Decision day next week for controversial proposal to build 42 houses in leafy Grimsby-area village

Councillors will be recommended to approve the proposed development when they meet next Wednesday  

IT may prove to be  a disappointing start to 2026 for opponents of a proposed 42-housing development on the boundary of Waltham and Barnoldby-le-Beck.

A senior North East Lincolnshire Council planning officer is  recommending that councillors give the  green light to the scheme on  a 2.26-hectare greenfield site off Waltham Road.

There is opposition from many nearby residents as well from the parish councils in both Barnoldby-le-Beck and Waltham.

Broadly their objections are based on concerns about: 

* Traffic generation and impact on highway safety and amenity; 

* Impact on the 'gap' between Waltham and Barnoldby le Beck; 

* Lack of capacity within local services; 

* The scale and amount of development in the local area; 

* Impact on ecology and biodiversity; 

* Increased risk of flooding

The application is due to be determined at the NELC planning committee next Wednesday January 7 with a recommendation that it should be approved.

Government proposal to introduce identity cards has hit duff note with MP Melanie Onn

                                              

Melanie Onn - seeking reassurance

THE MP for Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Melanie Onn, has sounded words of caution on the Government's proposal to introduce identity cards.  

She told an end-of-year Commons debate: "There is a great deal of angst and concern around the proposal, and it is imperative that the concern is addressed.

"While I welcome initiatives to stop illegal working and workforce exploitation, I share some of those legitimate concerns, particularly around the cost of roll-out, the necessity of the legislation, and data security. 

"Trust is very fragile when it comes to digital systems.

"There needs to be certainty that any digital ID would come with the strongest safeguards, transparent oversight and guarantees that data cannot be misused or accessed without consent.

The MP continued: "However, I recognise that we are living in a digital age in which we all give up our personal data to corporations, both domestic and international, with barely a second thought, and without knowing what those who sit behind the corporations will do with our data or likeness."

The MP also sought  "reassurance" that any scheme would present value for money? 

She concluded: "The total cost of rolling out a national system would be significant.

"It is right that we understand how this compares with strengthening the forms of identification that we already have because they are plentiful."

Suffolk firm's proposal to change use of Cleethorpes hotel sparks objections from neighbours

New use proposed for former hotel

A PROPOSAL  to convert a Cleethorpes hotel into two Houses in Multiple Occupation could be determined next week

Having snapped up The Comat at auction, a Suffolk-based property developer, Danny Blooomfield, of DKB Homes, intends to convert the Yarra Road property back to its old status as two separate houses - one to have  eight bedrooms, the other to have six.

However, his plan has meet with a flurry of objections from nearby residents plus householders in  Lindsey Rise, Wigmore Court, Orion Way, The Crofts,  Heron Close, North Sea Lane, Hardys Road, Alberry Way, Minshull Road,  Cuttleby, Cambridge Road, Lichfield Road, Brian Avenue,  Albert Road and Weekes Road.          

According to North East Lincolnshire Council, the opposition is based broadly on the proximity of the property to St Peter's School and the potential for:

* Parking issues

* Immigration changing the area's demographic

* Overcrowding 

* Impact on amenities

* Antisocial behaviour and crime

* Lack of local employment

The application is due to be determined  at a meeting on the morning of Wednesday January 7 with a recommendation from NELC planners that it should be approved. 

If planning consent is granted, the conservatory at the rear would be demolished to make way for a bin store and cycle shelter.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns keen to recruit two ambitious high-fliers to "turn vision into reality"

                                                             

Dame Andrea Jenkyns speaking in Grimsby after her triumph in last year's mayoral elelction 

THE Reform Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire is looking to ease her workload by recruiting two senior (and well-paid) officers.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns wants to appoint a chief executive on an annual salary of £130,000 with the added carrot  of a possible £10,000 performance-related bonus.

Says the job description: "This is a rare and career-defining opportunity to be at the forefront of a bold new chapter in regional leadership - one that turns vision into reality and lays the foundations for long-term success."

Meanwhile, a vacancy also exisits for a director of strategy and operations who will be paid £90,000 per annum with the added inducement of a £5,000 per annum performance bonus.

The closing date for applications for the first post is Sunday January 4, while applicants for the second position have until Friday January 12.

Both jobs will be based in Lincoln.

Planning green light for bookmaking firm to change use of vacant shop on St Peter's Avenue

                                            

Betting firm keen to take over this empty Cleethorpes shop 

BOOKMAKING giants Betfred are set to relocate from their existing premises in Cleethorpes to a vacant shop nearby.

The firm has secured the planning thumbs-up  from North East Lincolnshire Council to change the use of The Works which closed early last year.

In simple terms, it is moving from 37 St Peters Avenue to 31.

A statement from Betfred's representatives reads: "The property has been vacant following the departure of The Works in early 2024.

"The marketing agents robustly marketed the property for 18 months to seek a retail user but received only  limited and only tentative approaches.

"Betfred therefore made an approach with a view to relocating their existing store a few doors down."

The statement continues: "Betfred is the world’s biggest privately owned betting company and one of the UK’s biggest privately-owned retail outlets. 

"Licensed betting shops are regarded as being main town centre uses and are seen to maintain the vitality and viability in local town and district centres by complementing the main retail and commercial function. 

"The focusing of Betfred’s business within the town centre area will bring a unit back into use which supports economic growth and will free up an additional unit for other retailers." 

Granting consent, NELC planning officer Becca Soulsby comments: "The proposal is for the change of use from a vacant retail unit to a betting shop. 

"This includes some minor alterations within the shopfront to include a replacement entrance door and painting of the existing framework.

"The application site is currently vacant and brings an empty unit within the town centre back into a viable use.

"The proposal does not present any adverse impacts having regard to the retail hierarchy, visual amenity, local amenity, flood risk, drainage, highways or ecology considerations."

It is not known what will happen to Betfred's existing premises on St Peter's Avenue once it has completed its move.

Compliments of the festive season to our readers and correspondents from all at the Grimsby News

                     

                                               

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers 

Police raid on empty shop in Grimsby's Freeman Street reveals hoard of illicit smoking products

                                                       

The illicit products seized in the raid 

                                                        

A TOTAL of 313 pouches of illicit tobacco, 348 vapes and 93,120 illegal cigarettes have been seized from storage in a vacant shop in Grimsby.

The premises have not been identified but are said to be in Freeman Street.

The discovery came following a raid by police and council trading standards officers.

No one has been arrested  and investigations are continuing. 

A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: "It is thought that, if legitimate, the  value of the tobacco products would  be around £80,814, but their 'street value' is more likely  to be  just over £25,000."

The vapes are believed to have a street value of around £3,500.

Insp Pete Musgrave, of Humberside police, said: "I hope this latest seizure of counterfeit and illicit products demonstrates our determination to pursue every possible avenue to disrupt those who are involved in this type of criminality.

"Operations such as these are often linked to the funding of organised crime groups, with connections to modern-day slavery and human trafficking.

"These are not victimless crimes, and agencies will continue to support one another, acting on information and intelligence that the public provides."