PLANS to create a 17-acre country park on the site of the former Macaulay Lane tip in Grimsby went on show to the public yesterday.
Representatives from landowner Millennium Park and planning consultant Frost Planning were at the Grimsby Auditorium to answer questions from local residents.
Millennium Park is proposing to decontaminate the 23.7-hectare former landfill site and create within that a 17-hectare country park.
Andy Frost, of Frost Planning, said the developer was aiming to submit a planning application for land remediation and a country park before the end of the month.
An outline planning application to build 250 homes on land to the east of tip was submitted in September, as reported.
The new country park will be located at the eastern edge of the former tip site, and will include a footpath and cycleway linking New Haven Terrace to Macaulay Street, trees, a wetland area and a pond.
Subject to planning approval, it is hoped that work will start by the second quarter of next year and be completed by the end of 2014.
Mr Frost said: "The country park will improve the experience for people walking in the area. Native trees and shrubs will be planted and the scheme has been designed to attract wildlife."
He said the developer had consulted extensively with both the Environment Agency and North East Lincolnshire Council, and added: "This is a chance for members of the public to see the different plans and ask any questions.
"Any comments that we receive which we feel are valid we will act on."
Graham Corser, of Millennium Park, said the developer would create the country park before handing it to the council to manage. He said there were no immediate plans to develop the remainder of the site, but added there could be in the future.
Proposals for development of the former landfill site began in 1997 when outline planning permission was granted.
That was renewed in 2001 and was due to last until 2006. Outline planning permission for the residential part of the site was renewed in 2007 and again in January 2010.
As reported, tests on the former rubbish tip had revealed traces of deadly chemicals such as ammonia and cyanide, which council environmental advisers said need further monitoring before they can be deemed safe for development.
