PLANNING GREEN LIGHT LIKELY FOR 100-PLUS NEW HOMES IN GRIMSBY-AREA VILLAGE

                                                         

This visual provides a clue to how the layout of part of the proposed estate might look

A REVISED plan to build a new housing estate in a Grimsby-area village is likely to be rubber-stamped at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

The new version of a previously-approved proposal will lead to up to 118 homes of mixed styles being built in Habrough by Keigar Homes Ltd.

Misgivings about the revisions have been voiced by both villagers and the parish council, but senior North East Lincolnshire Council planner Jonathan Cadd does not deem them sufficient to warrant refusal.

In a report recommending approval, he states: "If approved, the proposed scheme will provide an attractive addition to this part of Habrough with a range of house type and tenure to suit both young and old. 

"The affordable housing component will assist to meet the needs of the borough.

"The design will maintain the appearance and the character of the area and provide a positive transition from open countryside to the village, whilst open space would provide a visual buffer but also suitable amenity area for residents. 

"Access would be as previously approved and is deemed suitable for traffic levels generated as is the estate layout. "

The developer's proposed choice of tree in the landscaping is hornbeam, a native species, which is generally deemed to be beneficial to wildlife.

However, for reasons he has not given, NELC's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, is opposing hornbeam and would prefer a different species which he has not yet identified.

The Grimsby News says: There is a serious deficiency in the planning officer's appraisal of this project. Contrary to the requirements of best practice, he has not addressed the potential impact of this development on birds, butterflies and other wildlife. This is a serious oversight because it is a requirement of local planning authorities, such as NELC,  to ensure there is no loss of biodiversity. He has until the meeting on Wednesday morning to come up with a proposal. Here's hoping the members of the planning committee hold him to account.