Flood concerns halts plan for 300 homes
COUNCILLORS AND MP OPPOSE DEVELOPMENT
PLANS for up to 300 homes near Snaith which drew objections from the Environment Agency, a local MP, residents and councillors over flooding have been refused.
East Riding Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to refuse developers Gladman’s application to build homes on farmland off Butt Lane, between Snaith and West Cowick.
Cllr Liz Sargeantson, committee member and ward member for Snaith and Rawcliffe and Marshlands, said locals had “suffered enough” after floods in February.
The committee heard the Environment Agency had received no information from the applications convincing them the homes would not be at risk of flooding.
Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy said in a letter to the committee there were “credible” concerns the homes could be at risk, especially in light of flooding there in February.
The MP added he met with Highways England officials after residents also objected over concerns local roads could not cope with the amount of homes proposed.
Mr Percy said after the meeting: “This is the right decision by the council to reject this development.
“The proposal was strongly opposed by myself and local residents as we were deeply concerned that most of the proposed developments are on land outside the Local Plan, and there is simply insufficient infrastructure to support them.
“Snaith is a lovely, developing town which has seen a number of new homes in recent years. This proposal would have taken the development beyond what is sustainable.”
Council highways officers recommended the plans be refused and Highways England stated it could not back them without further information on the impact on local infrastructure.
Developers stated in their application the homes would be in a suitable location, with good cycling and walking links to surrounding villages and on land deemed a low flood risk.
They added it would make a “valuable” contribution to the area and county’s housing stock, helping to meet the Government’s target to build 300,000 homes a year.
But the Environment Agency said it could not deem the site safe from flooding given the events of February and that its flood risk one status could be reviewed.
Cllr Sargeantson said she not support the plans residents’ fears.
The councillor said: “Snaith residents have suffered enough from flooding this year and they don’t need the extra stress of excessive traffic that these homes would bring.” could given
Cllr Caroline Fox, also of Snaith and Rawcliffe and Marshlands ward, said the proposed site was in open county and not earmarked for house building.
Cllr Fox said: “Snaith has already delivered on its local housing requirements, this development would be absolutely terrible.
“There are concerns over traffic congestion and road safety, the proposed access road of Butt Lane is not a single track road but it might as well be.”