CRUNCH DECISION DUE ON PLAN TO BUILD 122 HOMES ON LEAFY SITE NEAR WEELSBY WOODS

The sort of house that Keigar hopes to build

A DECISION is due next week on a controversial proposal to build 122 new homes on the southern edge of the Weelsby area in Grimsby.

Keigar Homes has earmarked a greenfield site off Humberston Road for the project which is due to be determined by North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee.

To the immediate north and east of the site there are residential properties on Villa Court, Vaughan Avenue, Ashridge Drive and Humberston Road. 

To the west of the site is Weelsby Woods and to the south open fields. 

The site is currently overgrown and is defined by well established landscaped boundaries. 

There is a footpath running along the southern boundary which links into Weelsby Woods and this is a public right of way. 

Vehicular access to the site is proposed from Humberston Road between the junctions to Davenport Drive and Villa Court.

The proposed layout shows there would be a mixture of properties but predominately two storey in height.

Many residents have objected because they fear the character of the area will be changed, there will be increased traffic risk and there will be noise and other disturbance during construction.

Because of inevitable loss of habitat for birds and other wildlife, it is understood that Keigar Homes is  prepared to chip in with compensation money of £50,000  to be put towards a long-term management and enhancement programme for nature-rich Weelsby Woods nearby.

This follows consultations with NELC's ecology officer, Rachel Graham, who is always keen to champion biodiversity mitigation when it comes to planning applications.

It is understood the would-be developers are ready to contribute further monies towards improving the highways network (£172,000) and towards providing extra school places for the children of prospective residents of the proposed estate (almost £750,000).

At their meeting on Wednesday, councillors will be recommended to approve the application.

Says case officer Lauren Birkwood: "It is considered that the development of this site would provide much-needed housing in the area."                                                

The Grimsby News says: This may or may not be an excellent scheme, but it always sounds a jarring note when the case officer proclaims a proposed development will provide "much-needed" housing. Is there any evidence that new housing at this location is "much-needed". And is the claim a valid and overriding planning consideration? On that basis, every application to build new homes would be approved almost regardless of  any objections by residents.