60 NEW HOMES FOR BRIGG - OR NOT?

Brigg Town Council has decided to object to new housing development near Bridge Street. Its views will be forwarded to North Lincolnshire planners, who will have the final say on whether to grant outline permission for 60 dwellings on land off Island Carr Road (behind Peacock and Binnington).
One of the main concerns in this low-lying part of the town, close to the River Ancholme, is flood risk. Councillors heard there were plans to install a reservoir on the site, into which surface water would be channelled and stored before being allowed to flow away at a controlled rate. It is also proposed to build three-storey homes with garages at ground level and living accommodation on the two floors above that.
Coun Ann Eardley said she was very concerned about access to the A18 (Bridge Street) through Kiln Lane. Coun Tom Glossop agreed, saying there were "great reservations" and perhaps the only possibility was to stop those drivers trying to turn right onto Bridge Street and make them go left to turn at the roundabout near Tesco.
Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs questioned whether, in the Environment Agency's opinion, the proposed reservoir was large enough.
Coun Michael Galvin said the reservoir would need to be made "secure from children."
Coun Penny Smith thought additional houses would add greatly to the problems of "The Isle" with its "already full" solitary sewer running down Bridge Street.
Coun Mel Oades was concerned about the added pressure a new housing development could bring in terms of school places and accessing doctors and dentists in Brigg. "Sixty new homes is a minimum 150 people - that's a lot extra to integrate," he suggested.
Coun Jane Kitching was unhappy with the idea of three-storey homes, in terms of disabled people's requirements.
Councillors then agreed to let a member of the public speak on the issue. Mick Smith, owner of the Brocklesby Ox mobile homes development off Bridge Street, attended to listen to the debate - at the end of which he asked for permission to address the committee, which was granted.
He expressed concerns about how tall three-storey buildings could affect the pressure within the existing sewerage system and the affects that might have on people living in single-storey accommodation nearby. He also suggested there could be "stench" from the reservoir during periods when it dried out. "There's a lot of issues involved," he suggested.