A proposal to construct a 3G football pitch in Louth’s Wood Lane playfield has been unanimously dismissed by the East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee. The application, submitted by the council itself, intended to install an artificial grass pitch adjacent to the Meridian Leisure Centre. However, a group of impassioned campaigners, armed with banners and placards, made their voices heard outside the council offices in Horncastle on Thursday morning. The ‘Save Wood Lane’ group, led by James Timson, highlighted the fact that East Lindsey District Council ranks second from bottom for accessibility to large green spaces, according to data from Fields in Trust. Timson also voiced concerns about the proposed 4.5-metre-high solid wood fence, warning it could invite crime and antisocial behaviour. The sentiment was echoed by Louth town councillor Darren Hobson and district ward councillor George Horton, who both emphasised the community’s strong opposition to the development, citing potential noise and the loss of green space as key reasons. Despite revisions to the original application, including a reduction in pitch size and a smaller car park, the council ultimately voted to reject the proposal, agreeing that the chosen location was inappropriate.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
