Eyeball to eyeball! Liam's stunning photograph of handsome Oystercatcher unveiled by NELC

 

                              

A STUNNING close-up photograph of an Oystercatcher on Cleethorpes beach is being used by North East Lincolnshire Council to publicise World Environment Day 2026 which is this Friday June 5.

The shot was captured by frontline birder-photographer Liam Smith as he lay on the sand  just inches from the bird.

This borough does not boast any RSPB or Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserves but it is home to a range of protected habitats, most notably the south bank of the Humber.

Cleethorpes has its own official coastal ranger, Josh Forrester, who organises regular nature walks.

Says he: "North East Lincolnshire is incredibly fortunate to have such a rich and diverse natural environment."                                        

                      

Cleethorpes saltmarsh is home to many specialist plants and birds

New mayor's priorities will include include helping special needs children and planting more trees

The new mayor can count on plenty of family support

SOME  54 years after first stepping through the council doors as a young employee, Cllr Marian Boyd has been elected new mayor of North East Lincolnshire, a milestone that reflects both a lifetime of public service and a deep-rooted connection to the borough.

The mayor began her career with the authority in 1972 as a clerk in the education department, going on to build a long and varied career in  local government. 

She later moved into finance, gaining professional qualifications and rising through the ranks to lead a team within the borough treasurer’s department. 

Her work then took her into housing where she supported residents facing homelessness, an experience that would shape her enduring commitment to helping those most in need.

Now, five decades later, she has stepped into one of the borough’s most historic civic roles.

While the mayoralty is ceremonial and politically neutral, the mayor will continue to serve as councillor for Grimsby's Park ward alongside her mayoral duties over the coming year, a role she took on after being elected in 2022.

Describing her mayoral appointment as "an honour",” she has already set out her priorities, placing community support and awareness firmly at the centre of her mayoral year.

She will champion, in particular, two charities close to her heart: Bob’s Brainwaves, which supports carers of people living with dementia; and RNLI Cleethorpes.

But she is also highlights other of her priorities including:

*  The need for  increased tree planting

*  The importance of supported housing provision

*  Improvements to bus services.

*  Better outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities. 

Says Cllr Mrs Boyd: "It will be exciting to meet new people - it's something I love doing.

"I look forward to opportunities to talk to people in business, in charities, in schools and in churches.

"Anybody in the community can ask for the mayor to come to an event - they only have to contact the civic office in Grimsby Town Hall.

"The calendar is already filling up already.  I have done several events and I think is it going to be a great year."

The new mayor also reflected on her personal life.

"I am very fortunate to have the support of a wonderful family. 

"I have a husband, three healthy children and eight wonderful grandchildren, and we meet often," she continues." 

Of  North East Lincolnshire, the new mayor says: "We are incredibly lucky here. 

"We have affordable housing, the beach on our doorstep and beautiful villages in the Wolds. We are part of a tremendous community, with industry on the Humber Bank, a major port and surrounding farmland. There is a lot to be thankful for."

However, she is clear that challenges remain for many residents and emphasises that her mayoral year will be focused on highlighting those needs.

Cllr Mrs Boyd concludes: "I hope my contribution will help support the council’s wider ambitions and reflect the pride we all share in our borough."

Council installs 16 new rubbish bins along length of promenade to help Cleethorpes stay neat and tidy

 

                                                              

Cllr Freeston with members of the waste services team and Gary Edwards, Head of Waste and Operational Services (second from right)

             

A TOTAL of  16 additional bins have been sited on Cleethorpes Promenade for the summer season.

North East Lincolnshire Council has acted promptly following grumbles from some residents and visitors about the heavy overspill of rubbish over the May bank holiday.

Of the new bins, 15 have a capacity of 240 litres and one has a capacity of 1100 litres.

The investment provided a photo-opportunity for council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston to pose with waste services personnel.

Party of Weelsby Wood's Travellers sent packing following joint initiative by NELC and police

                                                     

Weelsby Woods - Grimsby beauty spot where Travellers were made unwelcome  

TRAVELLERS have moved on from Weelsby Woods in Grimsby four days after setting up what North East Lincolnshire Council describes as having been  "a large unauthorised encampment".

They decided to move on following an initiative involving the council and Humberside police.

A clear-up team has today been on site to remove what NELC says was "a small amount of waste".

Barriers which the visitors damaged to gain access to the land have now been repaired.

In what is believed to be his first media release since becoming leader of the authority, Cllr Oliver Freeston  said: "This is a great piece of joint working with our local police force and a good outcome for the community. 

"It is also  a strong message that North East Lincolnshire is not the place for illegal encampments, and we have the arrangements in place to deal with these quickly."

Agreed Cllr James Sawkins, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, agreed: "We decided quickly what action would be reasonable and necessary to resolve this situation.

"Weelsby Woods is a lovely space, intended for public use, and we will continue to take any action necessary to protect the area."

It is not known where the Travellers had come from, nor their next port of call.

Shadow over future of Morrisons Daily convenience stores as company battles to reduce debt mountain

An uncertain future beckons for Morrisons Daily convenience stores such as this one near Cleethorpes country park. The Bradford-based supermarket chain, which has been owned since 2121 by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, has recently revealed its intention to close some 100 such outlets across the UK as it struggles to  balance its books. At the end of the last financial year, its net debt is reported to have stood at £3.1-billion. 

It is discount supermarket chain Lidl that now calls the shots on Pleasure Island revamp project

Up to 272 holiday lodges are proposed

AGENTS for the proposed redevelopment of the former Pleasure Island theme park have confirmed that they are now taking their instructions from discount supermarket chain Lidl.

It is possible that some local property entrepreneurs have retained a stake, but the exact percentage of shareholdings is not known

With Lidl paying the the piper, it is fair to assume  that construction of a store will probably represent the first phase of the development, with arrival of the two hotels, 272 holiday lodges and other features further down the track.

The scheme still has not received planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council, but determination of the application  could come this summer.

Following various discussions, Lidl's agents, Lichfields, seem confident senior NELC planner Cheryl Jarvis  will recommend approval to the planning committee.

In his latest missive on the subject, Lichfields planning director James Cox  says "85 per cent of the site will be  dedicated to leisure and recreational uses". 

He writes: "These will include indoor leisure facilities, food and drink outlets, play parks and cycle hire.

"These facilities are intended to serve both local residents and visitors, ensuring the site is accessible and inclusive. 

"The on-site lake will be open to fishing use which provides a leisure-related water sport activity. 

"The proposed retail uses support the overall viability of the development, particularly in serving the needs of holiday lodge users, and are ancillary in nature to the more extensive leisure offering."

The original concept - as outlined by property developer Sze Ming Yeung - was for Pleasure Island to resemble Centre Parcs, with plenty of leisure attractions, but this dream has long faded, all the more so since he was declared bankrupt in September last year.

      Ski slope

Continues Mr Cox: "Although alternative concepts such as an indoor ski slope or ice rink have been suggested, the submitted commercial evidence confirms that there is no operator demand for such uses in Cleethorpes. 

"The proposed scheme delivers a diverse and realistic range of leisure opportunities which both meets market requirements and will be sustainable over the long term. 

"The lodges are intended to provide a mix of accommodation tenures and will be subject to seasonal occupancy - from March 15 to October 31 - preventing permanent year-round residential use. 

"In addition, no provision is proposed for camping or mobile homes. 

"These measures will help ensure that the development does not place undue pressure on local services or infrastructure." 

Lichfields say the scheme has "the potential to generate approximately 475 full-time equivalent jobs,  alongside additional opportunities linked to the holiday accommodation." 

"Public realm areas will also provide space for community events and initiatives, while the proposed food and drink hall will support start-up businesses through flexible, temporary kitchen spaces." 

                                                     Casino

The scheme also introduces a hotel offer distinct from existing provision, incorporating features such as a conference facility and casino, thereby broadening the type and range of accommodation currently available within the resort. 

"Importantly, the leisure and recreational facilities will be open to all, not solely lodge occupants, further enhancing community value. 

The scheme will be delivered on a phased basis, with Lidl acting as lead developer and providing enabling works to facilitate comprehensive redevelopment. 

"This co-ordinated approach avoids piecemeal delivery and ensures the site is brought forward in a cohesive and viable manner. " 

For obvious reasons, both Tesco and Aldi are opposed to Lidl establishing a major foothold store in Cleethorpes, but Lichfields claim  the proposed development "would not give rise to any significant adverse impact" on trading activity in the area.

What about pressure on highways and access, for instance along Meridian Way?

Lichfield says  these issues have ben satisfactorily addressed and that the proposed arrangements are "acceptable and would not result in any severe impacts on the local highway network". 

The agent notes that "compared with  the former theme park use, the proposed development is expected to generate lower visitor numbers overall, particularly as the holiday accommodation will operate on a seasonal basis". 

What about the loss of  hundreds of mature trees and shrubs which give the site its current parkland character?

Lichfields say: "New and existing tree and hedgerow planting along Kings Road will help soften the visual impact of the development and support ecological connectivity. 

"The proposed landscaping scheme will compensate for the loss of existing vegetation on site, whilst also providing new habitats for local wildlife."

 Lichfields acknowledges neighbours' concerns about the potential impact of the proposed development on their residential amenity, particularly in relation to noise and privacy. 

However, the firm says these concerns "should be considered in the context of the site’s former theme park use and designation within a resort area where uses - of the nature proposed - are actively encouraged".  

It says: "The proposed hotel and holiday lodges are set back approximately 100m from the nearest residential properties ensuring that an appropriate buffer is maintained and the amenity of nearby residents is respected. 

"The proposal is supported by a comprehensive lighting scheme designed to prevent unacceptable levels of light spill into neighbouring areas."

Mr Cox concludes: "Overall, the development would enhance the range of retail, leisure and hotel provision available to residents and visitors."

Charges may be introduced at leafy seafront car park long popular with residents and holidaymakers

                                                          

The current signage at the seaside car park

CHARGES could be introduced at a popular seafront car park.

It has emerged that holiday company Haven Leisure is intent on installing two pay machines, six bollards, a 2.1-metre height restriction barrier, a camera and associated signage at the site to the north of Anthony's Bank in Humberston.

The application has been submitted on behalf of Haven by Lichfields - the same agents that Lidl are using to progress their proposal to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park.

Says Naomi Parker of Lichfields: "The scheme has been proposed in response to ongoing issues associated with anti-social behaviour, unauthorised overnight parking, long term parking and the use of the area by camper vans for informal encampment."

The proposal will not go down well with residents and visitors who have long been used to parking free - up to 63 cars at a time - on the 0.68-hectare tree-bordered site.

However, before the project proceeds, both planning and advertisement display consent must be secured from North East Lincolnshire Council.

In her note to NELC planners, Ms Parker adds: "We ask that the proposal is positively determined."

Lichfields has paid the application fees to NELC - £309 for planning and £610 for advertisement consent. 

It has not yet been revealed what the scale of parking charges might be.

                                         

Entrance to the car park where charges are being sought