'600 new homes would put Cottingham back to square one - despite A164 work'

MULTI-million pound improvements to one of the East Riding's busiest roads will be out of date if a huge housing development is built, residents have warned.

Work is well under way on £10m improvements to the A164 Humber Bridge to Beverley route to reduce congestion.

However, some Cottingham residents claim a proposal to build 600 homes on greenfield land on the outskirts of the village would put East Riding Council "back to square one".

There are also fears about potential flooding.

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Barry White, who lives opposite the entrance to the possible development site, said: "I understand the shortage of houses but I think the plans are ridiculous. You could be talking about an extra 1,000 cars.

"The A164 improvement will be out of date before they are even finished."

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust hopes to sell the fields opposite Castle Hill Hospital to developers.

Their proposals, which went on show yesterday at a public exhibition at the Methodist Hall in Hallgate, include community facilities, football pitches, a primary school, medical centre, convenience store and a pub.

Joanne Holmes, 50, lives at the bottom at Castle Road.

She said: "I know there are housing pressures from the Government but the traffic is a nightmare already, never mind with the extra cars.

"With the road improvements being made I just feel we will be back to square one if we allow such a big development."

The hospitals trust has to make £99m in efficiency savings by 2018.

It hopes to sell the site to make further savings.

Duncan Taylor, the trust's deputy director of infrastructure and development, was at the exhibition speaking to residents.

He said the homes would be built over several years.

"What we are trying to do is engage with the community to explain the plans and address their concerns," said Mr Taylor. "It is challenging times but what I'd say to residents is, the fact is the homes have to be built somewhere.

"The trust does not intend to act as a developer on any proposed scheme.

"However, it would clearly help us generate much- needed resources if we could, in the future, sell some of our land to a developer."

Yesterday's event was an opportunity for residents to see amendments following a public exhibition in June.

The changes include land for a pub to be built.

East Riding ward councillor Lena Slater said: "I think the consultation has been excellent but there is a lot of concern about flooding, drainage and traffic."

Councillors Geraldine Mathieson and Ros Jump have urged residents to have their say on the plans.

The final detail of the application is expected to be submitted next month.