A planning application for 3,500 new homes in Grimsby has been met with objections from North East Lincolnshire’s Independent Councillors.
The application is currently being considered by North East Lincolnshire Council and, if approved, would see the development of agricultural land to the west of Grimsby, between Healing, Wybers Wood, and Laceby Acres.
Plans include the construction of 3,500 new homes and two mixed-use local centres, which would include a food store, pub, vet, community centre, medical centre, pharmacy, nursery, local shop, and café, but Independent Councillors say that the plans are “madness”.
Councillor Steve Holland, leader of the Independent Councillors, said: “We have already seen massive over-development of our local villages, causing huge traffic problems and junctions already at capacity, whilst at the same time we have thousands of empty houses and plots already allocated for housing which still haven’t been built on.
“To be contemplating what is, in effect, another whole small town between Great Coates and Healing before using what we’ve already got in place is madness.”
The group criticises the development’s impact on the “enjoyable green space” in the borough, saying that the overdevelopment of housing, massive solar farms, and new pylons already blot the landscape.
Councillor Holland added: “If these houses were desperately needed by local young people, then that would be one thing, but we are already building hundreds of big houses from Humberston right across to Laceby, which local young people cannot afford. Our own housing analysis shows that what we need are smaller, good-quality houses that people can rent at rates they can afford.”
Another member of the Independent group, Councillor Lyndsey Downes, has already been campaigning against the development for four years, setting up a group called ‘Save the Freshney Valley’ in 2021, which has now reached over 2,700 members.
Councillors Paul Henderson, Paul Bright, and Les Bonner have also voiced their objections to the 188.5-hectare development.
Councillor Henderson outlined how a planning application has been submitted before the ‘Grimsby West Masterplan’ has been approved, with concerns around flooding, pollution and traffic holding it back.
A decision by the Council is expected by Friday 1 May 2026, according to the Council’s planning portal.
(Images: Node / Harworth Developments / NELC Planning)
Reporter.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2024.