20 jobs take a step closer as cycle park plans submitted

Plans to bring up to 20 jobs to the Lincolnshire Wolds as part of the county’s first purpose-built off-road cycling park have been submitted to East Lindsey District Council.

The proposed Wolds Cycle Park near South Willingham is set to bring “significant” economic benefits for other businesses in the area with associated spend at shops, holiday accommodation, local restaurants and pubs.

Now, the team behind the scheme is encouraging local residents to throw their support behind the project as it goes through the planning permission process.

Louth resident Kevin Smith – who runs Focus Rides which will operate the site near South Willingham – believes that the benefits to the area are significant and will bring both environmental and economic benefits.

He said: “The Lincolnshire Wolds is the perfect spot for a cycle park that will be the only one of its kind in the wider region. There are many passionate off-road cyclists across the county, but there isn’t a single purpose-built facility to cater for them within Lincolnshire’s borders.

“We’ve engaged a professional trail building company to design and build the park, which will benefit everyone from those learning to ride a balance bike, all the way through to expert level riders.

“The park will promote a healthy and active lifestyle, and the site we have identified provides the perfect mix of excellent undulation while avoiding any significant visual impact on the surrounding area.

“As Lincolnshire folk, we all know how beautiful this part of the world is, and these proposals give us a great chance to shout about the region while also bringing new jobs to the area.”

The proposals for the park – situated on the Hainton Estate – have been submitted by Louth-based Lincs Design Consultancy (LDC), who specialises in planning, design and landscape services.

Daniel Sharp, director at LDC, said: “The project proposals have been developed following extensive public and statutory consultation and have been led by a thorough team of specialist consultants.”

“The proposal will provide a significant ecological and biodiversity net gain as proven by the specialist consultants’ reports. The trail itself will be incredibly low-impact – all features will be constructed with soil from the site and dressed with fine limestone, so they are less impactful on the environment than a farm track, for example.”

“The carbon footprint of the build will be offset by the planting of native species trees, grasses and wildflowers on the site, with the highly-efficient visitor centre building sitting sympathetically within the landscape whilst being both practical and user friendly.

“Overall, the park will sit hidden in the fold of the Wolds, with its whole ethos centred around an approach that is low impact and sympathetic to its environment.”