COUNCIL officers have backed plans to build 400 homes in Humberston – but campaigners have warned "the fight is not over yet".
North East Lincolnshire Council officers have made a recommendation to approve Keystone Developments' outline planning application to build a retirement village and affordable housing on four fields off Humberston Avenue.
Now the Save Our Fields campaign group is urging fellow villagers to unite together at the planning committee meeting at Grimsby Town Hall next Wednesday when the decision will be made on the plan.
Campaign frontwoman Nikki Hale said: "We are aware of what the planning officers have recommended, but the fight is far from over.
"We will be speaking at the meeting. We have looked through their decision and the grounds they have recommended it on and we have counter arguments for all of them.
"We are now looking for our councillors to do the right thing. It will be irresponsible of them to keep approving these developments when there are so many unfinished around or developments that are sitting there completely empty.
"We want as many people there at the meeting to support us as possible. We have people coming to the meeting straight from their night shifts because people feel so strongly about this."
As reported, residents oppose the development – which was first mooted over a year ago – because they fear it will bring increased traffic to the area, cause flooding problems and ruin the character of the avenue.
It is one of three developments earmarked for the avenue – including another 400 homes at Millennium Park and 110 homes at the former golf course – and surrounding area, including a 1,500-home "urban extension" at Weelsby Hall Farm.
Humberston, New Waltham, Waltham, Healing and Stallingborough are earmarked to make up 45 per cent of the housing need in North East Lincolnshire by 2030, as reported.
Officers have recommended approval because it will "significantly contribute towards the authority's identified housing need" and it "offers a mix of housing which would address a local need".
They also state: "While the applicant has identified some areas that adverse impacts are likely to arise, such as increased traffic generation and habitat impact, the mitigation measures are proposed by the developer are considered satisfactory to address and mitigate the concerns."
Councillor Steve Norton (Humberston, Cons) said the number of developments for his ward was down to "speculative greed".
He said: "We are very disappointed it has reached this stage. We support the residents in their opposition and believe there are some very good material reasons for why it shouldn't go ahead.
"We already have sufficient housing available within the area and many that have been given approval and nothing has happened yet – the Carr and Carr Builders development off Louth Roundabout for example.
"It is speculative greed of the developers who want a decision to be given then sit on it until the economic climate allows them to go ahead."
Keystone Developments did not want to comment.
