Town could double in size with 1900 new homes, school and pub

Councillors are set to decide on plans which would see the pretty market town of Howden expand by up to 1,900 homes, along with a new school, pub, medical centre and other facilities.

Plans set to go before East Riding Council's^[1] Planning Committee next week would also include a new relief road and a new factory for Howdens, the kitchen and joinery firm. Applicants state that the expansion would create a desirable place to live that would stand the test of time.

But six people have raised concerns about its effects on traffic, public transport and the environment, amid claims that a new town would be tacked on to Howden^[2]. It comes ahead of the outline plans going before the Planning Committee next Thursday (June 22).

Councillors will decide on whether to give the development the go-ahead in principle, with detailed reserve matters, including house designs, to be considered at a later date. The plans would see the homes, a supermarket, primary school, medical centre and pub and restaurant being built to the north-east of Howden.

The site would include land between Station Road and Thorpe Road, near Howden railway station. A new relief road from Station Road to Thorpe Road would be built as part of the development, along with the new Howdens factory building.

The council's draft Local Plan includes requirements for a relief road to be built before a new development goes ahead, after a backlash during a consultation. The application stated that the new road would help to re-route HGV traffic from the centre of Howden.

The number of homes is estimated to be between 1,600 and 1,900, with documents stating that they expect around 1,865. Applicants state that the development would be a slowly growing community and would be designed to foster links between residents and the existing town.

The design of the houses would reflect those already in Howden. The applicants state: "The proposals will create a sensitive, locally responsive development. It will be robust, legible and accessible and will contribute positively to the town, delivering a safe and attractive environment rooted firmly in its place from the outset.

"It will create a desirable place that will stand the test of time and that people will be proud of and want to inhabit for many years to come."

At present, Howdens has a site on the A614 Thorpe Road, to the east of the town. The plans for the factory expansion state: "The proposals represent a high-quality development and a substantial investment, which will help to promote and support employment growth and stimulate continued economic investment to the area."

References

1. ^{^} Latest East Riding of Yorkshire Council news- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Latest Howden news- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Promise to build new road after backlash against plans for 2,200 new homes in town- Hull Live (www.hulldailymail.co.uk)