Controversial plan for 3,600 homes - yes, 3,600! - will focus councillors' minds at meeting next week

This report will be scrutinised at the September 16 meeting 

                                                            

THE spotlight will next week again fall on a controversial plan to build 3,600 homes and a roads network on farmland and in countryside to the west of Grimsby.

The project is being spearheaded by local property development company M.F. Strawson Ltd and Yorkshire-based regeneration company Harworth Group plc.

Their venture  is understood to have the strong support of the current North East Lincolnshire Council leadership which sees the potential for creation of many new jobs and a huge economic uplift to the area.

However, opponents are fearful of serious harm to a green and pleasant part of the borough along with intense new pressure on health services and other infrastructure.  

If it goes ahead, the development will effectively create a small town, though it is being described, somewhat clumsily, as a "sustainable urban extension". 

An updated 'masterplan'  has been published in advance of a meeting of  NELC's Transport, Infrastructure and Strategic Housing Scrutiny Panel which is due to be held between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday (September 16).  

The meeting is open to the public.                                                              

This map shows the proposed new road development if the project proceeds