Success for councillor in controversial bid to fell conifers despite objection from NELC trees officer

                                           

It looks like curtains for this strip of conifer tree on Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes

 

A LINE of conifer trees in Cleethorpes  looks likely to be felled.

At a North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting, members gave the go-ahead for the trees at the junction  of Taylors Avenue and Middlethorpe Road to be removed to make way for . . . a 1.8-metre high fence.

The decision came in the face of the council’s policy which is to safeguard trees as part of its ‘greening’ agenda.

In this particular case, the council’s trees officer, Paul Chaplin further stated that the conifers' replacement with a fence would have "a detrimental impact" on the existing ambience and visual character of Taylors Avenue.

But he was overruled by councillors who agree with the applicant, their long serving and popular planning committee colleague Cllr Bill Parkinson, that a fence will look more pleasing.

Cllr Parkinson took part no part in the decision-making process and was absent from the discussion.

However, the trees' date with a chainsaw may be delayed, at least until autumn, because the 2025 bird nesting season is now in full swing and  disturbance would risk putting the councillor in breach of the law.

A condition of the planning consent is that the fence must be painted green.

The Grimsby News says: What is the point of the council formulating  a safeguarding policy on trees if it then allows it so readily to be disregarded? And can the planning committee really  be totally impartial in its decision-making if the applicant is its longest serving member and, to everyone who knows him, a jolly good egg? Whatever the pros and cons of this proposal, it should have been determined independently, either by members of another planning authority or by an impartial inspector. 

Countdown to collision: Marine Accident Investigation Bureau publishes first findings on what went wrong

                                                     

Schematic of last Monday's accident (photo: Fortuna imperatrix  mundi via Wikimedia Commons)

The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau has today published its preliminary findings on the ship collision near the mouth of the Humber Estuary on March 10.

 As Stena Immaculate approached the Humber Estuary on 9 March 2025, the officer of the watch contacted Associate British Ports (ABP) Vessel Traffic Services Humber and was advised to proceed to anchor at a position 5 miles to the north of the Humber light float and 2 miles clear of any pipeline. 

At about 18302, Stena Immaculate’s master manoeuvred the vessel as directed to a position north of ABP Humber’s area of responsibility where it anchored. 

There were eight other vessels anchored in the same area.

 By 2000 on 9 March 2025, Solong had departed Grangemouth, Scotland, disembarked the pilot and commenced its passage to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

Solong’s planned passage followed a route the vessel had used in the past. 

The master remained on watch until shortly before 2300, then handed the watch over to the second officer and retired to bed.

Shortly before midnight, Stena Immaculate’s second officer  took over the anchor watch at the start of a 12-hour duty period.

 At approximately 0130 on 10 March 2025, Solong passed the Longstone Lighthouse off the north-east coast of England and altered course onto a heading of approximately 150°. 

Solong maintained this course except for a slight deviation at 0345.

 At 0700, Solong’s master returned to the bridge and took over the watch as the lone watchkeeper. 

The visibility in the area north of the Humber light float was reported to be patchy and varying between 0.25 nautical miles (nm) and 2.0nm. 

Neither Solong nor Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout on the bridge. 

At 0947, Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate’s port side on a heading of 150° and speed over the ground of about 16 knots ). 

Able seaman Mark Pernia, one of Solong’s crew, was reported to be in the forecastle area at the time of the collision.

The collision breached Stena Immaculate’s No.7 port cargo tank, releasing aviation fuel into the sea and on to the bow of Solong. 

The aviation fuel was ignited by the heat generated by the force of the collision, and the resulting fire ignited the contents of containers carried on board Solong. 

The crews of both Solong and Stena Immaculate took immediate action to address the evolving situation. 

Attempts by Stena Immaculate’s crew to fight the fire, and for Solong’s crew to locate the missing able seaman were hampered by the severity of the fire. 

Both the Stena Immaculate and the Solong crew abandoned to lifeboats and were subsequently recovered by the efforts of local boats and emergency responders, coordinated by His Majesty’s Coastguard.

 Able seaman Mark Pernia has not been found and is believed to have died in the accident.

Both Solong and Stena Immaculate are currently undergoing salvage operations and an evaluation of the nature and extent of pollution from both vessels is in progress.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. 

This will encompass:

* The navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels

*Manning and fatigue management

* The condition and maintenance of the vessels involved

*The use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary

* The environmental conditions at the time 

A report of the investigation will be drafted and will be distributed to key stakeholders for a 30-day consultation period in due course. 

The race to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire - full line-up of candidates

                                            

Grimsby Town Hall where the votes will be counted in to the night with the result likely to be announced at daybreak on Friday May 2 

THE following individuals have thrown their hats into the ring to become first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire:    

* Sally Horscroft - Green Party

* Andrea Jenkyns – Reform UK

* Marianne Overton – Independent

* Jason Stockwood – Labour

* Rob Waltham – Conservative

* Trevor Young - Liberal Democrats

Nominations closed at 4pm today.

Polling will take place in Grimsby Town Hall  on May 1.

The wait goes on - work unlikely to start on Sea Road 'amenities' building before end of April

                                                         

How the proposed Sea Road building might look after dark 

 

THE delay in starting construction of the proposed 'amenities' building in Sea Road, Cleethorpes, looks set to continue at least until after the Easter holiday.

There has been next to no progress on the project since the start of the year, partly after it emerged that telephone cables under the site needed to be-routed.

Says a spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council:  "The final set of utility diversions (BT Openreach) will be completed in early April.

"This means that construction  will start soon after the Easter break."

The intention is for the building to incorporate state-of-the-art WCs to replace those that previously existed (along with a pub) on the same site.

Because, these WCS are not ready, NELC faces the unwelcome cost of hiring portable loos which will be in  place at least until; the end of summer.

Meanwhile, the proposed 're-modelling' project for nearby Pier Gardens is also on hold.

NELC has not yet appointed a contractor, nor even applied for planning permission for what is a major scheme, involving the replacement of the long-established lawns with hard surfacing of various types.

It is believed to have consulted with organisations such as Historic England, Anglian Water and drainage and ecology experts, but so far their advice is being kept under wraps.   

Council issues start-of-the month update on long-running repairs to Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge

                                                          

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued this update on the Corporation Road Bridge re[pairs project.

Works to Grade II listed structure, Corporation Road Bridge have been progressing, with grit blasting and painting works continuing to Spans 5 and 6.

The northern footway has been waterproofed and is about to be surfaced to allow the switching of works to the opposite side. 

As this work is undertaken, the pedestrian footway will switch from the south side of the bridge to the north side.

A final footway treatment will be added later in the works.

To take advantage of anticipated low tide levels, weekend working will also continue to take place this month.

Footway closures are also required while works are taking place adjacent to public areas to ensure the safety of both the public and the workers on site.

To help complete remaining sections of the works the footway may be closed for  one or two days a week if conditions allow.

Footway closures will take place between 9am and 4pm each weekday as detailed below. 

The footway will remain open during the weekend working dates. Temporary signs will be in place for the footway closures.

April 2025 weekend working and footway closure dates:

South footway closures

Tuesday 1 April

Wednesday 2 April (provisional)

Wednesday 9 April

Wednesday 16 April

Wednesday 23 April

Wednesday 30 April

Weekend working

Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April

Saturday 19 April and Sunday 20 April

North East Lincolnshire Council, its delivery partner, Equans, and the  contractor, Spencer Group, would like to thank the public for their patience while the work is being undertaken.

Colourfully-plumaged birds could be introduced to Freshney Place as footfall-boosting visitor attraction

 

Freshney Place offers plenty of natural light and the roof is high

FREE-flying exotic birds such as parrots, macaws, tanagers and hummingbirds  could  be introduced to Grimsby's Freshney Place shopping centre as a visitor attraction.

It is believed such an initiative could encourage more footfall to the potential trading benefit of those shops which have a presence within the premises.

The proposal would ‘dovetail' with North East Lincolnshire Council’s aspiration to extend Freshney Place’s traditional role as  a retail centre to one offering leisure, entertainment and a medical facility.

However, it is not the NELC administration which  has come up with the brainchild but an organisation called the Institute of Applied Ornithology which has links not just with international avian organisations but also zoos all over the world.

Says chief executive Robin Finch: “In effect, Freshney Place would become a giant indoor aviary.

"Because, it is so blessed with natural daylight and a high atrium, we think it is ideal for such a venture.

"If successful, we think it could be adopted at Meadowhall, Brent Cross and other UK shopping centres.

"As yet, we have not identified our preferred species, but we would obviously favour those with bright plumage - the whole purpose is to provide shoppers with  a sense of magic and wonder with splashes of fast-moving colour.

"As well as creating a vibrant shopping experience, we think this concept will encourage greater interest in birds and the natural environment."

From where might our feathered friends be sourced? 

There is no question of using British species in this venture because it is against the law  to capture wild birds.

Although there is an extensive global black market in trapped wildlife, the institute deems it unethical as well illegal to import wild caught birds, and insists it would shun any offers from unscrupulous rogue traders.

Instead, it would take advantage of its long-established links with zoos all over the world to buy or borrow birds that derive from long-established aviary-bred bloodlines.

Assuming the project proceeds, Some adjustments would need to be made to the entrance and exit points of Freshney Place to prevent the birds from escaping.

In order to provide perching, roosting and foraging habitat, natural foliage, including some tall trees and shrubs, will also be required.

According to plans seen by the Grimsby News,  these would be located along the whole length of the centre of the walkway.

Up to four jobs would be created. 

The main responsibilities of those engaged would be both to ensure the welfare of the birds and plants and to keep the centre clean.

However, ‘educational engagement’ with the public, including school parties, would also be  part of the job description.

As far as is known, shopkeepers welcome the proposal, though management at clothing retailers have cautioned about birds flying into their premises and potentially soiling stock.

It is understood one birdfood supplier with strong links to the area has been approached to partsponsor the venture.

It would not set a Grimsby  precedent if birds were free-flying within Freshney Place. In October, 2022, there was a Sparrowhawk (above) in the main Asda store in Grimsby. However, it proved such a distraction to shoppers (below) and staff that it was released after just a few days.

                                 

Another win for China as chemicals company Solensis pulls plug on Grimsby factory

                                                                   

The curtain comes down on another South Bank chemicals factory 

PRODUCTION of  chemicals is today reported to have ceased at the Solenis factory on Moody Lane in Grimsby with the loss of 26 jobs. 

Sluggish demand and ever-rising costs has prompted the American company's management, which is based in Wilmington, Delaware, to outsource production to a supplier in China. 

Decommissioning of the factory and grounds, which cover 36 acres, will take place between now and September. 

The nearby Novartis Ings factory closed a few years ago.

The Solenis factory sits adjacent to a recently created mitigation habitat for wetland birds