Scheme for hundreds of homes near BAE plant set for take-off

Up to 750 homes and a new primary school could be built on the site close to BAE System’s factory, where hundreds of workers face the axe.

A gym, hotel, care home, restaurant, supermarket, healthcare facility and business premises form part of the Brough South proposals to be built over 10 years on the 120-acre site, owned by Horncastle Group, BAE Systems and the Jordan family.

Developers say it will give the area the facilities it needs and attract “the next wave of interest” from househunters.

Ian Hodges, managing director of Horncastle Group, confirmed that the development would mean the end of the runway’s operational use. The last Hawk jet trainer, used by the RAF, flew out from the site after an upgrade in the middle of last year.

One complaint about the development is that it will promote businesses which require mainly unskilled workers on low wages.

But Mr Hodges claimed the plans would “enhance” the BAE site, by improving the local road infrastructure.

He said: “At the moment you have a highway network which isn’t capable of sustaining that facility.

“Yes, you lose the runway but you gain an awful lot more and a lot more opportunities for different types of business.”

The number of homes has been cut by 50 to allow space for the new primary school, following consultation with residents.

He said they would be inviting bids from supermarket operators if planning permission was granted.

However many residents believe it to be an overdevelopment which will add to the problems of a town only recently considered a village and turn it into a “Kingswood-on-Sea”. Elloughton-cum-Brough Town Council, which is objecting along with North Ferriby Parish Council, says the school will only serve the new estate and won’t alleviate problems at “seriously oversubscribed” South Hunsley School and three primaries.

Schools are so full children are being bussed from the new Bovis estate to South Cave and North Ferriby and roads are jammed at peak hours.

Elloughton-cum-Brough’s chairman Bryan Davis said: “The main objection remains that Elloughton-cum-Brough has expanded from 5,000 to 12,000 in the last 12 years and we don’t see why we need another 3,000 people – we are already at bursting point.

“If there wasn’t the housing there would be overwhelming support for it.

“I’d say 50 per cent don’t want it all - and the other 50 per cent don’t care either way.”

The Highways Agency has issued a “holding direction”, aimed at ensuring issues with the A63 are resolved and Natural England is objecting on the grounds it will have a “significant” effect on the legally-protected Humber Estuary. They have asked the council to carry out an assessment.

There have been 140 letters of objection as well as 21 of support.

Planning officers are recommending East Riding councillors back the plan, subject to outstanding issues being resolved.

Even if planning permission is granted it has to be referred to Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, for a final decision. He could call a public inquiry.

The planners claim the site is “sustainable” with pedestrian links to the town centre and claim it won’t have a significant impact on Morrison’s Brough store. Around 10 per cent of the housing would be “affordable”.

Despite concerns over the increased risk of flooding from concreting over one of the last open spaces, planners say raising levels and a comprehensive drainage system can protect the site, without increasing risks elsewhere.

The meeting will be held next Thursday at County Hall, Beverley.