Proposal for veteran’s village on green space in Hull

Plans for a new 48-dwelling Veteran’s Village for ex-service men and women of Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire have been granted by Hull City Council subject to conditions.

The project led by Hull 4 Heroes charity is planned to be built on Priory Road, Hull on a 22-acre site extending across the boundaries of Hull City Council and East Riding Council. The site, designed by Hodson Architects, is to have 48 homes as well as training and support facilities as well as a visitors’ centre for the wider community. A horticultural therapy and rehabilitation facility, garden centre and community facilities are all planned to be incorporated onto the site too.

The project is designed to provide support for ex-service personnel and the families transitioning from the services to civilian life creating suitable environment to adjust into.

Deputy leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Daren Hale, said: “This is a fantastic and innovative project that we are proud to support, further highlighting the council’s commitment to veterans in the city.

“This facility will provide a tremendous boost to help veterans integrating back into the community, providing not just accommodation but support, advice and employment opportunities.”

Hull based veterans charity, Hull Veterans,  that provides supported accommodation to ex-services personnel said a “village” would only serve to isolate veterans, adding: “(It) is effectively asking for the same problems you would get in a ‘garrison town.'”

“It would be taking veterans from a culture that they become accustomed to and placing them into one which is almost identical. They will still have to move on and, they will still have to move on into local communities, this is where the problems start.

“The money would be better spent working with existing infrastructure, projects and landlords that are already doing this work.”

Residents have concerns about the future use of the space too. During lockdown, the green space has become increasingly important for locals using the area for exercise and for looking after their mental health due to the vast space and wildlife. They have concerns that they will not be able to use this area in the same way which will have a negative impact on their lifestyle.

The plans are yet to be examined by the East Riding Council and so the plan can’t enter the next stage of the process.

The application can be found on https://www.planningportal.co.uk/