THE developers behind the controversial 655-home Germany Beck site have said they are investing £6million locally, including raising the level of the A19.

Persimmon has said Fulford is gaining from substantial investment in highway improvements, flood water management, the new community sports facility at Fulford School and enhancements to existing wildlife and nature areas.

Part of the money will be used to raise the A19 reducing the likelihood of future road closure at times of flooding from the River Ouse. The water, which will be displaced from the A19, will be stored in a specially created water meadow.

In addition, the plans for the development have been designed to limit the rate at which rain water leaves the site and enters the public sewers or watercourse.

The site will incorporate oversized drainage pipes to store run-off water which will then enter the Beck at a lower rate than it currently does from the neighbouring farmer’s field. The first stage of works will be focused on the construction of a new junction off the A19.

Germany Beck has long been a subject of a planning row. Developers are to build the homes although there was strong local opposition, partly due to a belief that the land is on the site of the 1066 Battle of Fulford.

Simon Usher, managing director at Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “This is a major development which will transform approximately 24 hectare site, not only bringing much-needed new homes to the region, including 227 affordable homes, but also creating more than 120 new job opportunities, with more expected during the life of the project.

“Our contribution agreement is part of the planning permission and, in the case of Germany Beck, this will deliver a significant amount of funding to improve highway infrastructure and create an environment which benefits the wider community.

“A new community sports facility has been built at Fulford School and further funds will support improvements to the local primary and secondary schools, while a land provision is available for an additional medical centre.”

As part of the multi-stage conservation programme a new wetland habitat is being created to provide an enhanced environment for water voles to thrive.

Enhancements will be made to the Germany Meadow nature conservation area to maximise and encourage wildlife biodiversity.

Mr Usher said: “We expect the various stages of the highway improvements will continue for the rest of the year and are looking at starting on-site construction in early 2017.

“Our construction partners, Howard Civil Engineering, will undertake the highway infrastructure and will help keep interested parties informed of the various road changes, throughout the project.

“We are exploring opportunities with the Parish Council and Fulford Library to display our regular updates on their notice boards. Residents and businesses can register on our website to receive the updates electronically in addition to the information available on our dedicated Persimmon Homes Germany Beck page at www.persimmonhomes.com/germanybeck