MP backs fight to preserve greenfield site

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said site owner Hull Council should not be allowed “to ride roughshod” over the planning process which had designated it greenfield in the Local Plan.

Objections are being submitted to East Riding Council against the plans for the large-scale industrial development, with buildings up to eight storeys high and gas boilers with 8m high chimney stacks, which objectors say will extend the city’s urban sprawl up to the boundary of Hedon. Mr Stuart said: “The designation of this much-loved green space separating Hedon and Hull has already been decided in the East Riding planning process.

“We all want to see investment, jobs and development in the Hull area; what we cannot allow is for Hull’s Council to ride roughshod over the East Riding’s planning process.”

Developers claim the plans, including a gas-fired energy centre and data centre, as well as an education campus, outdoor building materials testing site, and short-stay residential accommodation, could create as many as 1,000 jobs. But Tracy Lister, of Hedon, who has a protest Facebook page with over 800 members, said increased traffic was an issue and wildlife was at risk on the flood-prone site.

She said: “Flooding is a major concern. Ten years ago, residents will remember very well the devastation. The Environment Agency consider us a flood risk and most insurers charge us extra.”

In 2014 East Riding residents voted by a clear majority in a local referendum against being part of Hull. Ward councillor John Dennis said: “It is a misnomer to call this proposal an ‘Energy Park’ – no one will be taking their kids to play there or walking their dogs on the grass. With my fellow ward councillors Mike Bryan and Sue steel we will campaign relentlessly to see off Hull Council’s money-grubbing scheme.”

Project director Rob Cawkwell said they’d taken on board feedback over three rounds of consultation and adapted plans. He said: “From the discussions we’ve had there is a balance of residents both for and against the scheme from within the local parishes. The proposed development remains concentrated to the far west of the site, farthest away from Preston South and Hedon. If planning permission is granted, over 100 acres of green space will be protected for the life of the development, 125 years.”