News 500 new homes set for Howden
Five hundred new homes are looming on the horizon for Howden following a decision by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) to release land north of Minster Park for development.
The decision comes just months after Howden Town Council voiced its concern about rumours that a vast number of houses, as well as a potential link road, could be on its way to the town and would be situated north of Minster Park, on undeveloped land between Shelford Avenue and Howden train station.
At the time ERYC quashed the rumours, claiming that the land had not yet been allocated for development under the Joint Structure Plan and that other sites were currently preferable.
But early last month, ERYC did a U-turn when it released the land for development, and rumours now abound that 500 houses have been earmarked for the site, along with the possibility of a link road between Station Road and Barn Hill.
:The Council has a responsibility to decide which sites developers should be allowed to build on to meet the area's share of needs for new housing," said Peter Ashcroft, ERYC's forward planning manager.
"We do this by identifying sites in our plans, having considered a number of factors, such as which parts of the East Riding should be a focus for development and whether a site is close to environmentally sensitive areas.
"As well as providing essential new homes, new housing development helps the local economy by increasing spending in local businesses and ensures people can live close to their workplace.
"The western part of the East Riding, which includes Goole, Snaith and Howden, does not have enough land allocated for development over the coming years and this particular site is the most suitable to be released next."
A spokesperson from ERYC added that the Council agreed to the development of the site in principle, but the developers would need to submit a planning application in the normal way.
The spokesperson said: "A development brief was agreed in 2001, outlining what would be acceptable on the site. We have agreed to review this brief in light of the recent decision to release the site for development and take account of recent information, including Government guidance.
"Recent indications from the Government are suggesting that around 40 per cent of the housing on the site should be 'affordable housing', but this will need to be balanced with various other considerations."
The site's developers consist of Hoveden Builders, Howpark Development and The Sweeting Trust. George Wright, an agent acting on behalf of the developers, said this week that it was too early to lay down any specifications for the site, including the number of houses and the possibility of a link road through the site.
"This is a site that was always allocated for development in the Local Plan," said Mr Wright.
"With a site of this size and scale, a huge amount of work has to be done before it can progress, and the Council recognises that this will take a great deal of time.
"In the future, there will no doubt be a public consultation that will include Howden Town Council and the residents of Howden."
Hugh Roberts, Town Mayor for Howden, told the Goole Times that Howden Town Council was keen to ensure that the best 'mix' of housing comes to the town.
He said: "The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has seen fit to release this land, and I understand that although council planners could meet with developers in the near future, there is no planning application at the moment.
"Now we hope that developers can place a good mix of houses on the site, such as family homes and starter homes - something that we haven't had in Howden recently.
"We haven't got a choice now about this, it will happen, so I hope the Town Council can talk to planners and developers to make sure that we get the best for Howden.
"It could have been three, four or five years before anything happens on this site, or it could be five months, no one knows."
Published on 11th October 2007 in News.
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