Council answer criticisms over housing development

Published on 31st May 2007 in News

The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has taken up concerns from residents living near the Ben Bailey Housing Development Reuben's Reach, at the end of Bretton Avenue in Goole, that the hours of operation specified in the planning permission were being exceeded, as claimed in our article last week.

The council has stated that the developer agreed to comply with the authorised hours and the council had not received any indication that a breach of planning control had continued. The authorised hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday. Residents are asked to contact the council's planning enforcement section if these hours are not being adhered to.

The housing site was chosen for development in the Local Plan and after a full assessment of alternative site options. The council stated that it is surrounded by residential development and is conveniently located for easy access to employment and the full range of facilities and services in Goole.

ERYC also states that all sites in Goole have potential flooding problems but the council has to continue to cater for the needs of development in the area. The Environment Agency, which is the government body responsible for flood advice, has agreed flood alleviation measures for the site.

The council is also satisfied that site access via Bretton Avenue is adequate to serve the development and that there is no suitable direct access from Hook Road.

The council also said they appreciated that during construction there would inevitably be some disturbance to local residents and that the use of a road sweeper to minimise dust and dirt on the access roads was accepted as good practice. Although the use of wheel-wash facilities had been suggested by residents as a more effective measure, experience indicated that this does not necessarily remove the problem.

Ben Bailey's site manager, Dave Linstead, said: "If any of the residents have any queries or complaints they are quite welcome to come onto the site and speak to me or have a look round."