Case APP/E2530/W/24/3356615

Case officer Michael Joyce

Appeal by Aldi Stores Limited

Land North of West Road, Bourne  PE10 9 PX

As residents and friends of Bourne, Lincolnshire, we've grown up with and fallen in love with the beautiful local landscape situated between Bourne’s Ancient Woodland and Beech and Fir Avenues. 

To us, the land North of West Road, Bourne PE10 9PX is more than just an open space. It's an important part of our community and serves as a precious, biodiverse wet site. It’s ancient buttercup pastures pique the interests of insects which in turn, feed our rare bat population (Leisler and Barbastelle).  

There are lots of different small birds (including nightingales), barn owls, tawny owls, red kites, buzzards, foxes, deer, muntjac, squirrels, rabbits and recently white egrets on this land. 

Additionally, this land plays an essential role in acting as a fire break/buffer zone between the Woods and Bourne. Building on this site would also present a possible flood risk and would be contrary to the local plan. 

There are a number of alternative sites on industrial/commercial areas on the South and Eastern parts of Bourne. There is also land opposite  Elsea Park housing estate (off Raymond Mays Way) which is due to be developed. 

The stakes are too high. Once we lose this land, we can never gain back the incredible view, valuable biodiversity and ecological balance it offers our community.

Any building on this sensitive, green meadow would result in harm to flora & fauna and the significantly beautiful visual amenity and character of the area, on this prominent rural gateway between Bourne Woods and Bourne Town.

If the decision is overturned and planning permission granted, it would precedent. We feel sure that planning permission would be soon be submitted for further development, for example a petrol station, motel and housing et cetera.

A primary school is 300 yards away from the roundabout (off which the proposed site is) and school traffic is often backed up to this roundabout and beyond. Tge same can be said for the evening rush hour. A supermarket would significantly add to the congestion 

 
Please sign this petition and join Friends of Bourne Wood in the fight against any future development, thus saving this sanctuary for the generations to come.