Developer’s plan to build homes on disused sports field defeated

Councillors unanimously rejected proposals by Barratt Homes Yorkshire after hearing impassioned pleas from campaigners who have fought for years to prevent development on the fields off Chamberlain Road, which were originally set aside for workers of Quaker philanthropist Sir James Reckitt.

Around 60 residents packed the public gallery to hear the debate at Hull’s Guildhall.

The developer wanted to build 100 homes where the bowling greens, tennis and netball courts used to be and argued that private investment was the only feasible option to bring the land back into use.

The privately-owned 17-acre sports field was once one of the top venues in the city for cricket and rugby, but for the past four years the gates have been padlocked and the grounds have fallen into disrepair.

Around a quarter of the site – which acted as a soakaway in the floods of 2007 – would have been left for two adult and two mini-rugby pitches and changing rooms, with the developer also donating funds towards changing facilities at Pelican Park about a mile away.

But from the off the mood of the committee was clear with planning committee chairman Craig Woolmer, the first speaker, moving refusal.

Council leader Carl Minns cited the council’s policy on green spaces that a development would only be allowed in “exceptional circumstances” and where an “overriding justification can be demonstrated.”

He said: “I’ve not heard from the applicant or been convinced by the report as to what the exceptional circumstances are facing the city or east Hull or the community to justify overruling this.”

Earlier one supporter of the plans told the committee that it was in their power alone to open up the padlocked gates. But Coun Tom McVie repeated that it was “only the owner” who could open up the gates and if the development was allowed only a quarter of the original Reckitts sports field would be left.

Sub-postmaster Serji Singh, who has led the campaign, says he could put together a syndicate which would buy the land and then apply for Lottery funding to bring the area back into use for all sports.

He said: “We have the funds to purchase it, it’s a great result, some integrity has come back to the council and it’s not just greed. The council has made it very clear and we are very happy that they are going to keep it as a green area and they have sent a very clear message that it will be a recreation field.”

George Barker, 86, who was a manager at the ground, recalled how he was handed a £100,000 cheque by the managing director of Reckitts in the early 1980s to refurbish the ground and clubhouse.

Mr Barker said: “When I left that ground I looked back and I was proud of what I had done. Since then I have seen the ground deteriorate to what it is today. I personally think it is a stain on the city that it should be allowed to fall into disrepute like it has.”

Afterwards he said: “I’m quietly satisfied. It’s the first step – they are bound to appeal. I think the council has a strong feeling of the opposition in that area.”

Barratts said it would transfer the land to the Hull District Service Area, which manages amateur rugby league pitches in Hull.

Hull FC director John Flatman said it was a “sad day” for sport and rugby league in the city.

He added: “This would have been a huge step forward for rugby league within the proudest rugby league city in the country.

“I look forward to further discussions with the council as to where alternative provision can be created. Everybody wants the facility to be returned to its former glory and I hope it’s not left in its current state for the next five years, as the previous five.”