Housing plan ‘whittles away’ chance of creating common

HOPES of a new common south of a historic market town may be scuppered in the push to build thousands of new homes, it is feared.

As many as 2,500 homes could be built on fields between existing housing in Beverley and the town’s new £27m southern bypass by 2027.

Beverley Renaissance, a partnership of around 30 organisations, are hoping a new common, called the Southwood, covering around 100 acres, around one-fifth of the size of the town’s famous Westwood, could be formed by bundling together the small parcels of land developers have to give for open space.

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But Beverley Civic Society member Prof Barbara English fears only a “small wedge” will be left over once the land is developed.

“The common looks as if it’s going to be more like a playground,” she said.

“I think there will be a small wedge left so you can get a view of Beverley Minster from the south side of town.

“We would like as much green space left as possible in order to provide a recreation area, but fear the pressure of housing development is whittling away the chances of making a Southwood.

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“People within the council were very supportive that there should be an open space to the south, but landowners want to maximise their profits.”

Six different sites to the west of the railway line have been bundled together in one allocation for housing, with another of three plots to the east, which would together provide the 2,500 homes.

Stephen Hunt, housing and spatial strategy manager at East Riding Council, said developers and landowners could be prepared to provide more open space than they were required to do.

He said: “It is too premature to come to these conclusions. We hear the concerns that have been raised in terms of Southwood and maintaining vistas of Beverley Minster, and the policy requires these to be considered as part of any development.”

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The latest round of public consultation on the draft local plan starts at the end of the month for ten weeks. Meanwhile people can find out more about the 18-month roadbuilding scheme at a public exhibition tomorrow from 10am to 7.30pm at the Treasure House, Beverley.