by Rebecca Hannant
Plans to build 195 additional homes next to the Hornsea Burton housing estate have been approved.
In December 2021, Gleeson Regeneration submitted an application to build 206 homes to the east and south of the estate, which was later revised to 195 homes on an area comprising 7.8 hectares. The houses will be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom homes and bungalows.
The carriageway of Hornsea Burton Road will be widened to 6.4m, making way for a two-way road and pedestrian access. An extra play space and sports provisions will also be included.
However, several nearby residents have raised concerns about the impact on local services and the environment.
The application was discussed by East Riding Council’s planning committee on October 13.
Hornsea Burton Road resident Mr Curry told the meeting: “I live opposite the field that is up for planning acceptance. I have spoken to many residents, and they are very much opposed to the plan. Several concerns we have about this plan include that only three per cent of the properties on this development are marked for affordable housing.
“We also have an ageing population in Hornsea, and there are very few bungalows in the plan. Of the 195 homes, only nine per cent are intended to be bungalows. This does not show consideration for the high percentage of elderly Hornsea residents and for people coming up for retirement soon. Existing bungalows are in short supply.
“Most of the houses seem to be aimed at the higher end of the market. Gleeson claims that it intends to build houses for people on low incomes. The reduction from 15 per cent to three per cent is a poor attempt at building homes for people on low incomes.
“Hornsea Burton Road is very well used throughout the year but during the popular months from March to October, the traffic increases greatly. The traffic survey carried out last year was inadequate and did not reflect the volume of traffic at the busiest times. Hornsea Burton Road is very narrow and even with the proposed widening
it will still be hazardous with the increased traffic which will include lorries, vans, coaches, buses, caravans and lodge transportation.”
Mr Curry’s comments reflected many of the objections raised on the East Riding planning website. Concerns raised also cited the general facilities in Hornsea being “lacking” with no bank, only one GP practice, no NHS dental facilities or hospital, and very few ATMs. Flooding and drainage issues were also raised, with fears that climate change may result in similar events to the 2007 floods.
Town councillor June Greensmith told the Gazette: “This development has divided opinions. Many don’t want Hornsea to grow in population as infrastructure will struggle. Others want to know that there will be homes for the next generation, otherwise they will have to leave Hornsea. The experts tell us all will be well. Locals disagree. Only time is going tell us who was right.”
Emily Barratt, land graduate for the Yorkshire East Region of Gleeson Homes, which was
recently given the go-ahead to build 199 homes in Withernsea, told the planning meeting: “Gleeson specialises in the provision of entry-level housing aimed at first-time buyers, giving customers like myself at the lower end of the housing market a chance to afford to buy their own home.
“We are developing 80-plus sites across the north of England, and we are continuing to grow. The proposal before you is for the development of 195 homes in Hornsea, which will provide much-needed affordable home ownership in this area.
“On this new development, we intend to sell a new house of a current starting price of £166,000, which is affordable for a couple on the current national living wage. We are proposing to have 19 of these homes as affordable units with five of those under the new first homes scheme.
“When sold through this scheme a first-time buyer will be able to purchase one of these homes for a discount market value of 30 per cent with a five per cent deposit. All homes on the development will also include new air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points in line with the new building regulations.
“Gleeson are all about home ownership – we do not sell to private landlords or subletters. It is our hope that especially in these difficult times, a predominantly first-time buyer- led, low-cost home ownerships scheme is supported by members.
“Gleeson will also continue to roll out our community matters programme on this site from apprenticeships to sponsorship of local junior sports teams.”
“At Gleeson our mission is to build affordable quality homes where they are needed for the people that need them the most.”
The planning application was approved on the grounds that it has potential to develop Hornsea. In total eight councillors supported the application, with three against.
