CALL FOR ACTION OVER LAND EARMARKED FOR NEW HOUSING NEAR BRIGG RAILWAY STATION

A call for improvements to be made to a large area of undeveloped land near Brigg railway station was made at a Town Council meeting. A development involving 40 apartments was granted planning permission four years ago but this scheme has failed to proceed.
Brigg man Phill Hewson, a committed supporter of rail transport and the local station, went along in person to raise his "grouse about the station area" with the Town Council when it met in the Buttercross.
He hoped the town authority would now press to get things moving.
Phill said he understood North Lincolnshire Council had acquired this land back in 1997. However, it appeared that the cost of upgrading Station Road as an access for vehicles was putting off potential housing developers.
One way around this was for the council to buy a vacant former car lot nearby, close ro the site, and create a new access from Bigby Road.
He had put this suggestion to the council some time ago "but nothing has happened."
Meanwhile, passengers using Brigg station were getting a poor impression due to the state of the area.
Development would turn this land "into a jewel in the crown for this town." But currently it was "a Cinderella."
He suggested a pressing need to "see what it takes to make it saleable." And he added: Let's get moving!"
Coun Rob Waltham, who is the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council as well as being a member of the town authority, gave an immediate response to the points raised.
He acknowledged the need to upgrade Station Road for future development and revealed that a North Lincolnshire Council review of this and other land was currently being undertaken. It would be some weeks before this concluded.
The authority wanted to see older people's accommodation on a site well located near the town centre and local services.
Coun Waltham pointed out that the amount of fly-tipping on the land was not helping its appearance.
With regard to the suggested new access from Bigby Road, he explained that the former car lot had been placed on the leasing market rather than being offered for sale.

PICTURED: Above - Phill Hewson listening to the discussions during the Brigg Town Council meeting, plus some of the vacant land near the railway station he wants to see improved.