Vistry Homes and Jelson Homes have submitted a revised planning application to South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) to enable 50 new homes to be occupied at the North West Grantham development while the planned highways improvements for the A1/A52 junction are progressed with National Highways.
SKDC Planning Committee previously refused an application to amend this pre occupation trigger to allow 150 homes to be occupied in April 2024 due to concerns about the safety and capacity of the junction and timing for the improvement works. This new submission follows ongoing discussions with National Highways in relation to the A1/A52 Junctions and their current operational capacities
At the same time and as a result of further technical discussions with National Highways, a revised design for the A1/A52 southbound (eastern) junction works will be submitted to SKDC for approval. This revision includes a minor amendment to the proposed junction alignment. It does not alter the principles of the improvements previously approved.
Once the relevant technical and planning approvals are received from National Highways and SKDC the Junction works can be undertaken and will include significant improvements to the junction capacity through the provision of additional road space, traffic lights and other measures. Vistry Homes and Jelson Homes recognise the need for highways improvements around the A1/A52 junction, and are committed to delivering these improvements as quicky as possible
As part of this commitment further detailed investigative work have been planned to help ensure the improvements can commence at pace once National Highways and SKDC approvals are received.
This investigation work, primarily involving the A52 Junctions and A1 slip roads, is expected to commence on the 16th September for a period of three weeks. These works will take place overnight, between the hours of 8pm and 6am, to limit any disruption to road users.
Given progress with National Highways in relation to the junction works taking far longer than anticipated, it has also become necessary to review construction activities being carried out on the site. Vistry and Jelson remain committed to meeting local housing needs and don’t want to leave one of the main gateways into Grantham unfinished, however the broad timescales indicated by National Highways to secure the relevant approvals means it has become necessary to suspend construction activities until such time as these new applications can be determined
Some 30 people are currently employed in constructing the Vistry Kings Newton development, including skilled tradespeople who live in the local community. While a skeleton team will remain on site, Vistry staff will be redeployed to other developments in the region and those team members who are employed by our subcontractors will need to wait to resume work until such time as a planning application is approved. A significant number of people could be employed if construction was fully operational.
In the meantime, the site will be made safe and secure until such time as activities can be resumed and both Vistry Homes and Jelson Homes remain committed to working with the Council and National Highways to ensure these improvements commence as soon as possible.
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