CAMPAIGNERS fighting against plans to build 400 homes in Humberston are urging others to join them at a meeting with developers next week.
The Save Our Fields action group is gearing up for yet another battle against the bulldozers at the first meeting with bosses behind the Millennium Development, on 64 acres of land at the New Waltham end of Humberston Avenue.
The exact plans for the land have not yet been unveiled to the public, many of whom are concerned about the number of developments coming to the Humberston and New Waltham area.
As reported, Keystone Developments also want to build 400 homes on four fields in Humberston Avenue belonging to the Joseph Ogle Trust, and there is another plan for a further 110 homes to be built on the former Humberston Golf Club.
Nikki Hale, leader of Save Our Fields, said: "I am hoping people will come and register their objections with the developer just as we did with Keystone Developments and the Humberston Park Golf Club.
"It is important that people realise these developments are not needed. We have already got severe congestion on the road networks in New Waltham and Humberston with our existing traffic.
"If there is some desperate need for additional housing in North East Lincolnshire then why is more not being done to get existing developments finished? North East Lincolnshire Council should be putting more pressure on the owners of urban, brown field sites to make them fit for development. We are losing more and more green sites on the outskirts of town and in town. It is rotting and decaying at its core.
"I want people to stand with us and say no to this together."
The local landowners behind the development will also be there and have said they are "committed" to including community projects on up to 30 acres of the 64 acre site.
The meeting – taking place on Saturday, October 27, at Humberston Country Club from 9am to noon, and again at New Waltham Village Hall, from 1pm to 4pm – is a chance for the developers to have their say and to listen to the residents.
Andy Gutherson, planning consultant and Hugh Macpherson, of Hodson's Architects, will be at the meeting.
Mr Gutherson said: "The landowners have said since unveiling this plan, that the community can help shape it. This is a chance for residents to come and let us know what they would like to see as part of any development."
They have stressed that the houses will reflect those built on Humberston Avenue, and the development will also include extensive woodland and lakes. Thousands of trees and hedges have already been planted and links to existing footpaths and cycle trails have been created.
New Waltham resident, Lisa Gibson, added: "This is an excellent opportunity to not only ensure the properties and layout reflect the needs of the character of the area, but also to work in the 'nice-to-haves' that we all wish we had. A sizeable plot has been designated for community use – the possibilities are endless.
"I would urge people to go along and take up the opportunity to influence the way this project develops."
Lisa is recruiting new members for a community planning group.
To find out more, log onto www.facebook.com/newwalthamcommunity.
