Landowners' 'trust' hope for Humberston Avenue homes

LANDOWNERS behind a plan to build 400 homes in New Waltham want to "earn the trust" of locals by letting them to have their say on what they want in their village.

The Hewson family, who own the Millennium Park development in Humberston Avenue, unveiled the scale of the 64-acre development this weekend – but the content will be left up to residents.

However, while some found this approach reassuring, campaigners branded it a "sad day for the avenue" and called for urban brownfield sites to be developed over green land.

Ross Hewson and his sister, Kelly Hewson-Fisher, hope to have rough plans drawn up in a few weeks, which will be based on the results of the public consultation.

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Mr Hewson said: "Our whole concept for the development since we started was to base it on what the public want. We want to hear all their views, whether they are positive or negative.

"We are not here to call other developers but we are here to say we are not going anywhere, we aren't just going to build here and leave like others might. Our family were born here. We are not going to just up sticks; we want this to be a legacy."

Just under half of the development will be dedicated to community space, which could include a school, cemetery or park.

The area falls into North East Lincolnshire Council's local plan, which maps out where 9,000 new homes could be built before 2030 – 45 per cent of which are in Humberston, New Waltham, Waltham, Healing and Stallingborough, as reported.

Already there are five major developments in the pipeline – including a further 400 homes at the opposite end of Humberston Avenue and a 1,500 "urban extension" on Weelsby Hall Farm, behind Pennell's Garden Centre.

Residents concerned about the Millennium Park proposal say too many green fields will be lost to development and the 100-year-old infrastructure of the avenue and surrounding area is unable to take it – from traffic increase to drainage problems.

Lee Scargall, a member of the Save Our Fields campaign group, said: "This is a sad day for Humberston. This area is being decimated and yet look at Grimsby – why isn't there more pressure to clean up the brownfield sites before ripping up our green fields? It is a disgrace."

Ann and Maurice Halliday, of Priors Close, New Waltham, are concerned about the number of developments heading for the area but accept there is a need for housing.

Mrs Halliday said: "I do think it would enhance the area. People on the avenue might not think so but as long as it is done in a good way and they listen to what people want ... I wouldn't want to see 400 homes all crammed together with no parking and in your face."

Mr Halliday added: "My only concern is there are too many developments at the same time and I don't think we have the infrastructure for all of them."

Local firm Hodson Architects is working with the Hewson family.

Mark Hodson said: "The local authority should take the lead on developing the infrastructure. Any architect or landowner is only responsible for one estate.

"If this area is in the local plan it is up to the authority to change the infrastructure. We have 19th century roads dealing with 21st century developments."

You can comment on the development by logging on to www.millenniumpark newwaltham.co.uk or www.millenniumpark humberston.co.uk

And share your views with the Grimsby Telegraph by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph .co.uk or by visiting www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk and commenting on this article.