Development plans take shape for 130 homes on brownfield site

A build lease has been signed with homebuilder, Keepmoat, for the Alexandra Dock area of Grimsby.

The brownfield site has been the subject of consultation with developers since November last year.

Developers have had an opportunity to register an interest in the site, and then, through rounds of discussions, submit a final bid to take over the build lease of the land which 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.

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 to support the future development in terms of ground investigation works and surveys.

Investment worth around £7.8m to support the scheme has already been secured through the Government’s Towns Fund. The build will be supported by brownfield funding secured as part of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal.

Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire 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 with the council to regenerate a large parcel of brownfield land and deliver new homes in Grimsby.

“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 Government’s 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.”