BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE HOUSING DISCUSSED IN BRIGG

Brigg people were given an opportunity to have their say on how our town and the district will be developed up to the year 2036. But if you missed it, there's still time to let the local authority know your views on the blueprint.
North Lincolnshire Council hosted a public consultation in the Angel Suite on market day (Thursday, February 20) with an open invitation to attend between 3pm and 6pm.
There was an opportunity to make personal views known about the council's 'preferred options' for inclusion in the latest Local Plan - setting out how things are going to take shape. Future housing developments form a key part of this.
Present with council staff was Brigg & Wolds Ward's Coun Nigel Sherwood, chairman of North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee.
Staff showed us a map on which land earmarked for housing in Brigg was indicated - some already having planning approval and some yet to progress to the application stage.
The largest sites indicated were the so-called Brigg North development stretching from Wrawby Road to behind the Springbank estate, and two sizeable areas off Bridge Street.
We inquired about the long-approved apartments earmarked for land in the former railway station yard but as yet there's no indication when building will commence (by a developer - not the council).
We wondered whether the council had considered designating housing land on the other side of the railway line, close to Candley Beck, with access possible off Elwes Street/Cadney Road.
It was pointed out to us that this is beyond the Development Boundary and in neighbouring West Lindsey. The area is also low-lying and close to the Old River Ancholme, to which it is connected by the beck.
We noted that York Road 'field' was without land definition on the Local Plan draft map being displayed to the public.
This site was earmarked by Humberside County Council in the late 1970s as the eventual site for Brigg's new primary school (replacing the one on Glebe Road). But some 20 years later, during North Lincolnshire Council's tenure as the education authority, the new school was erected instead on Atherton Way. So this sizeable portion of land has been left untouched as a grassy area of public open space.
Many people living on the St Helens housing estate will be pleased that York Road 'field' is not earmarked for future housing or other change of use, in the latest Local Plan.
Brigg Blog would not have been surprised if the vacant land had been suggested as a site for new Brigg allotments, to replace those off Grammar School Road. But part of Woodbine Park, off Woodbine Avenue, is now the chosen location for these plots and they will start to take shape later this year..
To find out more about land allocations, visit https://localplan.northlincs.gov.uk
People who were unable to make it to the Angel Suite consultation can also view the Local Plan and leave comments online at https://localplan.northlincs.gov.uk up to 5pm on March 27.