CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 152 homes on agricultural land in Laceby have been rejected.
Councillors yesterday voted to refuse the application to develop a site off Field Head Road due to concerns over traffic and its proximity to a neighbouring pig farm.
However, approval was given – at the third-time of asking – to a 145-home development off Humberston Road, Grimsby, after previous concerns about access were allayed.
Meanwhile, the planning committee deferred a decision on the proposal to build 233 homes on the site of Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital following a last-minute objection from Sport England about the possible impact on the site's cricket field.
As previously reported, planning officers had recommended the Laceby homes plan for approval, despite more than 90 letters of objection being received from residents.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, retired Wolds ward councillor Peter Mills, described the application by Humberside Land Developers Ltd, as "unacceptable" and said: "We are using agricultural land to satisfy a fictitious housing need."
He said the development would cause traffic problems, and increase the strain on already overcrowded schools and "inadequate" drainage.
The development proposed building houses within 70 metres of John Starkey's pig farm on Cooper Lane, and Mr Mills said complaints from residents about the smell could force him out of business.
Councillor Terry Thurogood (Lab, Croft Baker), said the development went against the council's Local Plan, which states that housing should not be built within 400 metres of an intensive livestock unit.
Although there was some uncertainty over what constituted "intensive", councillors voted 9-1 to reject the application.
Meanwhile, the committee unanimously approved the application to build 145 homes on land to the west of Humberston Road, Grimsby, close to Love Lane Corner roundabout.
A decision on the proposal, by Squarefalcon Developments Ltd, had twice been deferred due to concerns about the access to the site.
However, councillors were satisfied that an amendment to the proposal, which involves creating an extra lane for cars exiting onto Humberston Road, would prevent traffic backing up into the site, as was previously feared.
Councillors voted to defer a decision on the plan to build 233 homes off Forsythia Drive, within the grounds of Grimsby's Hospital.
Recommending approval, planning officer Martin Dixon said the proposal was an acceptable development in an "eminently sustainable location right in the heart of Grimsby".
But he said an objection had been received yesterday morning from Sport England, asking for clarification of how the scheme would impact upon the hospital's cricket field.
The letter claimed that some of the residential units would encroach onto the field, and suggested they be moved elsewhere within the site.
Ann Hargreaves, planning agent for the hospital trust, said: "I'm confident all the issues raised by Sport England can be resolved."
The planning committee also approved the following applications:
- Five homes on land at Church Lane, Humberston.
- The demolition of a bungalow at Strands, Waltham Road, Brigsley, and the building of three detached houses.
- To renew approval for the one detached house on land next to 40 Bradley Road, Bradley.
- Alterations to a proposed house on land at Church Lane, Brigsley.
