Residents vent frustration over plans to build on greenfield land

CONCERN about the levels of development being proposed for greenfield sites was once again the burning issue for residents who attended the latest public consultation event on the council's new Local Plan.

The fourth and final consultation event, held in Grimsby Central Library, attracted a solid turnout, with residents keen to have their say on the future development of North East Lincolnshire.

As reported, the council is currently consulting on its draft Local Plan, which is due to be implemented in 2015

The document sets out which areas in the borough could accommodate new housing, in order to meet the council's target of providing 12,000 new homes by 2030.

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However, the council is inviting members of the public to suggest alternative sites for development.

One Scartho resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I'm very concerned that developers want to build on greenfield sites. There are several brownfield sites not yet developed. At Scartho Top there are still another 1,200 houses to be built, so why do we need all these others?

"I think this sort of consultation is very important. The development will happen, we can't stop it, so we need to say where we want it to happen."

The man added: "A big worry for me is the fact that Grimsby Town want to develop the site by the crematorium off the Peaks Parkway. That must not be allowed to happen."

Mike Swaby, 79, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, said: "I understand that developers can make a profit more easily by using a greenfield site, but for the long-term benefit of Grimsby it would be better for brownfield sites to be built on first.

"I can imagine that the people in Humberston don't want any more development there."

Mr Swaby also said the deteriorating state of Freeman Street was a major concern, and added that it would take a huge "catalytic" project, such as a giant casino, or even a passenger ferry terminal, to revive its fortunes.

"We have got magnificent cargo ships coming into Grimsby but we haven't got a passenger facility, which is a shame."

Residents have until Friday, December 7 to have their say on the Local Plan.

You can comment online at http://nelincs.objective.co.uk/portal/, email newlocalplan@nelincs.gov or send written responses to Spatial Planning, Origin One, 1 Origin Way, Grimsby, DN37 9TZ.