Eight floating pontoons are being installed on the banks along Spalding’s River Welland to save baby otters from drowning.

The wildlife refuges are being sited along the sheet piled area of the river – which stretches 800 metres – because otters can’t stay in the water for long periods.

The Environment Agency stepped in with the £3,000 life-saving project after officials saw two baby otters desperately clinging to life by hanging on to a chain.

Environment Agency technical officer Nikki Loveday said: “It’s a sign of a healthy river to attract otters.

“The fact that otters have been seen is testament to our work cleaning the River Welland and it shows how good our river systems are.

“We first learnt otters were there when we saw two baby otters clinging on for dear life to a chain link attached to the sheet piled area.

“The otters were in the 800 metre sheet piled area, but they can’t stay in the water indefinitely and need a place to rest – just like any mammal.

“We wanted to make a safe habitat for them and these refuges float on the river to give them somewhere safely to go and rest.

The pontoons go up and down with the water level.

Five have already been put in place and three more are set to be installed.

• Otters suffered a serious decline in the late 1970s and were absent from most of England.

Their decline was linked to certain farm chemicals, which were later withdrawn.

In the early 1980s, when it looked like otters might be completely lost from England, conservationists began releasing captive bred otters into the wild.

A driver who failed to stop at the scene of a crash on the A17 later put a false date on his car sale document in a failed bid to throw police off his track.

Philip Case changed the date hoping it would prove to police he was not the owner of the Ford Fiesta at the time of the accident on the A17/Wisbech Road on February 11.

District judge John Stobart told Case that it was fortunate the investigating officer “was not to be thrown off the track”.

He fined Case £350 for using a false instrument designed to induce police to accept it as genuine.

Case (58), of Water Gate, Quadring Eaudyke, was fined £150 with six penalty points for failing to report the accident and £200 for obstructing a police officer.

He must pay £85 costs and a £35 victim surcharge.

Case admitted all three offences.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said the accident involved a Jaguar X-type and Case’s Ford Fiesta.

The Jaguar stopped but the Fiesta was driven off.

Through his solicitor, David Lee, Case claimed to be the victim of “some serious and aggressive driving” and left the scene because – although it was dark and the other driver was 40-50 yards away – he “perceived” the other driver had a weapon.

Mr Clare said the Jaguar driver denied having any weapon.

He said police spotted the Fiesta on the A16 on June 17 and Case said then he bought the car in the previous few weeks. Police went to his home on June 19 when Case produced a sales invoice for the car dated May 14 and again denied being the owner and driver on February 11.

Mr Clare said police started investigations and again saw Case, who then admitted he was the owner and driver at time of the crash.

Case told police he had added a date to the invoice after he was stopped on the A16.

“It was quite a long investigation, as you can imagine,” Mr Clare told the court.

Mr Lee said Case had no previous convictions and 40 years of driving without any incident.

He said Case maintained he was entirely blameless for the accident.

“He accepts he has made matters worse by falsifying the sales invoice,” said Mr Lee. “He had the sales invoice but he’s put a date in.”

Mr Lee continued: “This is a 58-year-old man who has brought disgrace upon himself, appearing in court for the very first time in his life.”

He said Case and his wife were facing repossession proceedings for their home and Case had suffered badly in terms of bereavement this year with the loss of his brother.

Mr Lee said those things had come together and got on top of him and had perhaps clouded his judgement.

Case works in Peterborough as an MOT tester.

People are being warned not to fall victim to bogus door-to-door traders selling artwork while claiming to be deaf and dumb.

The advice comes after a Sutton Bridge pensioner bought a drawing earlier this month from a woman who claimed the cash would be used to fund their education.

Donald Boyce (78) of Stanley Drive has since reported the matter to police and wants other residents not to make the same mistake as he did.

He said: “A young lady came to the door who looked like a student and had a notice saying she was deaf and dumb.

“She was selling pictures which I thought were pencil drawings and which she claimed had been drawn by herself.

“They looked like they had been photographed and blown up, but I felt sorry for her so I bought a picture for £13 and she wrote on the of it ‘thank you ever so much.’

“But my wife said I’d been conned and I thought it was very funny on my part to be caught out like that.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokeswoman said: “We have become aware of door-to-door salespeople travelling across Lincolnshire and selling drawings, some by pencil.

“The person, and in some cases people, are claming to be deaf and wish to obtain funds to support themselves.

“Please be advised that this is a scam and if unsure, don’t open the door.”

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. The details are given to the court by the defendant – but this may be some time after the original charge and they may have moved in the meantime.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

August 12

Anna Kitchen (43), of Casswell Drive, Quadring. Speeding (Spalding). £60 fine, £20 victim surcharge, 3pts.

Robert Kluk (37), of Churchgate, Sutterton. Speeding (Wainfleet St Mary). £60 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Colin Osborn (47), of The Chase, Pinchbeck. Defective tyre (Graby). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Karolina Robak (32), of Church Meadows, Kirton. Failing to control hazards commensurate with the nature and size of a food business (ABC Market, Boston). £1,500 fine, £120 v/s, £1,388 costs. Failing to train staff in food hygiene. £1,500 fine. Failing to ensure premises and equipment were kept clean and maintained. £1,500 fine. Failing to ensure ingredients were kept in appropriate conditions. £1,500 fine. Failing to supply hot water for cleaning. £1,500 fine. Failing to supply hot water at wash hand basins. £1,500 fine.

August 14

Joshua Teague (19), of Clarke Court, Wyberton. Failing to give urine specimen (Boston). £160 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Samuel Tooke (22), of High Road, Whaplode. Failing to comply with community order. Order to continue with requirement to do 250 hours’ unpaid work.

August 19

Jed Haw (25), of Baby Row, Swineshead. Failing to give driving ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Kathleen McGuiness (49), of Archer Lane, Algarkirk. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

August 21

Vitalija Marcisauskiene (28), of Langley Mews, Kirton. Drink driving (Kirton). £150 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. No separate penalty for no insurance.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court

August 16

Edward Holliday (45), of Heather Court, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

John Overton (56), of Alvenor Street, Ilkeston. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £15 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Darren Robinson (28), of Oak Street, Sutton in Ashfield. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Philip Marshall (49), of Monson Road, Northorpe, Gainsborough. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Karol Matysek (28), of Matmore Gate, Spalding. Failing to stop after an accident (Spalding). £265 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Richard Parker (71), of Manor Lane, Metheringham. Speeding (Whaplode). £265 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

August 20

Kimberley Ely (31), of Morleys Leet, King’s Lynn. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Trevor Beasley (49), of Steeles Way, Lambley, Nottingham. Speeding (Billingborough). £294 fine, £29 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Mark Bishop (52), of Burretgate Road, Walsoken. Speeding (Spalding). £165 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

Nigel Whitworth (52), of The Quay, West Bank, Sutton Bridge. Speeding (Horbling). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Steven York (33), of Cleveland View, Fishburn. Speeding (Swineshead). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 56 days.

Robert Buckley (43), of Surfleet Road, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £95 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Andrew Foreman (43), of Cherry Walk, Boston. No insurance (Kirton). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for six months.

David Ives (73), of Rose Lane, Diss. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Justine Jones (42), of Brock Crescent, Bourne. Speeding (Spalding). £70 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Lacey (42), of Pennygate, Spalding. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Elizabeth Murray (30), of Woodgreen Drive, Radcliffe, Manchester. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Simon Peacher (39), of Bridgewater Lane, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Pinchbeck). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Deano Smith (45), of Clay Lake, Spalding. Failing to give driving ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s,£85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Williamson (40), of Carisbrooke Way, Weston Hills. Speeding (Spalding). £400 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Danny Dowding (42), of Drayton Road, Swineshead. Speeding (Kirton Holme). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Martin Hewitt (31), of Retreat Estate, Downham Market. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £165 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

William Martin (66), of Scole, Diss. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Matthew Young (41), of Fore Street, Pinner. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

August 21

Gedeminas Rakauskas (36), of Peverill Road, Peterborough. Going equipped for theft (Moulton Marsh) and for failing to surrender to a magistrates’ court. Community order with 12 weeks’ curfew and 150 hours’ unpaid work, £60 v/s, £250 costs.

Vaidas Vasilauskas (30), of Peverill Road, Peterborough. Going equipped for theft (Moulton Marsh) and for failing to surrender to a magistrates’ court. Community order with 12 weeks’ curfew and 150 hours’ unpaid work, £60 v/s, £250 costs.

Joey Roylance (53), of Friars Croft, Merrow, Guildford. No insurance (Pinchbeck). £480 fine, £48 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Scott Whitehead (35), of NFA. Drunk and disorderly, assaulting a police officer (Bourne) and failing to surrender to custody. Six-month conditional discharge, £15 v/s.

August 23

Adrienne Barr (45), of Palace Court Gardens, London. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £130 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Rannie Bond (35), of Peterborough Way, Sleaford. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £60 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

Tim Mills (46), of Winsover Road, Spalding. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Natasha Wright (42), of West Street, Folkingham. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Nina Korenova (27), of Cherry Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Swineshead). £30 fine, £20 v/s, disqualifed from driving for six months.

Sam Tooke (22), of Penny Hill Caravan Site, Holbeach. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £200 fine. No insurance. £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for months.

August 27

Paul Fox (49), of Calvalry Park, March. Speeding (Whaplode). £180 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Andre George (18), of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £40 fine, £50 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Augis Rakstelis (25), of Pilgrim Road, Boston. Driving without due care and attention (Sutton Bridge). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Ronald Sharma (59), of Wignals Gate, Holbeach. Driving without due care and attention (Holbeach). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts. Failing to comply with a give way sign. £120 fine.

Dawid Sobczak (18), of Betjeman Close, Spalding. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £50 costs, 3pts.

Thomas Byrne (43), of Market Lane, Walpole St Andrew. Speeding (Whaplode). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

John Caunce (59), of The Broadway, Morton. No insurance (Bourne). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

David England (46), of Boston Road, Kirton. Speeding (Crowland). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Luke Fappiano (23), of Cambridge Gardens, Gosberton. Speeding (Spalding). £265 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts

James Fosberry (21), of Donington Road, Kirton End. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts

Tadas Gedvygas (24), of The Mill, Kirton. Speeding (Spalding). £40 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts

Gintaras Jastrunskis (45), of Osborne Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Whaplode). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts

Samantha Mather (43), of Cowbit Road, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £125 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

A care home in Spalding is to have 13 new bedrooms and communal areas.

Plans for the extension to The Bungalow in Park Road have been given the thumbs-up after a previous application for 19 bedrooms was lost at appeal.

In January, Coun Christine Lawton applauded the decision that stopped elderly residents living in “attic rooms.”

She said in a report to South Holland District Council planners that the single-storey plan was an improvement. However, she feared there could still be a case of overdevelopment.

Spalding and District Civic Society was disappointed there was no green amenity space, but this was “not something to be discussed”.

The president of Spalding and District Chamber of Commerce is giving businesses a four-way passport ahead of a showpiece event later this year.

Phil Scarlett is urging businesses not to miss out on the chance of being involved in the inaugural South Holland Enterprise Day and Business Awards taking place at Springfields Events Centre, Spalding, on November 20.

A pair of speakers with extensive experience of the business world have been invited to the event which is being backed by the Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press, in partnership with Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and the chamber in Spalding.

But firms in the area can exhibit their services to delegates, network with others at the event, sponsor one of six awards being presented on the day and enter the race to win one of them.

Mr Scarlett said: “This event came about when we were looking for a new way whereby businesses could network and come together.

“There’s nothing of a similar nature in south Lincolnshire and we were also aware that the Free Press and Guardian was bitterly disappointed when the previous business awards couldn’t continue after 2011, so we thought it was something we could pick up together.

“We’re both great fans of recognising and celebrating success but we needed the right platform to do it and provided this event goes well, we’ll look at splitting it into two in the future.”

There are six categories which firms can enter, including business, apprentice and supporting the community, but entries must be sent to Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce by September 23.

For more details about the event, visit www.spaldingareachamber.co.uk

A retired nurse at the forefront of a battle to save sheltered housing wardens was one of the first on the scene when an elderly neighbour was injured in a fall.

Michael Smith (73), of Cedar Court, Spalding, said the 82-year-old woman hurt her shoulder on Friday – breaking the collar bone.

He said: “I am a former nurse and I went in and made her as comfortable as possible until the paramedics came.

“They were on the scene within ten to 15 minutes and took her to hospital.”

Mr Smith said there was nothing more the wardens could have done in that case, but many frail elderly people rely on wardens to rescue them in medical emergencies when they have no one else to call.

Residents of sheltered housing complexes across South Holland are in limbo with the threat of cutbacks hanging over the service.

The service is funded by Lincolnshire County Council and delivered locally by South Holland District Council.

Mr Smith says residents are worried sick about what the future holds for them and he is meeting district council leader Gary Porter on September 2 to see what steps are being taken to help guarantee the future of the service beyond October.

The pensioner will then pass on information to residents of Spalding’s Nene Court and Sezanne Walk at meetings he’s arranged.

He said: “Frail elderly people need some sort of cover, they need some reassurance that if anything happens they are going to be looked after and the wardens will be there.”

Mr Smith said pensioners understand savings have to be made, but they still need a workable service with wardens able to call on them when they need help.

A Spalding mum has spoken of the traumatic 45 minutes she tried to calm her two-year-old son as he gasped for breath while waiting for an ambulance.

Alisha Townsend said she was trying to hold Logan steady on the floor while dialling 999 and then discovering the first ambulance sent from Bourne had got lost.

Speaking back at her home in Cook Drive yesterday (Thursday), she said: “Another ambulance was sent from King’s Lynn because the first one was lost driving up and down St John’s Road, which is behind me, because the sat nav wasn’t working.

“I can’t thank the crew from King’s Lynn enough. They and my family from Weston got here before the first ambulance. It’s disgraceful. We are thinking of making an official complaint.”

The Spalding Guardian was contacted about the length of time the ambulance took by Mrs Townsend’s father, David Sampson, after the 999 call was made at about 8.30pm.

He said: “You can’t imagine what it’s like having your daughter at the end of a phone saying ‘Dad I’m going to lose him’.

“Why wasn’t there an ambulance in Spalding? You hear of elderly people dying waiting for an ambulance, but what if it was a two-year-old. I’m certainly considering going to MP John Hayes with this.”

As Mrs Townsend, who is seven months pregnant, was waiting for the ambulance her husband, Jack, had broken down on the M25 trying to get home from London.

She said: “He had to wait from 8.30pm to 3.30am for the RAC to turn up. It was all a complete nightmare.

“Logan was released from hospital at 2am after being given oxygen and steroids. The doctor said he had the worse case of croup he had seen. His airways were blocked which is why he needed oxygen. But apart from when he coughs, he seems to be getting there.”

l The Spalding Guardian was still awaiting a response from the East Midlands Ambulance Service at the time of going to press.

Lincolnshire Police is once again launching Operation Galileo to tackle and reduce hare coursing.

Inspector Andy Ham explained: “Hare coursing, as well as being illegal, causes disruption and alarm to rural communities.

“Evidence shows that people who participate in it are mainly involved in other forms of criminal activity.

“During what has become known as the hare coursing ‘season’, from around September to March, the number of reported incidents increased steadily each year until last season”.

Last year a newly formed dedicated Operation Galileo Team dealt with a record number of offenders – 186 men were prosecuted, usually under the Gaming or Hunting Acts, and another 100 were given warnings prior to commencing any coursing.

Consequently the number of incidents reported to Lincolnshire police was reduced by around 250, and was the lowest recorded number for at least five years. The same period also saw a dramatic reduction in distraction burglaries.

“Having a dedicated team enables us to not only respond quickly to reports from the public, but it also improves the way in which we gather intelligence.”

Inspector Ham urges everyone to contribute to the police’s ability to deal with offences by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity.

“Ideally, take note of vehicle registrations, times and specific locations. Obviously, should you witness hare coursing actually taking place, please ring 999 so the team is given the opportunity of apprehending the persons.”

Library closures are getting South Holland residents hot under the collar.

Lincolnshire County Council aims to shift more than 30 libraries into private hands – volunteers, companies or community groups – to save almost £2 million.

If no one comes forward, communities in places like Holbeach, Donington, Pinchbeck and Crowland will be left with mobile library services.

Bert Spencer, from Holbeach St Marks, uses Holbeach Library and says: “The Government is closing the country down. We blame the county council but it’s the one at the top.

“We have got a lovely little library in Holbeach but it’s closing down. I can’t see the need or the point of any of it.”

Spalding man Barry Drew has just got back from Holbeach’s twin town, Sezanne, where the French have built “an absolutely beautiful new library” including a music school.

He says villages are losing services so why not combine libraries with post offices and shops.

Elizabeth Brothwell also lives in Spalding, where the library is safe, but says closures are “wrong”.

She said: “I read cookery books, gardening books and all sorts of books every week.”

Pinchbeck Library is handy for village resident Charlotte Carr and daughters Poppy (5) and Daisy, aged eight months, and has free parking, unlike Spalding.

Charlotte said: “Poppy goes through the children’s section and gets a whole library worth of books and Daisy goes to the music group.”

Sutton Bridge resident Eric Southon said: “It’s terrible isn’t it? It’s all volunteers now. Years ago you had to go to college to pass exams and get a librarian’s degree.”

Alexandra McNamee (6), from Moulton Chapel, uses Spalding Library and says: “I like what they put in their books.”

She says children losing their libraries “will be sad.”

* Deepings residents have triggered a debate by the full county council on library cutbacks by handing in a petition with 7,800 signatures.
Labour county councillor Phil Dilks says nine members of the council executive have the final say, but the petition will give all 77 elected members a chance to speak.
He said Lincolnshire’s library visits have gone up from 2.7 million ten years ago to three million.
Coun Dilks said: “We are campaigning hard to keep our council run library – and our professional librarians.
“It’s bizarre that a billion pound county council which underspent by £1million every week last year is threatening closure of 33 of its 47 libraries to save £1.9million.
“It’s cultural vandalism – the most draconian cuts in the 160-year history of library provision in this country.
“It’s now time for the nine members of the executive to listen to the voices of reason and scrap their discredited plan.”
Deepings campaigners say some libraries on the council’s “safe list” are less well used than Market Deeping Library and it too should be saved.
South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes has backed The Deepings campaign – and the petition was also signed by county council leader Martin Hill.
• A meeting to save the library will be held at 7.30pm on September 10 in Deepings School Conference Centre.

Music lovers are a step closer to seeing the return of a long-awaited bandstand to gardens in Spalding.

A bid for £60,000 funding has been deemed ‘eligible’ for a slice of Springfields’ section 106 money.

The final decision on the bandstand plan for Ayscoughfee Hall gardens will be announced at South Holland District Council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 1.

If approved it will not only strike a chord with the Town Forum, where it has been a frequent agenda item, but also a member of Friends of Ayscoughfee.

Mavis Wilson (80), of Pennygate, says she has fond memories of listening to bands playing in a thatched roof bandstand on the lawn through the arched entrance to Ayscoughfee.

The rustic bandstand, built to commemorate the Coronation of George VI, was built in 1937 but was destroyed by arsonists in the early 1970s.

Since then the Friends of Ayscoughfee have arranged concerts on the south lawn during the summer months.

Mrs Wilson said: “I can remember back to to 1939 when musicians wore red coats and navy trousers and looked very smart.

“So many people used to go along to listen there was standing room only.

“A lot of elderly people would like to see a bandstand return – especially those who go from the care homes at weekends.

“The children have a lovely play area, so what about us?

“It’s time the Town Forum stopped talking about it and did something.”

George Aley, chairman of the Town Forum, said he was delighted the bid had made it through the first stages.

He said: “Since we announced the bid we have had nothing but positive responses. Even young people have said they would like to see pop groups play there.

“A lot of people want the answer to be ‘yes’.”

A plan for 42 homes in Spalding might become a nightmare for the town’s refuse collectors according to councillors.

Outline planning permission for the homes in Kings Road was granted at South Holland District Council’s planning meeting on Wednesday night.

The applicant is Reliant Building Contractors Ltd. There would be three house types, all two-and-a-half storeys with accommodation in the roof space.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “As portfolio holder for waste management I must say with half of them off private drives we could live to regret this.

“Properties can be rented out on short-term leases with a high turnover. We just get letters out to say how they are leaving their waste out is unacceptable and then they are gone.

“I will do as much as possible to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

Initially, the developer claimed the scheme could proceed at a low profit margin only if there was no affordable housing or other Section 106 contributions.

However, following an assessment of the viability appraisal by District Valuer Services, seven affordable dwellings have been included.

Coun Gambba-Jones said: “It’s disappointing but every applicant seems to be coming along saying they can’t give affordable housing.

“Delivering affordable housing is something that is being encouraged by the Government.

“Locally, we have been robust enough to challenge this.”

Councillors approved the application with 20 conditions, including not more than 50 per cent could be occupied before work is started on affordable homes, and 90 per cent before completion.

Two people were injured, one seriously, after a crash involving two vehicles near Spalding Bus Station.

Police are establishing how the crash happened on Winfrey Avenue at about 10.45am on Thursday, but eyewitnesses claimed that a vehicle drove out of the car park and hit two pedestrians before colliding with a taxi parked nearby.

A woman, thought to be aged about 50, was airlifted to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, with severe head injuries and a 14-year-old boy was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, with minor injuries.

Winfrey Avenue itself was closed for several hours while police diverted traffic away from the area.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “The collision was reported to police at around 10.45am and it involved two vehicles, a Peugeot hatchback and a taxi, and two pedestrians.

“Officers arrived at the scene and closed the road to traffic, with the circumstances surrounding the incident now subject to investigation.”

The spokesman also said the injured woman was recovering well in hospital and anyone who saw the accident should call 101. Photo (DENISE VICKERS): SG290813-133DV.

The next public meeting of the Trust Board of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust takes place at 10.30am today in the Boardroom, Trust Headquarters, Lincoln County Hospital.

Items for discussion at the meeting include an update of performance and finance, an update of the Keogh Action Plan and patient story.

Intruders trying to get into a property in Bourne ran off after being disturbed by a passer-by.

The attempted burglary happened at an address in North Street at about 10.15pm on Wednesday and anyone with information should call police on 101, stating incident number 545 of August 28.

Vehicle owners are being advised to guard against thieves after two men were seen acting suspiciously in Spalding.

The pair were thought to be looking at two motorcycles at a house in Spring Gardens before being challenged by a resident at about 1.45am on Thursday.

Police describe one of the men as white, with short black hair and wearing a grey hooded jacket, but no description was given for the other man.

Both men walked off towards Sheep Market and anyone with information should call police on 101.

Tory MP John Hayes says it’s unlikely Parliament will be asked again in the short term about possible military intervention in Syria following chemical weapons attacks on civilians there.

The South Holland and The Deepings MP sided with his Government on Thursday night, but the vote on “keeping our options open” was lost and effectively ruled out Britain taking part in military strikes against the Assad regime.

Mr Hayes said: “There was no vote on military action, the vote was to keep our options open.”

Since Parliament delivered its verdict – with the Government losing by 272 votes to 285 – fresh evidence about the use of chemical weapons has emerged listing higher numbers killed, but this is unlikely to spark a fresh debate.

Mr Hayes said: “You can never say never, frankly, but it’s very unlikely that the matter will return to the House in the short term. Parliament has spoken and the Prime Minister has said the Government has heard very clearly.”

Asked whether he favoured military action against Syrian targets, Mr Hayes said: “As I illustrated with my vote, I was certainly not wanting to rule out Britain taking a stand on these things.

“There was never any suggestion last week that Britain should be involved in a full-scale military involvement.

“I can understand people’s reticence given the legacy of Iraq – people do believe that Tony Blair failed the British people with Iraq.”

In Thursday’s Spalding Guardian, a retired frontline military intelligence officer, Lt Cdr Frank Ledwidge, wrote an open letter to Mr Hayes asking him to show moral courage and vote against Britain taking military action in Syria.

Mr Hayes said he had read the letter but already understood that military action needed to be considered extremely carefully and “you need an exit strategy as well as an entry strategy”.

The MP also says pointedly: “We are not the world’s policeman, are we?”

But he also fears the worst if the West does nothing.

“What I am worried about is if the West does absolutely nothing, Assad will continue his brutal handling of his opponents and there is nothing more harrowing than seeing the scenes of people being poisoned by nerve gas – it’s something we have not really experienced in the West since the First World War.”

Mr Hayes said many more people died in the Syrian gas attacks than first thought.

He said: “It’s just horrible that this may go on.”

The fate of Donington’s closure-threatened library is in limbo with no volunteers so far stepping forward to run it.

A packed public meeting at the Ruby Hunt Centre on Friday heard county councillor Nick Worth, executive member for libraries, explain why the authority is passing more than 30 of its libraries into private hands.

If no companies or volunteers step forward to run libraries, communities like Donington will be left only with visits from mobile libraries.

District councillor Jane King, who organised the meeting, said the parish council will debate the future of the library on Thursday and volunteer groups have their meetings too.

Coun King said some volunteers belong to more than one group and she’s not certain they can take on the library as well.

She said: “The ideal situation is we want the library to stay exactly as it is with trained librarians.

“We as a group are fairly disgusted that this is the way it is going.

“At one time you used to have to go to university and get a qualification to become a librarian and now it appears that the goalposts have been moved again and anybody can do it with a bit of training.

“The majority of people want to have a professional service.

“Are doctors going to be obsolete and we get somebody in off the street?”

Coun King said the county council had missed opportunities to make money out of its building in Donington as there is a vacant flat above the library and a huge area of land at the back.

She said the village has been told it can use the existing library building if volunteers step forward and villagers are desperate not to have another empty building in Donington.

The county council’s consultation on libraries ends on September 30.

More than 2,500 people have filled in questionnaires and there have been 350 letters and emails.

Coun Worth said: “Some people would like to see libraries become multi-use buildings, incorporating other services such as cafes and heritage centres.”

Others have suggested ways of raising money.

Fears plans for new rugby pitches were going up in smoke have been booted out by the Spalding Rugby Club agent driving the dream.

Jeremy Chew was concerned a window of opportunity would be missed when the planning application was deferred because of concerns about the smell of burning during a planning meeting at South Holland District Council on Wednesday.

The club, which currently has restricted access to Spalding Grammar School’s west field threatening the future of the mini/junior rugby section, has applied for a change of use of agricultural land at Drain Bank North, Cowbit.

Council officers had recommended the application be approved ahead of the meeting.

If it is given the go-ahead, the club would change the 13.47ha site into rugby pitches, a car park and temporary changing rooms, kitchen and clubhouse in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Mr Chew said: “A lot rides on getting this application through by October 30. I was concerned we would miss our funding deadline.

“This is the second time the plan been deferred but I have spoken to the council and have been assured they understand the urgency.”

A sum of £400,000 has been secured for the project, including £200,000 Lead Up and Legacy funding from the Rugby Football Union and the remainder from Sport England and private investors.

The RFU funding is a particular coup for the club. Mr Chew said: “Securing RFU funding and getting up and running by the Rugby World Cup is a massive plus for the club – it’s like the Olympics.

“I’m confident the plans will go through in time and with our new grounds we will be able to capture the legacy of the world cup and boost our membership.”

In addition the new facilities are set to become one of eight regional development centres headed up by Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.

Mr Chew said: “This is very exciting. Before juniors have had to travel to places like Newark and King’s Lynn but with a brand new ground and floodlights they will be able to train on the doorstep.

“I would like to say there is no animosity around our move from Spalding Grammar School – it’s simply natural progression. Now it’s about the club and the community joining forces to make it happen.”

l A spokesman for South Holland District Council said the burning smell which stopped the meeting had come from an “external source”. Spalding Rugby Club’s plan will be considered by chairman’s panel on Friday. The date of the next planning meeting is September 25.

BREAKING NEWS TUESDAY 10.30AM: A man has been taken to hospital with head and wrist injuries after two-vehicle collision in Moulton Seas End this morning.

It involved a lorry and van which collided on Pipwell Gate, near a cabbage farm on Roman Bank.

The van driver was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, and the road was closed in both directions at its junction with Seas End Road.