Long-legged, curve-beaked wading bird proposed as 'mascot' for Pleasure Island redevelopment project

                            

On the prowl for something to eat - a Curlew on Cleethorpes beach

A CURLEW could be adopted as the "mascot" if the proposed redevelopment of the former Pleasure Island theme park goes ahead.

The idea has been put forward by Lichfelds, the agents acting on behalf of the scheme's applicants, as part of an initiative to keep planners and  conservationists sweet.

Among the latter are Natural England and the RSPB who have expressed concerns that Curlews and other declining shorebirds could face increased disturbance if the Cleethorpes coastline becomes target destination for thousands of boisterous  holidaymakers.

Another proposal is for the redeveloped site to have its own dedicated Coastal Ranger  "for the lifetime of the lodge development".   

Subject to the organisation's  agreement, the appointee would be employed by the Humber Nature Partnership who would receive a financial contribution of approximately  £22,264 per annum - to be increased in line with inflation - to subsidise the role.

The intention is for the Ranger not just to monitor the shorebird bird population, plus incidents where they are disturbed, but also (good luck with this!) to "educate" holidaymakers about the importance of conservation.

The draft job description for the role outlines the main responsibilities thus:

1. To undertake programmes of ornithological and disturbance monitoring in accordance with agreed monitoring and reporting protocols.  

2. Monitoring and reporting any disturbance events or issues to stakeholders to enable continual review of the role and findings. 

3. To provide advice to holiday park and recreational users concerning the value of the coast to wildlife and how they can undertake their activities while avoiding disturbance.  

4. To support with effective public engagement programmes, including guided walks, educational programmes and help deliver compelling social media campaigns. 

5. To support holiday park engagement activities which may include the coordination of partners, local recreational groups, local industry and community groups to share the message about the importance of the Humber Estuary and connect people to the natural environment.   

6. Participate in the delivery of informative, engaging, inclusive and participative engagement programmes that connect people and place through storytelling, participation and learning, inspiring and helping to build capacity. 

7. Support the work of the partners, local community groups, the community and recreational user groups to share understanding of ecological issues and the place.  

8. Support with the delivery of important initiatives to conserve important wintering and breeding bird populations and their habitat.  

9. Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected at this level.

The site's redevelopment will be recommended for approval at a meeting on Thursday, but it is unclear whether any of the above will be included as a formal planning condition of consent.

Ornithological note: Probably fewer than a dozen pairs of Curlews nest in Lincolnshire, but none anywhere near Cleethorpes. A few non-breeders linger in the Humber Estuary over summer, but most depart our shores in spring to nest in Scandinavia, chiefly at sites in Finland, thereafter to return to our beaches in autumn and winter.

The Grimsby News says: Cynics might see the Curlew mascot idea as an attempt at "greenwashing". It reflects what has happened widely across increasingly built-up North East Lincolnshire where housing estates have been given names which include the words "fields", "forest" or "meadows" and where new streets have been named after  birds, trees or wildflowers. It is uncertain if the applicants have the slightest interest in the welfare of Curlews, but, to give them their due, the idea of one being one used as a logo is bright. In addition, the appointment of a Coastal Ranger would certainly (assuming the duties are fulfilled) do no harm.  

New council leader's rejig proposal for Cleethorpes Market Place scheme has put officers in a bit of a tizz

                                                         

What happens next? It's anyone's guess

     

SENIOR NELC officials  have warned of the risks that loom if the Cleethorpes Market Place pedestrianisation scheme is re-jigged.

New council leader Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker) has put the cat among the pigeons by seeking amendments even after the contractors have started the project.

For the benefit of traders and their customers, he  favours the retention of 12 short-term parking places in winter when there are likely to be fewer pedestrians.

But his proposal - described as 'recalibration' - has flummoxed  officers who warn of  the following risks:

* Loss or clawback of Levelling-up funding if delivery requirements are not met 

* Reputational risk arising from perceived inconsistency or change in direction 

* Project delay

* Public dissatisfaction where expectations differ 

The administrative cost of changing tack would be £10,00-plus 

The council leader also favours waiving short-term parking charges at the sites off St Peter's Avenue and behind the Old Vic pub - moves that could, says officers,  cost the authority £72,500 per annum in lost income.

It has also emerged that, whatever course is pursued, a barrier-bollards installation is being proposed. How ugly will that be!

The issues are due to be thrashed out on the morning of Friday, July 10, at Grimsby Town Hall.

The public are welcome to attend the meeting which starts at 9am.

The Grimsby News says: Whatever  the  advantages and disadvantages of the proposal and counter-proposal, NELC has got itself into a muddle of its own making. The previous Conservative administration is to blame for this. In its deliberations, it should have been open and transparent from the outset. Instead meetings were held in private between interested parties, project board officers and cabinet portfolio-holders with next to no attempt to engage the public. Regrettably, it has been exactly the same secret approach around the corner from the market place at Pleasure Gardens where a similarly controversial project is underway. As has often been said, democracy dies behind closed doors. The new leader is to be commended in seeking to bring light and fresh air into how NELC conducts its affairs.

Senior NELC planner says Pleasure Island project will ('in the main') improve character of area - is she right?

                                         

The sprawling Pleasure Island site covers some 23.7 hectares

A SENIOR NELC planning case officer  has revealed why she is is recommending that the Pleasure Island redevelopment project should proceed.

Says Cheryl Jarvis: "The proposal represents a major mixed-use scheme on a site in the heart of the allocated resort area. 

"Utilising a mixture of brownfield and greenfield land it would result in an effective use of the land by providing a mix of uses that would contribute to the local economy and vitality of the resort while, in the main, improving the character and contribution of the site to the local area. 

"The project would support tourism in the local area but is diverse in its nature in such a way  as to create an attraction for local people to enjoy.

"This also includes the retention of a key pedestrian route through to the beach."

However, though her influence will be substantial, it is not Ms Jarvis who will make the decision.

This will fall - next Wednesday morning  July 8 - to members of NELC's planning  committee, all of whom are under an obligation to pause any pre-held prejudices and to address the application with an open mind in fairness to applicants and objectors alike.

Agents for the project says NELC stands to benefit from as much as £575,000 per annum in business rates if the project materialises as intended, but this is not thought to be a planning consideration. 

The make-up of the committee is expected to be:

Chairperson: Cllr Matthew Patrick (Lab, Heneage)

Deputy chairperson: Cllr J Goodwin (Lab, South)

Cllr Paul  Batson (Reform, South)

Cllr Bob Callison (Reform, Sidney Sussex))

Cllr Darren Mayne (Reform, Wolds)

Cllr Edward Kaczmarek (Lab, Sidney Sussex)

Cllr Ian Lindley (Con, Scartho)

Cllr Henry Hudson (Con, Wolds)

Cllr Bill  Parkinson (Con, Haverstoe) 

Cllr Paul Bright (Ind, Freshney)

Cllr Lloyd Emmerson (Lib-Dem, East Marsh)

Cllr Parkinson is the committee's only member of Cleethorpes' Haverstoe ward, location of Pleasure Island.

What he has to say will be eagerly awaited not just by the planning case officer Jarvis, but also by his committee colleagues and by any members of the public who choose to attend the meeting which will be held in Grimsby Town Hall starting at 9.30am.

Get grappling! Beach wrestling tournament coming to sands near leisure centre later this month

Organised beach wrestling is coming to Cleethorpes  on Saturday July 25. The action will take place adjacent to the leisure centre between 11am and 1.30pm. It is not known if there will be separate sections for men and women or if the tournament will be solely for the former.

Loadsajobs! Pleasure Island team predict huge employment boost if scheme proceeds

                                                              

Pleasure Island - jobs boost expected if project proceeds

WILL the consortium seeking to redevelop Pleasure Island  have funds to complete the scheme?

Back in 2024, the estimated construction costs were put at approximately £71.2-million.

But since then, factors such as inflation, have skyrocketed such that the figure could now be in excess of £100-million.

For this reason, the works would inevitably have to be phased over several years - possibly to the end of this decade and beyond.

According to a planning and economic statement issued on behalf of the applicants, there will be " approximately 885 full-time equivalent people employed through the construction period".

It continues: "There would also be the economic impact through sourcing of materials and equipment and knock on benefits to local supply chains."

Once operational, it is reckoned that  "approximately 325 jobs" will be created overall across the site. 

If the venture proves attractive to holidaymakers, the estimate is that  it will lead to 404,760 visitor nights per annum with  a projected £26.2-million of visitor expenditure per annum. 

NELC planners believe these economic benefits  "weigh in support of the principle of development".

Decision imminent on Pleasure Island project - and it's looking good for revamp consortium

                                    

The buildings at Pleasure Island (and most of the trees) will be removed to make way for the proposed  redevelopment

A DECISION is imminent on the longstanding proposal to redevelop Pleasure Island.

The Grimsby News understands that North East Lincolnshire Council is poised to give the go-ahead for the controversial project.

It is possible that senior planner Cheryl Jarvis may rubber-stamp the scheme under delegated powers without the faff of consideration by councillors.

the application will go before the authority's planning committee - with a recommendation for approval - on July 8.

But it seems more likely that the application will go before the authority's planning committee - with a recommendation for approval - next Wednesday, July 8.

It was back in 2020 that property tycoon Sze Ming Yeung announced his intention to transform the former theme park to what he reckoned could be Lincolnshire's equivalent to Center Parcs.

Since then, a lot of water has flown under the bridge - the plans have been  radically modified, much of Mr Yeungs' property development aspirations have drowned in an ocean of debt . . . and the on-site Japanese knotweed has continued to run riot.

Starved of investment for a revamp, Pleasure Island could have faced decades of dereliction - that is until a deep-pocketed fairy godmother came forward in the unlikely form of discount supermarket chain Lidl which is main player in  a consortium.

The retailer has been working with James Cox in the Leeds office of the agents, Lichfields, to come up with a scheme that they believe will not just be commercially viable but also acceptable to the NELC planning hierarchy.

Although there has been extensive community support for the redevelopment, there have also been many objections.

Some have been lodged by residents but others came from  heavyweight organisations such as the Environment Agency, concerned about flood risk, and Natural England which has expressed alarm about the potential  impact of a huge influx of visitors on a fragile eco-system - in particular  on the welfare of declining shorebirds such as Curlew and Dunlin.

After extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations, most of the points of contention seem to have been resolved, even if with some degree of nervousness.

At least from statutory consultees, there are not thought to be any continuing objections, paving the way for the NELC planning green light.

However, consent will come with many restrictions - for instance, seasonal-only occupancy of the caravans  and a (possibly unenforceable) 'no dogs' policy.

Assuming consent is granted, the redevelopment (which includes two hotels and 272 holiday cabins) will most likely be carried out in phases over several years, starting with the construction of a Lidl store and car park.

The former theme park is in Cleethorpes' Haverstoe ward.

It is not known what name will be chosen for the redeveloped site, but it seems unlikely that 'Pleasure Island' will be retained.

NELC trees officer confident Pleasure Island scheme has potential to improve site's 'visual amenity'

Doomed - most of the trees within Pleasure Island are earmarked for the chop

THERE has been a boost for the consortium seeking to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes.

North East Lincolnshire Council's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, has expressed optimism for  the project because he is confident new planting will compensate for the loss of many mature trees.

There is a good chance, too, that many of the trees along the King's Road frontage of the site will be retained. 

Says he: "The broad principles  behind the site wide landscape scheme are acceptable.

"In the context of of Cleethorpes being a holiday destination, the landscaping proposal site with its linear park have the potential greatly to improve the visual amenity of the area and the wider resort."

What about the fate of the existing trees, many of longstanding heritage?

The officer seems relaxed about their removal.

"The initial level of site clearance is recognised and has been considered," he comments.