Country's first 'veterans village' in Hull sparks opposition from locals

Members of Hull City Council’s planning committee are due to decide whether to approve the Hull 4 Heroes’s Veterans Village at a meeting on Wednesday June 3.

The 22 acre complex would include 48 homes for veterans and their families, community space, a support hub and training facilities across two linked sites in Coronation Road North and Priory Road. The village is designed to help veterans back into civilian life.

Some residents living near the proposed site have objected over the loss of green space and concerns over a rise in traffic.

The complex would be built on the site of the now demolished Setting Dyke school and on land classed as ecologically sensitive.

Trevor Fishburn, a Veterans Village trustee, said the homes would put Hull on the map as the first city to offer such support.

Mr Fishburn said: “There’s a real shortfall in support for veterans, not only in Hull but in the country at large.

“Around 10 per cent of people in Hull are either veterans or have family ties to them.

“This village would give veterans and their families somewhere to live while they go through their transitional journey.

“One of the biggest problems veterans face is adjusting to civilian life after leaving the armed forced.

“Many have been in the armed forces from a young age and that community is very different to one other people would be used to. The armed forces houses soldiers and provides a lot for them while they are enlisted.

“Hull would be the first city in the country to ensure this kind of provision is available for armed forces veterans.”

Plans for the village include houses with up to four bedrooms for both single veterans and their families.

The houses are designed to be sustainble and provide accommodation for a total of 120 people.

A Community Support Hub would be on site where ex-personnel could get health and wellbeing support and guidance on finance, relationships and getting help from other agencies.

Career advisors would also be on hand to help veterans apply skills acquired in the armed forces to civilian jobs.

Other planned facilities include a gym, cafe, a walled garden and outdoor areas and multi-function social spaces for residents and the wider community.

The Veteran Village Trust said the complex’s location in an already established community and rural setting would be “fundamental” in helping ex-personnel back into civilian life.

Initial works on the complex would begin in November or December, with building estimated to take around two years.

Residents near the proposed site said it would deprive them of green space locals use for exercise.

Others raised concerns that proposed access roads would not be able to cope with a rise in traffic.

One resident said: “Having lived on Coronation Road North for nearly 15 years I have seen the proposed site become an extremely important resource not only for locals but for visitors too.

“Personally I have enjoyed using the site for exercise, relaxation, escapism, mental health and inspiration while living here. I feel so lucky to have it and believe that losing it would impact on my mental health.

Another said the 16 parking spaces planned for the village would lead to visitors parking on neighbouring residential roads.

The resident said: “Experience tells me that due to this limited parking visitors will park on Coronation Road North, Kilnwick Avenue and Meltonby Avenue where there are no restrictions.

“Any extra visitor traffic and on street parking will have a detrimental impact on resident safety and our own on street parking.”

Plans for the village have also been submitted to East Riding Council as the site lies on the boundary between the two local authority areas. The East Riding application is yet to be examined.