03 March 2026 at 6.30pm at The Heath: Village Hall & Library.
26013. WAR MEMORIAL
- TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR REPAIR OF THE WAR MEMORIAL – It was RESOLVED: That delegated authority is given to officers to accept one of the quotes subject to: the grant funding process and any requirements placed on applicants of the NKDC Heritage Fund; and the recommendation and preference of the Conservation Officers from NKDC regarding the repair methods proposed by each company.
- TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION TO NKDC FOR GRANT FUNDING – It was RESOLVED: That officers are permitted to submit an application to the NKDC Heritage Fund.
- TO AUTHORISE OFFICERS TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR PLANNING APPROVAL (IF REQUIRED) – It was RESOLVED: That officers are permitted to submit a planning application on behalf of the council to seek permission to repair the Grade II listed War Memorial and are authorised to spend up to £200 on the application fee should it be necessary.
26014. TO CONSIDER THE COUNCIL’S BUDGET AND PRECEPT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2026/2027 – It was RESOLVED: That the recommendation from the Personnel committee to set the staffing budget at £104,329 for 2026/27 be accepted.
It was RESOLVED: That the council’s budget for 2026/27 is set at £260,729; the precept requirement to be sent to North Kesteven District Council being £218,318. The budget and precept was set and based on a draft tax base of £1943.63, which amounts to £112.32 per year for a Band D property; an increase of £5.34 per year or 4.99%.
26015. TO NOTE COUNCILLOR VACANCIES AND CONSIDER CO-OPTION APPLICATIONS – Vacancies following disqualification of Ms Carr and Mr Moran were noted. The council is able to co-opt to two vacancies; and a third is subject to any valid and sufficient requests to hold an election.
26016. TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – Action plan / risk register
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:23
Signed___________________________Chairman
03 February 2026