A housing scheme aimed at providing almost 80 new homes near the TATA steelworks in Scunthorpe has been rejected by North Lincolnshire Council due to public health concerns.

St Modwen Ventures Limited, refused outline planning permission for residential development on the former YEB offices site in Dudley Road, off the A18 Queensway, now has the right to appeal to the government against the decision, if it wishes.

Council environmental staff expressed concerns about air quality, noise and odour when D day arrived for the application at the monthly meeting of the planning committee, held at Scunthorpe Civic Centre on October 17th 2012. However, the planning department recommended that councilors should approve the scheme.

Planning staff felt the balance of evidence shows that the site is not unduly affected by air quality as to make it unsuitable for residential development.

But Councilor Mr John England from Messingham had misgivings about granting permission, stressing the committee had been given a clear warning by its environmental staff.

Councilor Mr John Collinson from Scunthorpe disagreed, pointing out there did not seem to have been an issue with air quality when it came to the large new housing development built near the steelworks and Lakeside. He added that "I am not convinced that the health risk is worse than anywhere else in the town."

Councilor Mr Mick Grant from Scunthorpe favored approving the scheme, saying it would remove an eyesore near people's homes. He also felt a new Toucan crossing - proposed as part of the scheme would make it much easier for people already living in that part of town to get across the Queensway and visit the nearby shopping complex.

Source - This is Scunthorpe

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