Have your say on sites earmarked for housing
COUNCIL SEEKING VIEWS OF PUBLIC
PEOPLE are to be given a chance to have their say on long-term plans for three new major development sites in Hull.
They include currently open land around Hull KR’S Craven Park stadium and a site on the edge of city centre that includes the derelict vandal-hit former Blundell Street Board School.
A third large greenfield site is in East Carr, close to Holderness Drain and the city’s eastern boundary with the East Riding, which has already attracted strong objections from nearby residents.
All three have been identified for potential new housing. Public consultations on how each site should be developed over the next few years are expected to given the go-ahead by senior Hull councillors next week.
They will mark the next steps in a process aimed at giving developers clear guidance on what council planners expect to see when applications are finally submitted, including policies covering land use at each site.
Craven Park
The home of Hull Kingston Rovers in Preston Road is surrounded on three sides by large areas of open space and existing buildings.
The idea is to bring all the available land together in a regeneration project featuring new housing, leisure and employment uses
along with improved open areas.
Current options include refurbishing the existing Waudby Sports Centre, upgrading outdoor community sports pitches, building new homes to the east of the stadium and creating new greenspace areas featuring surface water drainage systems within the design.
Specific sites for new businesses have also been identified.
Brunswick House and The Strand
A sprawling site off Beverley Road which includes the Grade II listed former Blundell Street Board School, which has been a derelict landmark for more than 20 years.
Also known as The Strand, the privately owned building was severely damaged by fire in 2016.
The council is looking to acquire it through a compulsory purchase order.
The side also includes Brunswick House, which is currently used as offices by the council, and the late-victorian Brunswick
Arcade shopping parade and upper-floor flats fronting Beverley Road. Both the derelict school and Brunswick House could be converted into residential use with new housing built on surrounding open land.
East Carr
The 30-hectare site is allocated for housing under the council’s Local Plan although a third of the land is not considered to be suitable for development because of flood risk.
Residents living in nearby Danby Close have led opposition to the idea of building on the site, claiming it should stay as open countryside.
So far, the idea of housing development thee has attracted two protest petitions containing just under 2,500 signatures even before a planning application has been submitted.
Other concerns include potential traffic congestion on surrounding roads and wider flood risk issues.
A CYCLIST has won £17,000 in damages after being hit by a car on a busy “nightmare” roundabout in north Hull.
Former BBC Humberside presenter Steve Redgrave was thrown off his bike on the Ennerdale roundabout as he made his way to work in the city centre.
The driver, who did not dispute the legal action, hit Mr Redgrave, who was wearing his high-visibility jacket, as he cycled from Thomas Clarkson Way onto the roundabout, before he was able to take his exit onto Ennerdale.
The accident left the 59-year-old with a broken collarbone, which was fractured in three places, and had to have surgery to put a metal plate along the length of the broken bone.
He also fractured his right thumb, which had to be pinned into place, severe bruising to his ribs and knee and some temporary nerve issues along the length of his left arm.
He has now received £17,500 in damages after pursuing a personal injury claim through Hull-based specialists Hudgell Solicitors.
Mr Redgrave, who worked for the BBC for 27 years, said he is sure many car drivers don’t see or think about cyclists. He said: “It was obviously a huge shock to be hit, especially given it was a bright sunny morning and visibility was good.
“I was on the roundabout and approaching my lane to leave it, when suddenly, I was hit from the left and sent sprawling onto the road. You are just left in shock when something like that happens.
“As a commuting cyclist for many years, I have always found roundabouts in the city a nightmare to negotiate. They’re very busy at peak times and I’m sure many car drivers simply don’t see or think about bikes.”
Mr Redgrave has welcomed the new cycle lanes which have been introduced on a number of Hull’s busiest roads, saying he believes they will make cyclists safer.
“I certainly try and use cycle lanes when I can. Cyclists put their lives in their own hands,” he said.
“I see new cycle lanes are being added to Hull’s roads and streets. If the cycling network is done properly I think it’ll be a very good thing.
“I used to bike five miles to and from work. It’s good exercise, good for the environment and if enough people do it, and it would cut congestion and pollution.
“Not to mention making it safer for cyclists, some who’ve come off even worse than I have.”
Mr Redgrave said the accident has made him more aware of cyclists when he is driving himself and hopes others will be too.
Solicitor Sarah Kidd, a personal injury claims specialist at Hudgell Solicitors, said: “This was a case where there was no disputing who was at fault and Steve suffered a number of injuries which caused pain and discomfort for some time.
“He was well supported by his employer, who continued to pay him while he was off work, but his injuries impacted on both him and his family, as he was unable to do many day-to-day tasks.
“Thankfully, he has made a good recovery and we were pleased to be able to reach this settlement.”
THE family of “one-of-a-kind” footballer Harry Thomas have encouraged Bridlington residents to give him the “best send-off possible” as they announced the route of his funeral procession.
The service is due to take place at East Riding Crematorium in Octon today.
It will be preceded by a cortege passing through the streets of Bridlington.
It will pass by significant locations that have played a part in Harry’s life, which was cut tragically short at just 23 years of age by a car crash in Leven on Thursday, January 28.
The procession will leave Jubilee Avenue at 9.45am on Friday, before passing along Sewerby Road, Fortyfoot, Queensgate and past Bridlington Town Football Club.
It will then turn left on to Quay Road, Station Avenue, on to Bessingby Hill and passing the perimeter of the CYP football grounds, before turning left at Easton Road and heading on to Octon.
Due to lockdown restrictions, only family and invited friends are allowed to attend the funeral service.
In a joint statement the family said: “We would like to invite all who had the pleasure of knowing Harry to line the streets to give our amazing boy the best send-off possible.
“Le t’s celebrate Harry’s Life and truly show just how much our beautiful boy is, and always will be loved.”
Harry leaves behind partner Hollie-may Kinder and two children, mum and step-dad Amanda and Phillip Ibbotson, dad Andrew Thomas and step-mum April Coates, and siblings Dylan, Finlay and Natasha Thomas, Spencer Goodacre, Trinity and Anya Ibbotson.
The keen footballer was playing for Bridlington Rovers Football Club before the tragic accident.
“The club is devastated to hear of the tragic loss of one of its players, Harry Thomas, who has passed away,” a spokesman for the club said shortly after the sad news of his death first came to light.
“A well respected player, club man and true friend, he was liked by everyone who knew him.
“The thoughts of everyone at Bridlington Rovers Football Club go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
One of his former clubs, Bridlington Town, also joined the tributes.
“Harry was a very popular well liked guy he was so pleasant and polite it really is sad.
The thoughts of everyone at Bridlington Town football club go out to all of Harry’s family and friends at this really sad time.”