'Urban sprawl' warning over 3,500-home plan

The proposed Grimsby West scheme would be near Great Coates

A developer has launched a public consultation over plans to build 3,500 homes in North East Lincolnshire.

The proposed Grimsby West site, near Great Coates, would include a new primary school, access road and community centres.

Developers Harworth Group and M.F. Strawson Ltd described the plan as "delivering a mix of housing and local facilities for a wide range of people".

However, a group of independent councillors who oppose the scheme said the area was “in danger of becoming one mass of urban sprawl”.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Independent Group for North East Lincolnshire councillors were elected after running a campaign against the development.

The group said the 3,500 homes “will concrete over a huge swathe of the countryside” and cause more congestion on local roads and increased pressure on local services, such as health services.

The developers said a country park would be built to give “a protective buffer” to the River Freshney and claimed the area would have a "diverse ecological and recreational green infrastructure".

On its website, the scheme is described as having "energy efficient housing" and that it supports "sustainable travel".

A drop-in session is planned at the Pelham Suite in Cambridge Road, Grimsby, from 16:30-19:30 GMT on 3 December.

The public can also send in comments via the development's website.

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