Planning thumbs-up for redevelopment of former Jungle Zoo site to become padel courts

  

Until it closed, The Jungle Zoo was habitat of parrots, macaws and other colourful creatures

THE planning green light has been given for the site of the former Jungle Zoo site in Cleethorpes to be redeveloped as padel courts.

The zoo closed several years ago since when the buildings have been destroyed by a fire.

Padel is a fast-growing racquet sport sometimes compared to a cross between tennis and squash and usually played in doubles.

As well as outdoor courts, plus a rain canopy, there may be a clubhouse.

Agents for the applicants, Newcastle-based East Coast Padel Ltd, say: "Overall, the proposed development represents a positive and beneficial reuse of the site for leisure purposes.

"It would reinstate an active recreational use, delivering modern, accessible, and much needed sports facilities for the local community, to be delivered by a padel operator with a proven track record. 

"It will make a valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing of residents while enhancing the recreational offer of Cleethorpes and more widely."  

The application was determined  by a senior  North East Lincolnshire Council case officer, Lauren Birkwood, without the need for it to be considered by the planning committee. 

Says she: "Although the canopy will be of a large scale, particularly in terms of height, it would be designed reasonably to ensure the impact on the character and appearance of the area would not be harmful. 

"Associated containers to accommodate a pay station and other facilities would be single storey in height and should not appear dominant.

"Residential properties are limited in the area, with the closest residents being on Bolingbroke Road approximately 165 metres away. 

"It is considered that there is a sufficient distance away to ensure issues such as dominance, overlooking and general noise and disturbance would be minimal. 

"There are commercial premises in the immediate vicinity, including the adjacent restaurant, but  this is detached from the site so general noise and disturbance should  be limited."

One of the conditions of consent is that all  activity areas and associated external lighting shall be restricted to the hours of between 06:00 and 23:00 daily.

Padel being played on a court in Hull

Most of the rubble remains of the aviaries and enclosures have  been cleared

Has he become Grimsby Town FC's newest fan? King Charles III makes his debut trip to Blundell Park

Will he wear at Buckingham Palace? His Majesty receives his Mariners shirt

IT must have been a highlight for King Charles on today's visit to Grimsby and Cleethorpes - being presented with a Grimsby Town FC shirt bearing the words, 'King Charles', and the number, '3'.

The king was evidently  well briefed before his arrival because he made a point of commenting on The Mariners' Carabao Cup giant-killing triumph against Manchester United last August.

On a rainy day, it was noted that His Majesty did not have a royal flunky to carry his umbrella - he held it himself.

Throughout his spell here, which took in the Horizon Youth Centre and the CARE hub, the King was applauded and cheered by residents of all ages (including one 106-year-old) who were genuinely inspired and honoured to welcome him.                                                                        

Glad to be in Grimsby - the King prepares to meet residents

                                                                             

Frontline supermarket chain in bid to install solar panels on roof of its store in Grimsby

                                       

SAINSBURYS in Grimsby could be the next commercial premises to install solar panels on its roof.

The supermarket chain has submitted a planning application to North East Lincolnshire Council for the installation which would generate renewable energy for the store on Corporation Road.

A note from its agents, Ineco Energy, states: "So far as is practicable, the panels will be sited so as to minimise any effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. 

"The proposal would not unacceptably harm the characteristics of the existing building or the character of its surroundings because the area is commercial in its appearance, set within a built-up area. 

"The proposal would not be prominently visible from the street scene as it is a tall building and, with the solar panels set clear from the external edges, it will not harmfully impact the design of the building and the area. 

"The  panels would be visible from certain heights, but they would not be prominently visible from the public realm or street level." 

The application is expected to be determined later this summer.

Five organisations to share in final £3,263 hand-out before NELC pulls plug on its Winsby Lottery

                                                   

Avocet - emblem of the RSPB whose Grimsby-area  group is one of the last beneficiaries of the Winsby Lottery 

 

FIVE  organisations have each been given a share of £3,263.36 from North East Lincolnshire Council's Winsby Lottery.

These are the last awards because the lottery is being wound up.

The awards are as follows: 

* £1500: 32nd Rainbow Guides

* £500: Harbour Place

* £500: Climb4

* £500: Waltham Windmill Preservation Trust

* £263.26: RSPB Grimsby Local Group

Says NELC: "The groups were randomly selected to help with running costs or ongoing projects."

Free short-term parking soon for Cleethorpes shoppers in market place and at two other sites

                                                       

Up to 12 free short-term parking spaces will be restored in Cleethorpes Market Place 

                                                       

IT looks like the controversial pedestrianisation of Cleethorpes Market Place will be watered down to make it less restrictive to motorists.

Following a review, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), has issued this statement: "We have taken a common sense approach to a project inherited from the previous administration.

"The contracts had already been signed, and cancelling the scheme would have come at a significant cost to taxpayers - although, for the record, it was not the £5 million figure previously claimed.

"The good news is that, subject to the necessary approvals and amendments to traffic regulations, we intend to move to a semi-pedestrianised scheme. 

"That means a more flexible approach that works for businesses, residents and visitors, rather than unnecessary restrictions all year round." 

The leader continues: "Our proposal will save 12 short-stay free parking spaces that would otherwise have been lost, ensuring they remain available whenever the road is open to traffic. 

"In addition, we intend to introduce a two-year trial of FREE one-hour parking at both the car park next to Boots and the Old Vic car park, which we intend to introduce within the next few months, subject to the necessary governance arrangements.

"This review has been well worth it. 

"We have listened, applied common sense, and improved a scheme we inherited. 

"My cabinet colleagues and I will continue to monitor progress closely to ensure it is delivered successfully and on time."

Trading Standards officers in surprise swoop on 25 jewellery premises in Grimsby and Cleethorpes

                                   

ONLY eight out of 25 jewellery shops in Grimsby and Clethorpes were found to be fully compliant with legislation when checks were carried out by North East Lincolnshire Council trading standards team.

During the operation, the local officers were joined by representatives of the Assay Office organisation which tests precious metals to ensure the hallmarks they carry are authentic.

During two days of inspections, they examined numerous items including gold chains, bracelets and  rings at 14 businesses in Grimsby and 11 in Cleethorpes. 

The aim of the project  was to determine how many jewellers in the area were following the correct laws and giving the customer a genuine piece of jewellery.

Their findings were as follows:

* 8 businesses not displaying dealer's notice - an official sign that is legally required  to give notice to customers about precious metals including its purity and the hallmarks

* 3 businesses displaying out-of-date dealer notices

*10 businesses displaying non-hallmarked items

* 2 businesses using scales not stamped for business use

Says NELC: "Only eight of the businesses were fully compliant, and a total of nine premises will be re-visited to ensure compliance with the Hallmarking Act 1973. 

"Information on these failures will be shared nationally to assist in building the intelligence picture – known as Operation Tudor Rose."

Graham Mogg, of Sheffield Assay Office, said: "Hallmarking of precious metals is the oldest form of consumer protection and it is vital that businesses selling gold, silver, platinum and palladium jewellery meet their legal obligations. 

"The hallmarking process provides independent verification of the purity, authenticity, and quality of precious metal items and it protects buyers from fraud." 

The council has not named the premises it visited, nor those where "issues" were detected.

It is not thought that any prosecutions will ensue.  

'Preventative' works now underway at Grimsby Central Library aimed at halting further rain damage

                                                                     

Works to repair roof now underway

WELL over a year after it was closed following a leak, works today started with the aim of stopping further rain ingress at Grimsby Central Library.

The contract for "initial preventative works" has been awarded to ABM Roofing.

The following statement has been issued by North East Lincolnshire Council: "Scaffolding is being put up on the pavement next to the rear loading doors of the building to allow the contractors to access the roof areas. 

"This will be protected by hoarding. There will be pavement diversions, but road closures are not anticipated at this time.

"The works will take approximately six weeks, with work happening on week days between approximately 8am to 4pm. 

"There should not be any significant noise."

The library closed in March last year over particular concerns that rain may have disturbed asbestos.

Most of the books  are currently in storage, though some are in the pop-up library in nearby Freshney Place.