Veterans’ village mental health fears

PLANNING: Residents say their mental health will be affected by the building of a veterans’ village on Green Belt land on the outskirts of Hull.

During lockdown, the green space which is earmarked for housing for veterans, has become increasingly important for locals who use it for exercise, and as a place for children to play.

RESIDENTS SAY their mental health will be affected by the building of a veterans’ village on Green Belt land on the outskirts of Hull.

During lockdown, the green space off Coronation Road, which is earmarked for housing for veterans, has become increasingly important for locals who use it for exercise, walking their dogs and as a place for their children to play.

Hull councillors are being recommended to approve charity Hull4Heroes’ plans for the site. As well as 48 homes, the proposals, which have been backed by landowner Hull Council, include a horticultural therapy and rehabilitation facility, market garden and garden centre.

Hull4Heroes was set up by ex-soldier Paul Matson who returned to Hull after working on the BBC’s DIY SOS creating a “Veterans’ Street” in Manchester.

The large area – over 24 acres – includes an area of open space, which forms part of the Hull’s green network as well as ancient meadows on the East Riding side of the boundary.

Environmentalists have raised concerns over the impact on three acres of grassland, which contain rare species of orchid, and are considered the “most botanically rich” in the Hull Valley.

On the former school site on the Hull side, volunteers have planted a community orchard and run activities including community picnics and bug hunts.

Helen Raven-Bennett, who was with her daughter Freya, seven, said it was an outlet for people living in cramped homes and contained a wealth of wildlife including newts, deers and foxes.

She said: “We have been told by teachers to do for walks, enjoy the open spaces, while home schooling. Even on a grey day it is beautiful. If we didn’t have this on our doorstep, our mental health would have suffered a lot more.”

However she said she would no longer feel comfortable taking her child there if the fields became a rehabilitation centre.

The charity plans to build a multi-use games area (MUGA), but Sports England is objecting to the loss of 4.3 hectares of former school playing fields. Even if approved locally, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State.

Another resident said she had been told residents could use the MUGA, when other groups were not using it. She said: “That’s not the same – at the moment people can come on whenever. There are children on it all the time, it’s a place for them to play safety.”

Mr Matson said he understood people’s worries, but said the village had been “specially designed to allow the community to use it”.

They were working with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to ensure “everything is done in the correct way to bring wildlife in”.

He added: “We need the local community to be on board. Them and us is the wrong way. Hull4Heroes’ motto is Stronger Together.”

There are children on it all the time, it’s a place for them to play safety.

Local campaigner Helen Raven-Bennett.