Plans to be discussed for a Veterans Village in East Yorkshire
The council has received 32 objections though, with some residents fearing it could damage wildlife habitats
Plans for a complex to house ex-military personnel are set to go before East Riding councillors amid concerns it could damage nearby habitats.
Documents submitted to East Riding Council from Hull 4 Heroes stated the 48 home complex would be built on land west of Priory Road in Cottingham. Parts would cover Priory Meadows and be open to the public.
Plans from the charity include an on site cafe, workshop, classroom, potting shed, composting area, training facilities and food growing areas.
It would house personnel who have recently left the armed forces and their families.
But the council has received 32 objections, with some residents fearing it could damage wildlife habitats on Priory Meadows and set a precedent for further development on green space.
It comes as Hull City Council backed plans for the site, which would extend over its border with the East Riding, at a meeting in June.
They have since been referred to the government, as the East Riding plans will be if councillors back them.
Councillors heard from TV presenter Nick Knowles, a high profile supporter of the plans, and veteran Steven Kingdom who opposed them.
Plans set to go before the East Riding’s Planning Committee stated the Village would help “empower” veterans as they adjust to life outside the armed forces.
Documents stated:
“The Veterans Village will be a self-sustaining community providing transitional housing, training and support for ex-service personnel and their families.
“It will be a unique place to provide for and empower those individuals who may require help when adjusting to civilian life.
“The site’s unique location provides both a tranquil rural environment and established local community, fundamental in aiding a veteran and their family in their transition to civilian life.”
Plans for the site include 32 one and two bedroom single storey lodges with disability access and 16 semi-detached two, three and four bedroom homes.
But objectors to the plans claimed there would be no way to curb the damage to existing wildlife on the Meadows.
Priory Meadows is classed as Key Open Area under East Riding Council’s Local Plan for development. It is also a designated Local Wildlife Site.
One objector, a local wildlife campaigner, stated:
“The plans would result in the destruction of a rare ancient grassland.
“Meadows like Priory Meadows are now exceptionally rare as more than 97 per cent have been destroyed since the Second World War.
“The meadow is an ancient irreplaceable habitat and local authorities have a duty to protect such sites. There is no point in giving a site protection and then allowing part of it to be destroyed.”
Other objectors, including nearby residents, claimed the complex would lead to spikes in traffic on Priory Road and endanger pedestrians as a result.
A nature conservation officer stated in their submission that the applicant had put enough measures in place to protect the meadows.
But they requested works should remain on hold pending updates of environmental management guidelines that would take protecting the area into account.
Councillors will decide at a planning meeting on Thursday, August 20.