March 2026 DRAFT Minutes
DRAFT MINUTES
BIGBY PARISH
OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, 31st MARCH 2026
PRESENT: Councillors –H. Aukland, D. Cowling, C. Gandy, l. Mair, B. Orr, W. Pinney, C. Wilson
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. Peter Morris
Cllr. Jim Bean – had tendered their apologies
There were 23 members of the public in attendance and 2 Planning Consultants
1. Welcome by the Chairman
Councillor D. Cowling opened the meeting and welcome the parishioners in attendance.
2. To Receive the Minutes of the 2025 Annual Parish Meeting
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th March
2025, having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: C. Gandy Seconded: H. Aukland
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
None
4. District and County Councillor Reports
Councillor P. Morris advised that:
• WLDC is unable to back any of the 5 proposals on the table for Local Government Reorganisation in Lincolnshire.
• WLDC has made an offer to purchase RAF Scampton. If successful, the site will immediately be sold to a private company, who have plans to convert it into a Science Park, Museum and a hotel.
5. Chair’s Report
Welcome: Explain for newcomers that it’s their meeting called by Chair on behalf of Parish.
Thanks to: Jim Bean & Peter Morris for their support
Parish Councillors and the Clerk
New Councillor Lee Mair
Clive Wilson who has stepped down
Brenda Orr – upkeep of little library
Helen Aukland– production of the newsletter & maintenance of flower beds
Gloria – donations of plants
Volunteers – all those who support the Parish eg keeping the environment tidy, donating books to the little library, cleaning of the Church and Village Hall
Alison, Clerk, who tendered her resignation in March
Precept: Increase of £2000 from £7500 to £9500
WLDC + 3%
LCC + 2.9%
Police Commissioner 4.7%
Roads: Smithy Lane has been resurfaced – problems with drainage are being investigated
Potholes and street lighting have been repaired. Reminder residents can report faults via Fix My Street
Environment: Little Library continues to be well used.
Continue to lobby for access to the Melton Ross Refuse facility.
Planning Two significant planning applications in progress:
1. Development in the ‘sheep field’:
It has been brought to the Clerk’s attention that the route taken by the Viking way as it crosses the field, (known locally as the sheep field), marked out by fencing and trees is the defined route. However, over the last 20 to 25 years, people walking the route have deviated to the right of the defined route, i.e. walking more closely to Somerby Lane. Given that this is the ‘custom and practice’ route, there is an argument that this should be the route that the footpath now takes. If residents feel strongly about this, there are mechanisms in place for this ‘custom and practice’ route to be reinstated.
This planning application, which was refused by WLDC, has been appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
2. Housing development next to the church (to be discussed later in the meeting)
The H2East Pipeline - Humber to Nottinghamshire
This is a proposal by Cadent to construct, operate and maintain an underground hydrogen pipeline.
The H2East Pipeline: Humber to Nottinghamshire will transport hydrogen to industries across the region. It is expected to be approximately 150km or 93 miles in length. It would include Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) at certain points along the route to help control and operate the pipeline.
The Project will play a vital role in protecting and boosting local jobs, encouraging inward investment, enabling a route to market for hydrogen producers and decarbonising industry. The pipeline will power industry, supporting manufacturers of steel, chemicals, bricks, food and more to switch from natural gas to low-carbon hydrogen.
Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network and brings gas to 11 million homes and businesses throughout the North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South Yorkshire and North London
Church & Village Hall:
Still have ongoing challenges maintaining and repairing both buildings. Parish Council has funded repairs to the Village Hall roof which is in desperate need of replacement. Continuing to explore ways of funding this work.
The church needs extensive maintenance by professional restorers, if anyone can help/has any ideas for fundraising please contact us. (see newsletter)
Parish Council continues to take responsibility for cutting the grass in the cemetery.
6. Village Issues
The Clerk advised that most of these have been covered in the Chair’s Report.
The Clerk advised that the direction of the newly fenced footpath across ‘sheep field’ is the designated route. However, over the last 20 to 25 years, people walking the route have deviated to the right of the defined route, i.e. walking more closely to Somerby Lane. Given that this is the ‘custom and practice’ route, there is an argument that this should be the route that the footpath now takes. If residents feel strongly about this, there are mechanisms in place for this ‘custom and practice’ route to be reinstated
7. Open Forum
The residents in attendance did not bring up any additional concerns other than
those discussed in previous agenda items. They were mainly in attendance to hear
and discuss the next agenda item.
8 a) Presentation on the Proposed Housing Development on the Field Immediately to the North of All Saints Church, Bigby.
The landowner, Will Pinney, advised that:
• In his opinion, Bigby requires development and an additional 18 houses.
• His proposed development covers all areas of the housing market, ie 2,3 and 4 bedroom homes, including affordable housing, starter homes and retirement bungalows.
• Andrew Allison, Planning Consultant, has come up with a design that not only provides the diversity of housing, but also addresses issues such as biodiversity and parking.
• The plan is to have use buff coloured brick and traditional roof tiles to fit in with the church.
• Access to the site will be via a new entry to the field, further north than the current one.
b) Question and Answer Session
An in-depth Q and A session followed. The main issues of concern raised are given below:-
• Traffic – Speed, stopping distances, visibility
• Housing density – too many for the size of the field
• Access – safety of entering and leaving the development, firstly by building contractors and eventually by the new residents
• Amenities – Doctors’ surgeries, local schools, shops and public transport
• Capacity in the current infrastructure for provision of sewage disposal, water and electricity?
• Light Pollution - ‘dark skies’ feature of the village
• Impact on the Grade 1 listed Church
• Noise and impact of the building process
• Loss of privacy
• Operation of the proposed village car park
• Maintenance of the site’s nature trail and pond
• Impact on an Area of Outstanding Landscape Value
Will Pinney and Andrew Allison addressed these issues, but unfortunately, did not allay the concerns of the residents present at the meeting.
Cllr. D. Cowling thanked Will and Andrew for their presentation and residents for their attendance at the meeting. She advised that the Parish Council was meeting, immediately after this one, to determine its response to the application, which would take into account the issues raised.
The meeting closed at 7.30 pm