New Gainsborough Road 61-dwelling development will bring benefit to Market Rasen, says agent Peter Banks

Peter Banks, of Banks Long and Co, says that residents 
will be encouraged to walk into the town centre to shop, rather than get in their cars and drive elsewhere.

In addition to this, Mr Banks said that Market Rasen Church of England Primary School is set to benefit from additional land and extra funding from the county council.

Mr Banks said: “When people living in Market Rasen get in their cars, they have a choice to make.

“Do they drive to the centre of town to do their shopping, or do they carry on for twenty minutes to Lincoln?

“The centre of town is such a short walk away from the development site that new residents will not be tempted to use their cars and will support local businesses.”

Town councillors previously expressed concerns that the town’s facilities could not cope with an influx of people.

However, Mr Banks spoke of a need for more residents, which he says are reflected in the developments proposed for both Market Rasen and Caistor.

He said: “Market Rasen has everything that families need.

“There are many facilities, but not enough people to use them.”

Mr Banks also emphasised the ‘direct benefit’ to the school which would come about as a result of the Gainsborough Road development.

He said: “Any planning permission for housing development will normally attract obligations to contribute to local educational needs and health service needs.

“If planning permission is granted standard payments will be made to the education authority and to the NHS.

“However, I am advised by the County Council that in addition to the standard payment the school will receive a further share of the remaining proceeds due to 
the County Council.”

“In addition a strip of the scrub land is being transferred to the school and the boundary fence moved further west to be incorporated into their playing fields and they will have improved security along their northern boundary.”

The development, which was discussed at a planning meeting last month, did raise some concerns for Market Rasen town councillors.

Coun Stephen Bunney had particular fears for the capacity at the town’s doctors’ surgery, expressing uncertainty as to whether the surgery ‘could take’ an influx of people to the town.

Coun Bunney said: “The doctors’ surgery is already fairly full.

“Could the surgery take (the numbers of people from) this development, plus the number of other developments which are talked about?

“I don’t think the doctors’ surgery has the capacity.”

Coun Bunney also said that more homes would be ‘putting more pressure’ on the Mill Road playing field.

Coun Bunney added:“I would like to see a consideration for what could be done to enhance that area.

“It is very popular in the summer and I think 
it will be a key point for the town.”

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