Fresh bid to tackle housing shortage

A total of 99 new homes and a doctors’ surgery could be built in Pocklington under proposals going before councillors on Thursday.

JG Hatfield Linden Homes North and the Pocklington Group Practice are seeking planning permission to build the properties and a GPs’ surgery on land off West Green.

A report recommends the decision is deferred pending a formal agreement with the developers to deliver a quarter of the homes as affordable housing.

However, there is some urgency from the surgery as it needs to secure planning permission by the end of the year to access funding it has been promised.

The relocation of the surgery is one of the most contested aspects of the scheme, with the current site close to the town centre being described as “ideally located” for transport links, but not being big enough to expand and provide the more modern facilities the town and surrounding communities need.

Concerns regarding noise, light pollution and increased traffic caused by a new surgery have been raised, as well as the fact it would be just six metres from the nearest property.

However, six alternative sites were looked at but were not considered suitable, and a member of staff who has worked at the surgery for 36 years wrote in support of the application that they “feel strongly that a purpose-built GP’s surgery should be built to serve the ever increasing population of the town”.

East Riding Council has a target of building 1,190 new homes per year. A spokesman said: “The council recognises that there is a need for new affordable housing across large parts of East Riding and is committed to addressing this issue through direct delivery and through working with a range of partners.”