Charity's 'tough decision' to pull out of Veterans' Village

FOUNDER 'ABSOLUTELY GUTTED' BUT SAYS 'IT'S THE RIGHT THING'

- By DEBORAH HALL

A PIONEERING Veterans' Village proposed for Hull has been shelved.

The scheme was to be developed on a 22-acre site off Priory Road, with work to break ground there starting in November 2023, and was aimed at helping Armed Forces personnel transition from military to civilian life. Hull 4 Heroes, the charity behind the plan, said changes in operational priorities and spiralling development costs had meant the scheme could not continue.

Paul Matson, the founder and CEO of Hull 4 Heroes, said the Veterans' Village had had its "knockbacks" along the way that had increased the cost from £8m to £17m. He said he was "gutted, absolutely gutted" that the scheme would not now go ahead.

In a statement on social media, Hull 4 Heroes said it has stepped back from a bid to acquire an Asset of Community Value from Hull City Council - land off Coronation Road and Priory Road, where the proposed facility was to be built. Paul said: "It is with deep regret that we feel we can no longer take the Veterans' Village forward. The decision has not been taken lightly."