Initial planning permission has been granted for the development of new homes in Barton
A S106 agreement linked to new homes in Barton-upon-Humber guarantees at least £221,000 in financial contributions towards local infrastructure. This includes over £140,000 towards primary and secondary education.
Initial planning permission has been granted for the development of up to 34 homes on brownfield commercial land at Waterside Road, Barton. The former home of Osgerby Haulage and Warehousing, the site is set to see a mix of two to four-bed homes.
Development details such as the layout will be sorted at a future reserved matters planning stage. The application for the homes was originally made in 2023, and an agent expressed frustration with Natural England over the speed of their input on it. However, a Natural England spokesperson has said it responded to all consultations within required timeframes.
“My client wishes to see the site developed for the betterment of Barton,” said Keir Architect’s Keir Taylor to North Lincolnshire Council ‘s planning committee. He described it as a “good, sustainable site”.
A viability assessment had been made to ensure it is financially sustainable, given the wider costs associated with brownfield sites. Carried out by Avison Young, it ruled out a large part of possible S106 contributions, including contributions to affordable homes.
The ruled-out £29,000 towards healthcare, almost £220,000 more for local education and £475,000 to support off-site affordable housing might yet come back into play in future. The development will be another one subject to a clawback mechanism by the council over its viability and the payment of S106 money.
Mr Taylor told councillors they were now “in a position where there are no issues that can’t be resolved through the reserved matters process”. Cllr Carol Ross (Broughton and Scawby) was enthusiastic. “It’s a site that’s really ideal for a development of this nature.”
She moved to grant outline permission, but subject to the S106 agreement’s finalisation. The £221,000 in the S106 agreement’s head of terms is split between:
- Over £140,000 for education.
- Almost £34,000 towards improvements at Dam Road Playground, Baysgarth Park or Waters Edge Playground and Humber Bridge Park.
- Over £37,000 towards recreational activities.
- £5,000 to infrastructure improvements to encourage community events at Barton’s Assembly Rooms.
Criticism of Natural England
The applicant’s agent, Mr Taylor, noted in the planning meeting that the application dated back to October 2023. He blamed the speed of responses from Natural England as a core reason why it had not been decided on earlier by councillors.
He said the consultee body “just didn’t have the resources to deal with it and we lost all of 2024 due to this”. Natural England are a required consultee for many developments in northern Lincolnshire due to important wildlife habitats in the area.
Mr Taylor said they only came to the table in 2025 and later thanked the council planning officer for her help, in contrast to Natural England. A Natural England spokesperson told Hull Live: “Natural England responded to all consultations from North Lincolnshire Council within the required timeframes throughout this planning application. A formal response has now been issued with no objection, subject to appropriate mitigation being secured.
“As a statutory consultee, we can only respond to the consultations we receive from local planning authorities. We fulfilled our responsibilities on each occasion we were consulted by the council.”
It is understood Natural England requested further information from the council in May 2024, but received no further consultation until last month. It has also been working closely with North Lincolnshire Council to develop their strategic approach in order to support sustainable growth and nature recovery.