Transformation of former Western school site is well underway

A major housing development in North East Lincolnshire at the former Western School site is now well underway.

The site, now known as “Cambridge Green” has three completed show home which opened earlier this year and have already seen interest from potential buyers.

Keepmoat, a UK top 10 housebuilder, is regenerating the 22.9 acre brownfield site, which will see a multi-million pound investment to create a community of 318 properties, including one to four bedroom houses, along with affordable housing and retirement dwellings.

The former school site was closed more than a decade ago due to falling numbers and an over provision of places, with pupils reallocated at the time to other schools in the area.

Funding to progress the site was obtained through the Homes England Accelerated Construction Programme, enabling North East Lincolnshire Council to prepare the site and complete key utility, site preparation and access works, as well as developing and securing the outline planning permission a few years ago. This was followed by Keepmoat starting on site in late 2024.

Once complete, the site is expected to deliver the 318 sustainable properties,  representing a £65 million investment to create the multi-tenure development.

Ben Hindley, Land & Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East said: “The recent launch of Cambridge Green in Grimsby is an exciting milestone for the Keepmoat team. The transformation of a former educational site allows us to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable, well-designed homes in a fantastic location.

“Working in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council has been pivotal in creating a multi-tenure site that supports sustainable living in an area where people want to live. We look forward to seeing the site at Cambridge Road become a vibrant new community.”

Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “This has been a great example of public and private sectors working together. We want to boost the local economy, and provide good quality housing to do this – both for our existing population and for people who want to move to the area.

“For the good of the environment, using brownfield sites has to be our preference. The delivery of new and affordable homes, built in places that support sustainable growth of our communities is key. Alongside our plans for urban housing in the centre of Grimsby, this development will provide significant numbers of good quality, new accommodation in the borough for our residents.”

Approval was also given by Cabinet for the Council to seek an organisation to build and operate 90 high quality, affordable and sustainable houses for vulnerable older adults.

Once appointed, the successful organisation will purchase or lease land on the old Western School site specifically set aside for housing for older people with care needs.

This project, which is being supported by Homes England, will help the Council with its ambitions to double the capacity of extra care housing in North East Lincolnshire by 2029.

The Council will now go out to procure a provider for the Extra Care Housing Scheme. To find out more about the site, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/cambridge-green-grimsby.