A PETITION containing more than 370 names, opposing the development of a new football stadium, has been handed to the council.
As reported, Grimsby Town Football Club has teamed up with Simons Development Ltd to "investigate the viability" of using a 22.7-hectare plot of land off Peaks Parkway for a new stadium – which could also have community use – and a retail outlet.
The publicly-owned site sits between the Parkway and Weelsby Avenue. It is mainly green space, but also houses redundant council buildings and allotments, and is near to Oasis Academy Wintringham.
The petition – which included 379 names – was received at a North East Lincolnshire Cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon.
During the meeting, one of the petition organisers, Paula McAfee addressed the council.
The Weelsby Avenue resident said: "Weelsby Avenue and its side streets are residential areas largely removed from busy retail or industrial developments and together enjoy a semi-rural outlook provided by the retention of a restraint corridor and easy access to a country setting enjoyed by residents and non residents alike.
"Any development on this land will contribute to urban sprawl and ruin the desirable natural barrier zone between Grimsby and New Waltham.
"The proposed site in question encompasses three distinct fields, the allotments and a redundant council depot.
"The fields are in constant use for leisure purposes and the allotments have existed under a statutory classification for many decades.
"It is also next to a cemetery and crematorium which is in a packet of land given to people by a covenant of Lord Heneage specifically for its isolated nature and peaceful setting.
"The site also contains two areas of archaeological importance and has a diverse range of wildlife as outlined in previous feasibility studies which includes bats, crested newts, water voles, foxes and many birds which are entitled to legal protection.
As well as environmental issues, Mrs McAfee raised issues about the possibility of increased traffic.
She added: "Residents in the area are highly concerned about Weelsby Avenue becoming a main access route to a stadium and retail store which will entail around the clock traffic.
"The road itself already struggles to cope with school and crematorium traffic.
"Any retail store would be hugely unnecessary as there are already multiple supermarkets within a one or two mile radius of the proposed side.
"There is a concern for the nature of the area and the clear property devaluation that such a development will cause.
"How can the council justify the anxiety and distress caused to residents for a perceived profit?"
The council accepted the petition and will take it into consideration if plans to build a stadium go ahead.
Council leader Chris Shaw added: "At this time all we can do is make a note of the opposition. There has not been a decision made about it but when there is we will take the petition into consideration."
