A vision to create modern, smart homes on a riverside setting in Grimsby’s town centre has moved a step forward.
Following discussions between North East Lincolnshire Council and Homes England, central government funding has been agreed to allow investigative work to take place at Alexandra Dock. This will focus on six-acres of council-owned land behind the emerging Horizon OnSide Youth Zone and next to the remodelled Garth Lane bridge and walkway.
Around two weeks of specialist contract work, which starts next month, will determine the land type and what is beneath the surface – essential investigations ahead of preparing the site further.
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This area was earmarked for homes in Grimsby’s Town Centre Masterplan – cited as an ideal location given the water nearby and the improvements that have already taken place. The former builders' merchant yard has been a derelict brownfield site for several years, with Henry Boot bringing forward plans for mixed use retail and residential more than 15 years ago, and higher education also mooted.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council with cabinet responsibilities for the economy, net zero, skills and housing, said: “The main objective of this work is to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment that’s kind to the planet.
“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. Step-by-step we want to change how our centre is used and enjoyed as a whole.”
It comes as Projekt Renewable, close by, has received planning consent. Just last week OnSide celebrated the start of its redevelopment of the redundant West Haven Maltings into a state-of-the art Horizon Youth Zone and work continues to redevelop Riverhead Square.
