Residents back housing plans for empty Hessle Road Birds Eye site

A PETITION signed by 130 residents backing plans for a housing development at the former Birds Eye site has been handed in to Hull City Council.

The local authority's planning committee will consider proposals by Birds Eye to build 185 homes on the land off Hessle Road this afternoon.

The plans also include some light industrial units.

The site has lain empty since the pea processing plant closed in 2007.

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Two years ago, Birds Eye sought permission for 260 homes on the site but it was rejected by the council because the land is designated for commercial use.

Eileen Goffin, 72, who lives in nearby Monmouth Street, signed the petition.

She said: "I would rather the industry element was not there at all but there needs to be a compromise.

"Anything is better than the site lying empty.

"It is turning into a rubbish tip and has attracted travellers in the past.

"As long as the site lies empty, it will attract crime."

Mrs Goffin said she would prefer to see a retirement village on the site and was disappointed when the previous proposal was turned down.

She said: "There are concerns about the roads in and out of the development but I'm sure that can be addressed."

Fellow resident Peter Welton, 79, of Forester Way on the Summergroves Way estate, does not feel there is any need for more industrial units.

He said: "We don't need industry there. There are more than 120 empty units across Hull.

"They could create a lovely housing development on the site with a lawn for children to play on.

"I've lived here for 17 years and remember the Birds Eye factory. The noise and smell were awful and I don't want to see that again."

Ward councillors Abi Bell and Claire Thomas helped organise the petition.

Cllr Bell said: "Residents were disappointed when previous proposals for housing were turned down.

"We hope the new proposals are looked on more favourably.

"Residents have had to wait long enough and now they want to see the site developed."

Birds Eye believes the compromise between residential and industrial use should help with the application's success.

A spokesman previously told the Mail: "We have carefully considered our planning application for the former Hessle Road site and amended the current application from the one we submitted in 2010, which was for 100 per cent residential use.

"Taking into account the views of all parties, the revised application proposes a split of 70 per cent residential properties and 30 per cent commercial units.

"This is a compromise to meet the needs of residents and the local authority."

Early plans for the site were presented at an open day in the summer. The redevelopment of the 65,000sq ft area of land will also include seven commercial units.