Every aspect of the Grimsby West proposal will be “open and transparent”, says Council Leader Philip Jackson.
Speaking at tonight’s full council meeting in Grimsby Town Hall, Coun Jackson responded to a question from resident Lyndsey Downes about the development.
As reported, the outline proposal – which is at a very early stage – is a key project in the council’s ambition to improve sustainable transport options, and reduce congestion, journey times and vehicle emissions across the borough.
The council has applied to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for a total of up to £50million to allow progress to be made on three key highways schemes and two further projects around the A180 infrastructure on the entry way into Grimsby, upgrading the capacity to access employment opportunities on the South Humber bank.
The Western Relief Road project has been earmarked for some time, having been included initially in the Local Plan, which was adopted in 2018. The road, which would run between the A46 near Morrisons roundabout and the A1136 junction on the A180, would also support the delivery of a housing site of about 3500 new homes, provide easier access for people to get to the port areas for work, relieve other areas of the borough that suffer from high traffic volumes, and also contribute to improving air quality in other areas.
It is not without controversy, however, with protestors outside the Town Hall greeting councillors as they arrived at tonight’s meeting, holding placards and chanting ‘Say No To Grimsby West’. Among other issues, they are concerned about the environmental impact of the development and are questioning the necessity of more new housing.
Mrs Downes, who is part of a campaign group established against the plan, asked: “The proposed Grimsby West Urban Extension of 3,800 new houses and Grimsby Western Relief Road will have a massive impact on local residents, traffic levels and local services.
“There is widespread opposition to these plans from local people who were never properly engaged when these plans were drawn up several years ago. This council states frequently that it is a ‘listening council’.
“Can the Council Leader state when a formal consultation with local people will commence and what form it will take?”
Councillor Jackson replied: “I very much welcome the public interest and interaction regarding this future potential development. By their very nature, such developments are always contentious and there are many factors to consider. Only by consulting with local resident and, indeed, those from a cross the borough, can we try to reach a settled consensus.
“Firstly, I just want to make it clear that the Grimsby west site is allocated for about 3,500 homes plus supporting infrastructure, not 3,800.
“The Local Plan was consulted on extensively during its five years of preparation. Consultation included a well-publicised media campaign, online consultation options, emails and letters to residents, stakeholders, and statutory bodies, along with various public consultation events that were hosted at NELC’s council offices in Grimsby, local libraries, and local events at Laceby, Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
“All consultations included information on the Grimsby West Urban Extension proposals, and it is important to highlight that these consultation opportunities were well-publicised and met the legislative requirements, assessed, and accepted by the inspector at examination. There was also the opportunity for members of the public to speak at the Planning Inspector’s public examination of the Local Plan.
“The Local Plan was considered in detail and unanimously adopted by the full council in March 2018. Many of those who voted in favour of it are part of the full council meeting this evening, including the leaders of the three main political parties.
“The next steps on this journey for the Grimsby West development are now being taken with a revised master plan being drawn up by the private sector housing developers.
“Meanwhile, the road is the subject of a Central Government Levelling Up Fund bid. We will hear about the success, or otherwise, of the bid in the autumn and it is only if that is successful, that a detailed business case for the road will be required at that stage.
“Future consultation – if the scheme goes ahead at this time – will have two stages. First will be consultation on a Masterplan for the proposed site. This will shape the high-level layout of proposals for both the development site and the road and will offer the public an opportunity to have their say.
“Second will be consultation on planning applications, which consider the finer detail of layout and construction. Members of the public will be invited to submit comments. Every aspect of the development will have to go through the full planning process and will be open and transparent. Both Natural England and the Environment Agency will be statutory consultees as part of that process. Both organisations are, quite rightly, very demanding when it comes to putting in place proper ecological and environmental protections and have the power to block planning applications.”
Read more about the project here.
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