So, what’s in it for the Hainton Estate?

Few people believe the applicant for the development, Christopher Heneage Farms (CHF), has any interest in mountain biking or any of the other fluff LDC (Christopher Heneage’s planning agent) gave about the health benefits of cycling etc.

However, over 100 acres of land removed from agricultural tie could be a huge commercial win for the wealthy Heneage family, with opportunities for caravans, glamping, festivals or even a Centre-Parcs style leisure facility…

But Christopher Heneage wouldn’t get permission for that – even with the obvious manipulation of the planning process through the influence of “who you know” shenanigans.

A claim to want to help the health of the residents of the lethargic county of Lincolnshire would find favour and with the advice from the operator and certain local business associates it’s supposed CHF assumed the planning application process would be a breeze.

The ignorance of CHF and their advisors as to the resistance to such a blatant abuse of the Wolds AONB was surprising. One supposes a life of always getting things your way somewhat coloured CHF’s expectations.

The village of South Willingham toppled their pro bike park Parish Council after proving in a local ballot that the vast majority of the villagers didn’t want such construction in their village.

The sorry saga of the application is detailed on the East Lindsey Council planning portal (see http://www.woldsbikepark.co.uk for links). To say the residents feel betrayed doesn’t do justice to the depth of ill feeling CHF has created.

So what happens next? South Willingham isn’t going to “forgive and forget” but will continue to remind CHF and any possible business partners that ALL the statutory bodies tasked with protecting the Lincolnshire Wolds OBJECTED to this application.

We’re now watching to see what CHF does next…