Sportsfield homes plan rejected

The Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate allowed the plans by Barratt Homes for the former Reckitts sports ground on appeal earlier this year, but councillors in Hull have refused to approve so-called “reserved matters,” because of concerns over inadequate parking for new sports facilities and emergency access.

Sub post-master Serji Singh, who has led local opposition, said: “It is a good result. The council are in touch with local concerns - even though they were overruled by Bristol.”

Councillor Adam Williams said: “There were too many houses in the proposals that Barratts put forward and I don’t feel enough has been done to tackle the extra traffic the development will cause.”

Barratts’ plans include giving £50,000 to Hull District Service Area and Hull FC to maintain two adult and two mini rugby pitches and changing rooms on the fields, which used to house bowling greens, tennis and netball courts, for the next five years.

Despite a clause saying the facilities will remain in public sporting use “in perpetuity”, residents are concerned the rest of the field could end up being built on.

The sports field was originally set aside for workers of Quaker philanthropist Sir James Reckitt.

It was sold to the Hull Brewery Company Ltd in 2000 for just under £200,000.

Developers have the right to appeal or come back with revisions.