Scunthorpe housing scheme on Quibell Park deferred

Controversial plans to build a new 77-home estate on land North Lincolnshire Council plans to sell in Scunthorpe, have been deferred for councillors to visit it.

The land, on Dartmouth Road, south of Quibell Park stadium, has been hotly contested by campaigners who want it to remain available for community use.

However, North Lincolnshire councillors rejected a 2,475 signature petition last year, opting to promote the need for affordable housing.

The plans describe how just 15 of the 77 houses would be affordable “for discount market housing” and six bungalows were proposed for “private sales to the over 55 age group”.

Objectors raised concerns over the loss of open space, the effect on nearby traffic and drainage.

In particular, they disputed that the park had not been used.

Speaking following the meeting Cheryl Hassall, who handed in the petition last year said: “We pleased we get a site visit rather than them just going head and passing it, but what we really want is for them to reject it.

“The park is very important, we have enjoyed being the football there, our children learnt to ride their bikes there and there’s been quite a lot of other sport take place on it.

“It’s still a crucial part of the community.”

Other objectors said they hoped councillors would pay keen attention to the narrowness of certain roads, and the effect on visibility from two recently built bungalows near to a local school.

One resident said during the meeting there had been “several near misses.”

A report before the council stated the site would be suitable for up to 91 houses.

It said there was a surplus of sports facilities in Scunthorpe with demand being met elsewhere.

The applicant argued the site was allocated for housing, and said it was well served by transport and local amenities.

They said they had moved to address drainage concerns, including underground crates and an attenuation pond.

The council was set to ask for around £564,000 of developers’ contributions towards education, leisure and recreation.

The petition submitted in May and organised by local resident Cheryl Hassall, was backed by Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin, who said building on the Quibell Fields “would be a terrible mistake”, and Labour group leader Len Foster who called on the authority to “think again.

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