Burton upon Stather: Villagers concerned about Kingsferry Wharf revival

Some locals are concerned about plans to revive Kingsferry Wharf

A plan to revive a wharf on the River Trent has been met with opposition from villagers.

Following a permit application for handling "cementitious-based products" at Kingsferry Wharf in Burton upon Stather, near Scunthorpe, a campaign group was formed.

The wharf, opened in the 1970s, has had little to no major activity for decades.

The site's tenants, MCL Solutions Ltd, has been contacted for a response.

Locals (from left) Kev Gray, Jenny Emmett, Steve Smith and Simon Nicholson

The Kingsferry Wharf's website and LinkedIn page, run by MCL Solutions Ltd, highlight renovations carried out since becoming the tenants about a year ago.

New equipment, including cranes, has been installed and the first commercial vessel in many years used the wharf last autumn.

However, residents claimed the wharf was "an outdated facility" that had "run its course", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The permit application to the Port of Hull and Goole Health Authority, which is a port authority, was withdrawn early last month. Villagers, however, viewed this as only a skirmish victory.

"It was rescinded within 10 days of the [campaign] leaflets being handed out," said Roger Neal, one of the campaigners.

Kingsferry Wharf has existed since the 1970s, though a Royal Charter for a Burton port dates back to 1342.

For resident Simon Nicholson, the original wharf permission in 1965 was a mistake, adding it is "not fit for purpose in today's world from an access point of view".

"The village believes it's an outdated facility," he said. "This village has been allowed to develop into a residential area."

'Amphitheatre effect'

The wharf is only accessible by the steeply sloping Stather Road. Along that road, and at the bottom of the village, are more homes and The Ferry House pub is next door.

Long-term residents' memories, along with parish council documents, suggest there were concerns around dust, noise and traffic during the wharf's previous busiest period of activity between the 1970s and 1990s.

"I lived here when the lorries lined up every day from about 5.30pm," recalled Kev Gray.

Another resident Jenny Emmett, who lives at the top of the hill, warned of an "amphitheatre effect" with noise from the riverside if the wharf were to be fully revived. 

"The noise will be intolerable for people down here," she said.

According to The Ferry House's publican, Steve Smith, floodlights have been installed at the wharf.

"It's like living in Iceland during the summer," he said.

Mr Nicholson said he had raised concerns with MCL Solutions Ltd and was told it was liaising with the parish council.

The company has held a virtual meeting with members of the parish council, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]