Future of Taylors Avenue conifer hedge set to be decided at planning meeting next week

                                                                         

Members of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee will determine future of these conifer trees

 

AN uncertain future awaits a hedge of conifer trees that grow in a private garden next to Middlethorpe Primary School in Cleethorpes.

The trees are undistinguished Leylandii trees but they provide attractive greenery enhancement at the  junction  of Taylors Avenue and Middlethorpe Road.

However, the hedge's owner  wants to remove it in favour of installing a 1.8-metre high boundary fence.

Unfortunately for him, North East Lincolnshire Council's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, has raised an objection so the removal proposal must wait pending the outcome of discussions next week.

A report states: "The introduction of a 1.8-metre high boundary fence would be highly visible from adjoining streets, particularly Taylors Avenue, as well as the adjoining public footway given its prominent position on a corner plot. 

"It is noted that there are fences in the area, but the surrounding area is mostly made up of landscaping which contribute to its pleasant appearance."

The report continues: "The council's tree officer has expressed concerns that the removal of the hedging in this location would have a detrimental impact to the existing ambience and character of Taylors Avenue and has objected on this basis. 

"In addition, it is considered that the fence would be detrimental to the visual character of the area, in this instance by reason of its stark and solid finish and its height. 

"Painting or staining the fence would not mitigate this impact. 

"Equally, while planting is proposed behind the fence, this would take time to establish and would do little to mitigate the visual impacts of the fence. 

"Additionally, while there are other fences on the other side of the road, their impact is greatly reduced by the verge at these locations which step them back substantially from the road.

"As such, it is considered that the proposal would harm the street scene to a significant degree."

NELC's ecology officer, Rachel Graham, has raised no objection so long as no works are carried out during the nesting season which, for some species, is already underway.

The application is due to be determined next Wednesday morning at a meeting of the planning committee.                                           

 The fence on the other side of the road

Another option nearby - here the hedging has been planted on the street side of the fence

                                                     

Making Grimsby a little greener - pupils get stuck in with Cambridge Street tree-planting project

Above and below: Greening up Grimsby - some of those who took part in the Cambridge Street initiative

HATS off to all concerned with the latest 'greening' initiative in Grimsby.

Pupils and young adults from Cambridge Park Academy and Grange Primary School planted 11 native trees on Cambridge Road.

Applauding their efforts, NELC's portfolio holder for the environment Cllr Henry Hudson said: "A big thank you to everyone who took part.

"It is wonderful to see these young people getting involved in such an important project.

"There are so many benefits that trees offer us, not least of which is the effect they have on our efforts to get to net zero by capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.

"They also provide precious nesting and feeding habitat for songbirds, pollinating insects and other wildlife."  

He added: "The council will continue to work with partners, local businesses and community groups to increase tree canopy cover across North East Lincolnshire."

* The tree species planted are: six hedge maple (Acer campestre ), four bird cherry (Prunus padus) and one hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).

Concerned councillor sounds alert on rogue traders - 'they can be real menace to our communities'

                                                                 

Cllr Shepherd - taking aim at the rogues

A RAP for rogue traders has come from a senior North East Lincolnshire councillor.

"Rogue traders can be a real menace to our communities," says Cllr Ron Shepherd. "Please do look out for your family members, particularly older people, who may be targeted."

Cllr Shepherd, who is portfolio holder for safer communities, is concerned by reports of cold callers offering to carry out home improvements.

Often they appear to be qualified tradespeople who suggest urgent works are required and demand large upfront payments.

Warning signs include the absence of written quotes and  lack of a physical business address.

Common services offered by these unscrupulous individuals include general building work, gardening work, roofing, repairs and maintenance, and driveway resurfacing.

People can report cold callers to Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Anyone  who has concerns or feels threatened should call Humberside Police on 101.

Cleethorpes all set for Super Saturday with craft market, street theatre and New Orleans-style music

                                                                 

A CRAFT fair is to be held in St Peter’s Church Hall between 10am and 4pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Local artists and makers will be selling such products as crystal jewellery, cheese, artwork, greetings cards, homeware and themed gifts.

The event is one of many over Love Cleethorpes Day which is being promoted by Discover North East Lincolnshire.

Elsewhere, Sea View Street will be hosting street food, live music and street theatre performances.

Throughout the day, there will also be a range of great street theatre acts including the Stupid Cupid trio, the  Blooming Tall stilt walkers and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, a New Orleans-style brass band.

For more information, visit: 

 Discover North East Lincolnshire | LOVE CLEETHORPES event – Discover North East Lincolnshire

Work delayed on Sea Road amenity building after discovery of underground telecommunication cables

All quiet on the eastern front - operations  have been temporarily suspended on the Sea Road site

 

CLARIFICATION has come on the delay in cracking on with the proposed showpiece  amenity building on Sea Road in Cleethorpes. 

The project has  ground to a halt with no signs of construction activity at all so far this month.

Quizzed by the Grimsby News, North East Lincolnshire Council has revealed that telephone lines have been discovered on site.

These are due to be dug up and diverted so that  construction work can resume.

Says a NELC statement: "BT Openreach will be on site next week to undertake utility diversions.

"The cables need to be moved from their current location, which runs through the site, into the pathway so that future maintenance can be safeguarded.

"Work will start on site on Monday 24 February for approximately three weeks.

"The pathway on the Pier Gardens side of Sea Road, past the hoardings, will need to be partially closed off for the duration of the works.

"Businesses in the area have been informed about the works, which are necessary before the main build can begin."

NELC had hoped the project would be complete in time for the summer season, but this now looks unlikely.

The authority remains tight-lipped about whether a prospective  anchor tenant has signed up for the project.

 

The padlocked entrance to the site

Foundation samples to be taken next week as council prepares way for Cleethorpes Market Place makeover

                                                               

Cleethorpes Market Place - council aims to start redevelopment later this year

CORE samples are to be taken next week to determine the condition of sections of the pavement and foundations in Cleethorpes Market Place.

The proposed work is ahead of the prospective makeover which, whether business owners like it or not, is scheduled to start towards the end of the year.

Of  the sampling, which will take place next Wednesday and Thursday, North East Lincolnshire Council says: "These will provide us with a good understanding on where we potentially require additional pavement works during construction.  

"Several individual parking bays in the area will be taken out of action for a short period as the surveys are carried out.

"In addition,  sections of street will need to be closed off for short periods to take these core samples.

"Localised traffic management will be implemented while this is done. Each sample will take approximately one hour.

"Once the work has been completed, the information can be included within the tender package for the redevelopment starting later this year."

According to NELC, the history of market activity in the town now known as Cleethorpes dates as far back as 1322 - possibly earlier.

The Grimsby News says: It has not been clarified by NELC whether opposition from business owners in  the Market Place has now receded. Unfortunately, all the discussions were held in private, so no one is any the wiser about the extent to which the project is either supported or opposed. Before work starts, we believe a planning application should be submitted so that the issues, including any traders' grievances, can be outlined and evaluated in full. Given the rich history of this part of town, an in-depth archaeological survey is also essential.

The new design presents  the existing car park (in purple) as a prospective 'flexible events space'

                                                      

Intriguing - NELCC has published this photograph of the Market Place as it was more than a century ago 

A bit of a kicking! Council leader admits his communication "could have been better"

                                         

Scene of last night's meeting - Grimsby Town Hall

"THIS meeting was called to give me a bit of a kicking, and I accept that. . . "

So said North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson at last night's special meeting of the authority.

He was in the hot seat for recent correspondence with Whitehall  in which he has apparently given the nod to a shake-up of local government which would  lead to the demise of NELC.

He continued: "I hold my hands up - I should have consulted with the council’s other political group leaders.

"Communication should have been better."  

Cllr Jackson - humble pie

During the Grimsby Town Hall meeting, lasting just over an hour, Cllr Jackson’s comments were preceded and succeeded by those from Opposition members who variously accused him of "total arrogance", a "stitch-up" and of being "unfit to lead the council".

Cllr Oliver Freeston who defected last year from the Conservative Group  to Reform UK told Cllr Jackson: "You got it wrong - you should apologise."

Cllr Matthew Patrick accused Conservatives colleagues of the leader, some of whom spoke in his, being "a bunch of chickens".

To chuckles, Cllr Karl Wilson, said he was "well up" for giving the council leader "a good kicking" and callied for him to say two "apparently difficult" words: "I apologise".

A less confrontational approach was adopted  by the Lib-Dem and Independent councillors, with Cllr Paul Bright of the former Group pledging not to "go chasing Cllr Jackson in search of a scrap".

On a recorded vote, councillors voted 21-16 in favour of a  resolution submitted by the leader of the Independents, Cllr Steve Holland.

This calls for Whitehall to be sent a new letter dissociating itself from the one signed by Cllr Jackson and insisting on due diligence on potential impacts before reorganisation of local government in Greater Lincolnshire proceeds.

* For the benefit of ratepayers, last night's  meeting was screened live over the internet.