Housing plan scaled back after opposition
A CONTROVERSIAL housing development in North Ferriby has been scaled back after homeowners voiced their concerns.
National developer St Modwen had hoped to build 600 houses in Melton Fields on the west edge of the village.
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UNHAPPY: Janice Baldwin, front, with fellow North Ferriby residents who are opposed to the housing scheme. Picture: Jerome Ellerby
But the business has faced tough opposition from families who say the new buildings would spoil the area.
Now, St Modwen has unveiled a smaller, 500-house development.
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Development manager Richard Bannister said: "We have amended our proposals to create greater distance between North Ferriby and the proposed homes, more playing facilities and public space and extensive landscape features to enhance wildlife habitats.
"We have established solutions for investment in primary and secondary schools to meet their needs and reduced the proposed number of homes to 500, all potentially linked to super-high broadband."
The firm made changes after canvassing village opinion.
Mr Bannister said: "The recent consultation with local residents provided a good level of positive feedback, but we are aware that some people are simply against any type of development.
"If the region is to continue to attract good-quality jobs in the technology and green energy sectors, this ambition must be matched by the delivery of high-quality sustainable homes in the right locations."
But Janice Baldwin, a committee member of opposition group SaveOur Ferriby, said members were determined to fight on despite the concessions.
She said: "Apparently they've been listening to residents' views – but if they had been they wouldn't be doing anything on that field.
"They've not scaled it down enough for me.
"We're writing to David Davis MP and everybody of importance about what's happening so we will just have to wait and see."
St Modwen first revealed its plans to build houses on Melton Fields in February.
The developer had originally wanted to transform the plot into a business park.
But it changed its plans because the commercial slowdown has made office and warehouse space less desirable.
The developer's site backs on to Plantation Drive.
St Modwen owns a house in the road and hopes to build a cycleway and footpath connecting North Ferriby to the new estate.
The owners of 58 Plantation Drive sold it to David Watson, apparently a professional looking to relocate with his wife.
But sellers Alec and Caroline Coupland later learned he was a partner with Leeds firm WSB Property Consultants – and was acting for St Modwen.
Mrs Coupland said Mr Watson told them he was moving from a job in Derby when he came to view the house.
She said at the time: "I wouldn't have sold it if I had known what was happening."
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