Construction of 35 new homes on site of former Thrunscoe Infants' School may start soon

THE construction of a 35-home development on the site of an old primary school could begin in six weeks, according to developers.

Plans to demolish an old infants' school and build 35 homes have been approved by planning bosses – despite opposition from residents.

Snape Properties Limited, of Ashby-cum-Fenby, have been given the green light to knock down Thrunscoe Infants' School to make way for an Olympic-themed housing estate off Highgate.

Planning bosses approved the application because it re-uses a brownfield site that is in a "central and accessible area" and the layout and design preserves the character and appearance of the street.

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But throughout the application process residents raised concerns about the number of trees which will be felled, how the drainage system will cope, where the boundaries between their houses and the new homes are and how they will look in comparison to the surrounding area.

Adrian Smith bought the old school from North East Lincolnshire Council for £516,000 on behalf of Snape Properties

The firm's owner, Kevin Snape, believes the development is good for the area. He said: "It went through smoothly and was approved ten-to-one by councillors. We have worked with planners on this throughout, it is great for the area and now we are looking forward to getting started.

"It is on a brownfield site that is in need of regeneration and the council have seen that. It is a boost to the local economy.

"We addressed all concerns raised by residents – from altering the boundaries of the site to reducing the three-storey building to two-and-a-half. We have taken out the minimal number of trees and have tried to make sure everyone is happy."

The development will consist of 16 two-bedroom properties, 17 three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses. Some of these will be two-and-a-half storeys high – a reduction from the original three-storey-homes that were planned. Four of the properties will be two-bedroom bungalows for the elderly and two will be specifically for disabled people.

There will also be a play area, a bike shed, 38 parking spaces and three new roads created, all of which will incorporate the name of an Olympian.

The majority of councillors on North East Lincolnshire Planning Committee voted in favour of the development – with only Councillor Christina McGilligan-Fell (Lib Dem, Park) against it after the site visit she proposed was dismissed.

She said: "The residents seem to have a good understanding of the environment and with the greatest respect, they seem to know a lot more than the planners. I propose a site visit to satisfy in my mind that approving it is the right thing to do."

Ray Sutton (Lab, Freshney), backed the plans, but raised concerns over the security of the play area, adding: "It is a good scheme and I welcome it but I would like more details about the play area. Anxieties have been raised here about the security of it."

Sherburn Street resident, Peter Hill, is worried about the drainage as the main drain to the site often gets blocked and floods his land. He said: "I don't feel our concerns have been addressed. I don't think it is in keeping with the houses round here either."