February 5, 2020 10.50 am This story is over 52 months old

Council could force purchase of North East Lincolnshire land for development

Negotiations have been ongoing for some time.
The council is looking to open up 64 hectares of farmland at the Stallingborough Junction as part of the SHIIP programme.

North East Lincolnshire Council could force the purchase of two parcels of land to support a key infrastructure project after delays in negotiations.

The South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) is a major economic project which includes the provision of more than 190 hectares of quality serviced industrial sites and the creation of the South Humber Bank Link Road to improve the connectivity between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby.

The authority has been looking to develop a 64 hectare area of land at the Stallingborough Interchange and 120 hectares of “mitigation land” to protect birds and other wildlife.

Reports before cabinet next week say it has so far managed to acquire 13 hectares of the development and 40 hectares of the mitigation site – with the creation of the Cress Marsh as part of that.

The Cress Marsh, which has already been created as part of the SHIIP programme, is already helping protect some wildlife.

However, they said: “Negotiations have been ongoing for the remainder of the land […] for some considerable while although as at the date of this report, it has not been possible to conclude such negotiations.

“On this basis, it is now necessary to prepare for the use of statutory Compulsory Purchase powers to acquire the land allow the council to progress this important scheme for the benefit of the borough.”

No figures have been given as to the value of such orders, however, officers will continue to negotiate in the meantime, said the report.

It warns that not doing so “will delay the land assembly process” and impact on potential revenue.

The SHIIP programme is estimated to create an additional £75 million income for the authority over the next 25 years.

It hopes to create the potential to employ 4,000 people.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.