A 249 homes development could replace a nine-hole golf course in Humberston
Ivan Morris Poxton Local Democracy Reporter
05:00, 17 Jan 2026
Craig Dawkins is unhappy Humberston Country Club’s nine-hole golf course may have housing built on it; the rest of the club’s facilities would continue to be operational(Image: Donna Clifford/Grimsby Live)
A development of 249 homes is being mooted at a golf course in North East Lincolnshire. Members of Humberston Country Club, off Humberston Avenue, have said the loss of the club’s nine-hole golf course would be “a real shame” and warn nearby golf clubs are full.
A pre-application consultation is open to residents’ views. Vistry East Yorkshire are behind the scheme. The company plans to submit a formal planning application in the early part of this year.
The site comprises 13.4 hectares. It is allocated for housing under North East Lincolnshire Council ‘s current Local Plan, and in the suggested allocation for the future Local Plan, being consulted on now.
89 of the 249 homes, over 35 per cent, would be affordable homes. While the golf course would go, the other parts of the club, including its spa, would continue to be operational.
Club members and ward councillors signal opposition
Paul Callanan, 66, is captain of the seniors club. He said the two nearest other golf courses were “both full anyway and are not accepting new members”.
He acknowledged Government planning regulation changes will make it “a lot easier” for objections to be overridden, and North East Lincolnshire is not meeting its housing target. But he contended there is “quite a special case with the number of sporting facilities that have gone, especially golf courses”. Mr Callanan said: “You can’t just keep building on facilities and not replacing them.
“I know nationally, golf courses are easy meat,” he said for developments. He recalled previous recreational facilities lost in the borough.
This included a par three golf course nearby that went some years ago, replaced by housing, which he said some Humberston Country Club members had come from. “I just think there’s so many houses you could build without destroying recreational facilities.”
Cllr Hayden Dawkins (Humberston and New Waltham Ward) said the suggested scheme was “another erosion” of Humberston green space. “Anything that’s green in Humberston seems to get built on.
“I know quite a few people that use it, we’re actively trying to support people to be active,” he said, noting council public health efforts and adding he knew particularly pensioners used the course. He criticised “ridiculous” Government housing targets for North East Lincolnshire as pushing such developments. “This is probably the tip of the iceberg.”
Craig Dawkins, 65, is his brother and a member of Humberston Country Club. “It would be a real shame,” he said, if the golf course was no more.
“I’d be really disappointed. I actually moved back in March last year, so I sort of joined straightaway.
“It certainly was one of the attractions to moving where we did.” His wife is also a member, with Craig heading to the golf course and she to the swimming facilities.
“In the summer, I’m down there every week. A lot of my sort of age use it. It’s not overly long or strenuous.”
Cllr Hayden Dawkins (Humberston and New Waltham Ward), pictured, said: ‘Anything that’s green in Humberston seems to get built on'(Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)
He added his appreciation for the course’s wildlife, too. This included birds on its large lake, muntjac deer, and foxes wandering the fairways.
“If I’m brutally honest, what is the alternative? I mean yes, there are other golf clubs, but they are triple the cost.” He noted gym membership at the club included access to the course.
“Surely, there must be enough space around Grimsby and Cleethorpes not to take away a nice open space that’s used by lots of people?” Both club members raised the social aspect linked to it, too, with Mr Callanan mentioning the seniors had Thursday coffee mornings.
He also highlighted the course’s size as a good introduction to golf. “It’s an outlet for kids.”
Cllr Stan Shreeve (Humberston and New Waltham Ward) said: “This proposed development is unwelcome and I’m sure will be widely opposed.” He said it was a “clear example of over intensification and no doubt more highways congestion. We know that this area remains a popular location but this is one development too many in my view.”
What is featured in the 249 homes scheme?
The 89 affordable homes would be provided by a registered provider. Features of the suggested development include a new access road to Humberston Avenue, a mix of two to five-bed two-storey properties and public open space on part of the golf course’s fairways.
Bannatyne run Humberston Country Club. However, they do not own the golf course. Limes Development Ltd bought the freehold in 2011, as reported by The Grimsby Telegraph.
A Bannatyne Group spokesperson said: “The landowner secured an allocation for residential development of up to 311 dwellings in the adopted North East Lincolnshire Local Plan a number of years ago. We understand they are working with Vistry who are likely to propose a reduced development of 249 homes, including 89 affordable homes.
“The operation of the health club will be unaffected.” The pre-application consultation is open until Friday, January 23, and can be viewed here. Humberston Village Council is to discuss it on Tuesday, January 20.
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