Community feedback
What local residents said
Before submitting the application, we carried out a consultation with the local community to understand priorities and gather feedback on topics such as housing, green space and local infrastructure.
Thank you to everyone who took part – with over 200 responses helping us build a clear picture of what matters most to the community.
We have carefully considered this feedback and refined the proposals to respond to these priorities. This includes:
- Significant green space – Around 45% of the site will be retained as open space, including areas for play, recreation and nature.
- Improved connections – New and enhanced walking and cycling routes linking the site to Baston village and local facilities.
- Highway safety improvements – Including enhancements to the existing pedestrian crossing on the A15 (Deeping Road) south of Maltby Drive, and a new crossing on Main Street near School Lane, improving access to the village and primary school.
- Refined landscape-led design – including widening of green space alongside the Public Right of Way to create a stronger green corridor and improve the setting of the route.
The feedback we received has played an important role in shaping the proposals, and we will continue to engage as the project progresses.
Below, we provide a summary of the key themes raised during our engagement, along with responses from our team.
Key themes
Impact on local infrastructure
We understand concerns about the capacity of local infrastructure, including schools, healthcare and utilities, to support new development. As part of the planning application, detailed assessments are carried out to understand existing capacity, and we are working closely with the District Council, County Council, Parish Council and service providers to identify any improvements that may be needed.
This could include financial contributions towards local schools and healthcare, improvements to walking and cycling connections, and potential enhancements to public transport. The development may also support new or improved green spaces, such as play areas, allotments or community spaces.
These improvements would be secured through a Section 106 agreement, a legal mechanism that ensures the necessary infrastructure and community benefits are delivered alongside the development.
Key themes
Scale of development
We recognise concerns about the scale of the development and its impact on the local area. The proposed number of homes reflects planning policy and the emerging Local Plan, which identifies this site as suitable for around 280 homes to help meet local housing needs.
The scale allows for a well-designed scheme with a mix of homes, including family and affordable housing, while ensuring that approximately 45% of the site remains undeveloped and is retained as open space. The proposals deliver in excess of policy and Local Plan standards for most open space typologies, incorporating a range of accessible and functional green spaces. These include five Local Areas for Play (LAPs), a Locally Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) with provision for older children and teenagers, and allotments, alongside new walking and cycling routes and informal green space. This approach also enables contributions towards local infrastructure and wider community benefits.
The proposals will continue to be refined as the project progresses, informed by feedback and ongoing discussions with the Council.
Key themes
Highways impact and traffic management
We understand concerns about the impact of the development on local roads, including Greatford Road, Deeping Road and Main Street. Detailed traffic assessments have been carried out to understand existing conditions and ensure any impacts are properly addressed.
This has informed changes to the proposals, including revised access points and new walking and cycling routes to support safer, more direct connections. Existing Public Rights of Way will be retained and enhanced, alongside improvements to pedestrian links within Baston.
The scheme will also deliver targeted offsite highways works, including an improved pedestrian refuge crossing on the A15 south of the Maltby Drive junction to enable safe access between the site and the settlement to the north east and a new refuge crossing on Main Street adjacent to School Lane. These enhancements will improve access to local amenities, particularly the Primary School and support increased use of active travel within the village.
A full Transport Assessment and Road Safety Audit have been submitted as part of the planning application and will be independently reviewed by the local highway authority.
Key themes
Impact on wildlife
We understand concerns about the impact on local wildlife. The proposals have been designed to protect and enhance biodiversity, with around 18 acres of open space (approximately 45% of the site) including areas for nature, play and community use. The open space adjacent to the public right of way will also be widened to 30m to create a stronger green corridor for both wildlife and people.
Detailed ecological surveys have been carried out across the site, including habitat and protected species assessments such as bat surveys. These have not identified any fundamental constraints, and the proposals have been designed to protect and enhance existing habitats.
We are committed to delivering a measurable net gain in biodiversity through a landscape-led approach. Existing features of ecological value, including good quality hedgerows and trees, will be retained where possible. The proposals will introduce additional species-rich native grassland, along with new tree and hedgerow planting. Together with on-site mitigation measures, this will deliver a biodiversity net gain of 12.30% in habitats, a 95.14% gain in hedgerows and a 15.67% gain in watercourses.
