by Michelle Horst
Proposals for a new housing development in Hornsea have sparked further concern among residents already worried about the increasing strain on local infrastructure.
Beverley-based developer Foxglove Homes has said it intends to submit plans to East Riding Council for 101 homes on land west of Rolston Road. This is opposite the site of a controversial 158-dwelling development by Keepmoat Homes, plans for which were originally refused but recently overturned on appeal.
The land earmarked by Foxglove Homes, south of Potter’s Way, is currently identified as suitable for residential development in East Riding Council’s Local Plan. Sources say the land is the last site identified in the Local Plan allocated for such development.
Sangwin Architects, planning and development consultants JohnsonMowat, and the directors of Foxglove Homes were present at an event revealing the draft proposals at Hornsea Golf Club on March 25.
After a leaflet drop in the area, organisers said the consultation was well-attended, with more than 100 people reviewing the designs.
The scheme of 101 homes includes 10 affordable homes and 20 bungalows. The developer said the specifications and designs were to be finalised following the public consultation.
Joe Fisher of JohnsonMowat said: “This is the pre-submission stage – the plans on display are subject to change based on the comments people leave.”
Following the approval of the Keepmoat development, some residents expressed anger and frustration at the “dreadful” timing.
One man said: “I thought this was about the Keepmoat houses going up near me. I didn’t know anything about these ones. I am so glad I came to look.”
Another said: “It’s hopeless. I feel helpless. What can you do?”
The developers said there had been no intention to mislead people with other developments and stressed that the Foxglove Homes scheme was in the pre-planning stage.
Tom Young, director of Foxglove Homes, confirmed access to the development would be via Rolston Road after the demolition of an existing bungalow.
He said: “It’s design-led – you have houses for every situation.”
Foxglove Homes says it takes pride in the fact that it is Beverley-based, saying it has worked in the area for some years, and they believe they know Hornsea well.
Mr Young added: “We had a positive response to our pre-application from East Riding Council. It is sympathetically designed. There’s a financial contribution under Section 106 for the schools and infrastructure.”
Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is a legal requirement and a condition of planning permission.
The development will also have to adhere to the East Riding Design Code. East Riding Council describes this as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and applies to all new planning applications. The code stresses developments should “sit comfortably in the landscape” and “encourages biodiverse and sustainable choices”.
Mr Young said: “We try to get a mix and range of properties, and we always try to work with the communities.”
Residents were keen to discover if the homes would be sustainable, but final design elements have yet to be confirmed.
People who live close by fear for the local wildlife. Pipistrelle bats, great crested newts, deer and squirrels live in the area.
Observant attendees noted that the closing date of the feedback form stated December 11. Joe Fisher clarified that this was because of a template document and administration error.
Additional traffic also concerned residents.
Pauline McCarthy said: “Hornsea just doesn’t have the infrastructure. Westgate can’t cope. Where is all this extra traffic supposed to go? It just isn’t designed for this. Vehicles are already mounting the kerbs.”
Another local resident who wished to remain anonymous said: “I don’t like the idea of 200 more cars here, or all the building noise we will have to put up with, but there’s lots more green space and the houses are a lot nicer than the ones they plan to build on the other side of the road.”
One couple who also did not wish to be named said: “We live in Greenacre Park, which is next door virtually. Our main concern is about the traffic numbers. Getting from Greenacre Park on to Rolston Road is hit and miss already.”
They also raised worries about construction traffic over the time it will take to build the 101 homes: “Whether they’re going to drive the lorries and the tipper wagons down Hull Road or wherever, I don’t know. The houses are very attractive, they’re nice, but it’s just too many years of too much. The authorities need to understand the road structure. I can’t see really there’s any solution.”
The housebuilder is currently developing two other sites in Hornsea – Alexandra House, Railway Street, and Mere View Meadows, Hull Road. Foxglove Homes hopes to start work on the Rolston Road site in 2026 and urges people to view and comment on the proposals online.
Richard Mowat, director of the planning consultant firm working with Foxglove Homes on the development, was keen to reassure members of the public.
He said: “You can’t ride roughshod over the planning process. It’s important that all technical issues are addressed in a comprehensive manner.”
A copy of the plans is available online at johnsonmowat.co.uk/public-consultations.
The online consultation form will remain open throughout the planning process. Mr Mowat encouraged people to view the plans online, adding: “It’s not a foregone conclusion.”
East Riding councillors Barbara Jefferson and John Whittle, as well as Hornsea town councillor Stephen Prescott, attended the meeting but were unable to comment. A spokesman for East Riding Council stressed that the role of the authority was to be neutral in the process, gather the facts and comments through consultation, and then prepare a report on the issue.
Anyone with concerns or feedback on the pre-planning designs is encouraged to contact Hornsea Town Council in person, by phone on 01964 532252, or email [email protected].
Alternatively, feedback can be sent to [email protected].
Additional reporting by Ian Judson