Business news 23/09/2024

Brownfield housing development moves a step closer

The Alexandra Dock area of Grimsby, between the new Onside Youth Zone and the Fishing Heritage Centre area looks set to be transformed over the next few years after the build lease for the area was signed with a leading UK homebuilder, Keepmoat, this month.

The brownfield site has been the subject of consultation with developers in the housing market since November last year. This is a process where developers register an interest in the site, and then, through rounds of discussions, submit a final bid to take over the build lease of the site which then allows them to put in a planning application for their proposals.

This area was identified for homes in Grimsby’s Town Centre Masterplan, which is supported by Homes England, and is cited as an ideal location given the water nearby and the improvements that have already taken place.

The 6.25 acre town centre site bordered by Fisherman’s Wharf and the River Freshney will eventually see a community of around 130 homes with supporting commercial accommodation.

The frontage of the site, bordering Alexandra Dock, was completed in 2021, and includes the new footbridge over the River.

Over the last few years, work has been ongoing at the site to support the future development in terms of ground investigation works and surveys.

Investment worth approximately £7.8m to support the development at this site has already been secured through the Government’s Towns Fund, and as announced today, the build will be supported by brownfield funding secured as part of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal.

Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the council, said: “We want to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment.

“North East Lincolnshire must develop as a place where people want to live and work. If that does not happen, we risk stagnating as a borough. We’re committed to making sure that does not happen.”

“There’s a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight. But we are working to improve the town centre as a whole and this is part of that vision.

“We want people who work in our borough to also live here as this will maximise the economic benefits to the area.

“Step-by-step, along with other initiatives in the town centre, we’re changing how our town centre can be used safely, and enjoyed by everyone.”

Ben Hindley, Regional Land and Partnership Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East, added: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with the Council to regenerate a large parcel of brownfield land and deliver new homes in Grimsby

“At Keepmoat we pride ourselves on supporting local authorities to achieve their housing targets and we are honoured to be the housebuilder of choice for this project, selected to create much needed quality housing stock for generations to come.

“We are approaching the project in the Alexandra Dock area of Grimsby with healthy life principles in mind, to ensure the scheme is not only visually appealing, but has plenty of available green spaces for walking, cycling and spending time outside.”

Paul Gascoine Assistant Director at Homes England says "As the governments housing and regeneration agency we want to support partners, in the public and private sector, to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield, infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges.

The Alexandra Dock is a prime example of this. The agency has worked closely with North East Lincolnshire Council to support the development of the master plan over the last two years, and it’s great to see it move forward.”

The next stage for the site is for the developers to carry out a public consultation prior to submitting a planning application. This is currently expected in the autumn / winter of 2024/25.