Housing plan for 'eyesore' site in Pelham Road, Cleethorpes, welcomed by residents

PLANS to transform a derelict "eyesore" into 23 homes in Cleethorpes have been unveiled – to the delight of its neighbours.

A planning application has been submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council to build the terrace houses on land owned by Unifab Design and Manufacture Ltd in Pelham Road.

And architects behind the plans, Ross Davy Associates, claim during a pre-application resident consultation, they received nothing but praise for the brownfield site proposal.

Mr Davy said: "We haven't had one negative response so far, people want to see this land developed.

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"We have been discussing the site for a long time and have positive support from the planning department at North East Lincolnshire Council, who see it as regeneration."

It comes as a borough-wide campaign against developing on greenfield sites before brownfield sites gathers pace – as applications for green land in Humberston and surrounding areas have been coming in "thick and fast".

Site owner Dave Atkin had marketed the site for industrial and employment use for years but to no avail.

It has attracted criminals and vandals who have stolen scrap metal from the site and vandalised some of the old outbuildings, which has been a concern to residents.

As reported, it was flagged up in a recent article by the Grimsby Telegraph as one of the main brownfield sites that could be developed into housing.

Mr Davy continued: "The industrial premises have not been in use for many years. He marketed the buildings for industrial and employment use without success and has now decided to turn it into residential property.

"We feel this development reflects the remaining properties in Pelham Road and improves the site. It will make great use of this land."

The existing commercial building will be demolished and five houses will have garages. There will be parking spaces and a new access point will be built.

The water tower, described by Mr Davy as "iconic", will remain. He added: "It is a well-known structure and adds a certain distinction to the site."

The plans have been welcomed by residents, who are also desperate for the neighbouring old Cherry Valley frozen food factory to be torn town and turned into terraces.

Sharon Woofindin, 39, said: "It is about time they did something with that land and I can't see any problem with it being houses. This used to be a quiet street but it seems to be attracting the wrong kind of people, possibly because of this derelict land."

Richard Edwards, 20, also backs the plans. He said: "As long as the houses don't go to the wrong kind of people I am happy. It is a big open space and it needs developing."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: "The derelict buildings were always getting broken into and attracting criminals into the street.

"I am quite happy with the plans, there is a little concern about extra traffic but other than that I think most people are for it."