Development in Lincoln

Press, 12 March 1985, Page 18

Development in Lincoln

Sir,—You reported that a commercial development in Lincoln has been declined by the Ellesmere County Council because it is development. That seems so stupid when Lincoln is urgently in need of progressive development. Could you verify that the proposal was declined because it exceeded $lOO,OOO in value, and not because of its sewerage connections as you would expect? Small houses, loaded with students could be approved, but a bank and two shops employing five or six people are declined. That is so stupid. History repeats itself and the Ellesmere council gets more egg on its face, after eight years of argument and indecision. A multi-million dollar Government development is under construction in Lincoln, initially connected to septic tanks, but ultimately to be connected to the upgraded sewage plant. Why not the same rules for this commercial project? Locals are disgusted with our council’s ineptitude. — Yours, etc.,

GRAEME SIM. Lincoln, February 27, 1985.

[The chairman of the Ellesmere County Council, Mr W. E. Walker, replies: “Your correspondent in an indirect manner has stated the pertinent facts relating to the possible commercial development in Lincoln. The definition of development as contained in the Local Government Act includes ‘Constructing . . . buildings . . . intended to be used solely or principally for . . . commercial purposes ... where the value of the construction ... is in excess of $100,000.’. The same act also states ‘Notwithstanding anything in any by-law of the council, the council shall refuse to grant a building permit for any construction . . . constituting or forming part of any development if adequate provision has not been made ... for the disposal of sewage from the .land.’ The proposed commercial development as presented to the council

had a value in excess of $lOO,OOO and is thus a development as defined. As your correspondent will be aware, the Lincoln sewage treatment plant is overloaded and any further loading must be to its further detriment. The council is, therefore, obliged by the mandatory provisions of the act to refuse a building permit for the proposed development unless acceptable alternatives are forwarded by the applicant, such as were for the Government development referred to by your correspondent. This was made known to the applicants. I am unsure as to the history which is being repeated and thus cannot comment. However, to state that the council has been indecisive and inept shows a misunderstanding of the considerable effort .that has been made to give the Lincoln area a long-term solution to its sewage disposal problems. Council officers are available to discuss the matter further with Mr Sim should he so desire.”]