Residents concerned as homes plan stretches town's facilities

Proposals for massive private sector investment could see 850 new homes, a hotel, business premises and a mixture of retail outlets built on a 100-acre site east of Skillings Lane.

The development partners, including Horncastle Group, Redrow Homes, and landowners BAE Systems and Riplingham Estates Ltd, say the scheme would create 150 jobs during the construction phase and 550 once it is complete.

Ian Hodges, of Horncastle Group, said: "This scheme will transform the level of services available to the local area and create a new central hub for Brough.

"Horncastle are delighted to be taking this project forward and look forward to getting the input of local people that will help shape the scheme."

Some residents, however, are concerned about the potential growth in population, and say existing facilities are already inadequate.

Bryan Davis, a member of Elloughton-cum-Brough Parish Council, who lives in the adjoining village, said: "Ten years ago the population was about 5,000 and now it's about 10,000 or 11,000.

"It puts massive pressure on the centre of Brough. I live in Elloughton and we've really lost most of our services.

"We have everything except space.

"We don't have a public car park and it's parking that is the real problem.

"We are also having problems at the doctors' surgery because we are supposed to get an appointment in three days and it's taking five or six days," he said.

"Since we have had a library, customer services, a community centre and adult education facilities at the Petuaria Centre it is bringing people in from Welton, Melton, North Cave and South Cave, and that's giving us a catchment area of about 15,000."

Additional parking would be created at the railway station, and the site would be linked to the centre of Brough by a new road bridge over the railway line, known as the Brough relief road, which is being developed by East Riding Council.

The developers said the project would "enhance the sustainability of Elloughton and Brough and be an integral part of the community and local economy".

They said: "The landowners and their team have worked hard to develop proposals that are sustainable and that will enhance Elloughton and Brough through the delivery of new, complimentary facilities and great new employment opportunities for the area."

The housing would feature "a wide choice of high quality, spacious, traditional two-storey family homes", and include an element of affordable housing for younger and older people.

John Grime, regional director at Redrow Homes, said: "We're delighted to be a partner in this venture, which will create a mixed-use sustainable community on brownfield land.

"Redrow has extensive experience in this type of development and has previously worked with BAE Systems to redevelop the former Royal Ordnance Factory site in Chorley, Lancashire.

"We will be adding to the housing stock available locally with a range of good quality homes for every type of purchaser."

The developers said they would also help fund the improvement of facilities at local schools.

It is hoped the scheme would attract new clothing stores and a large DIY retailer.

A new supermarket and filling station and pubs, restaurants and diners would also be created, as would play space and community facilities for young people.

Improved flood defences would be created around the BAE Systems site. The plans will be on display at the Petuaria Centre in Brough, between 2pm and 8pm today and tomorrow.