Fight begins for ‘olde worlde’ homes on sports field site

There was huge disappointment when the Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate overturned Hull Council’s refusal of planning permission for new houses on the former Reckitts playing fields in Chamberlain Road.

The decision ended a 10-year fight to protect the fields, originally set aside for Reckitts’ workers.

However developer Barratt Homes still has to come back to the planning committee for permission for the final details of the plan.

Sub-postmaster Serji Singh, who raised 2,000 signatures on a petition, said they would fight for Garden Village-style houses with large gardens surrounded by hedges, rather than “shoeboxes”.

He said: “The houses need to be on the grounds of Garden Village because of the links with the area, we’d like them to look olde worlde.”

The developer wants to build 100 homes where the bowling greens, tennis and netball courts used to be on the 17-acre field. What is left will house two adult and two mini-rugby pitches and changing rooms. Mr Singh said they would also be fighting for sufficient parking for players and spectators.

Meanwhile Coun Adam Williams is urging people to fill in a form at www.surveymonkey.com/s/reckittsportsfield, which will be passed to Barratts. He said: “There are still a lot of potential problems that need addressing.

“It is really important local views are put forward so Barratts are aware of how strong local feeling is.”