Boost for Pleasure Island consortium as Natural England withdraws its objection to revamp

                                       

Pleasure Island - is a new chapter set to open for the former theme park?

COULD there be light at the end of a very long  tunnel for a consortium's oft-frustrated attempts to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes?

The last big hurdle  came in the form of Natural England which had long objected to the proposal for construction of a discount supermarket, two hotels, a garden centre, a coffee drive-thru andup to no fewer than 272 holiday lodges.

But NE has today told North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department that it has withdrawn its objection subject to appropriate mitigation to reduce disruption for birdlife - not the various songbirds on site but the scarce migratory shorebirds that spend autumn  and winter on the estuary.

The proposed mitigation includes the following:

• The closing of the site between  November 1 and  March 14 (exact dates dependant on school holidays)  

• The provision of improved links to the Cleethorpes Country Park (to reduce human footfall on the shoreline where wading birds such as Curlew and Knot feed) 

• Site design and structural planting to limit noise and light pollution  

• A no-dogs policy at both the holiday park and hotels to limit disturbance  

• Interpretation  signage to showcase the estuary's wildlife.

Natural England is also insisting on the appointment of an independent ranger to monitor the welfare of birdlife, to educate visitors and to ensure the mitigation conditions are met.

It wants the ranger to be employed by Humber Nature Partnership, with the consortium to contribute to her/his salary to the tune of £22,264 per annum (to be adjusted in line with inflation)

The Environment Agency withdrew its flooding objections last year, and it is not believed any other statutory consultee stands in the way of planning consent.

However, there are also many objections from nearby residents, and it is not clear if NELC's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, is content about the proposed landscaping plan once hundreds of trees and shrubs have been removed.

It seems likely now that the proposal - which dates as far back as 2020 - will be determined by a newly-elected (and inexperienced)  NELC planning committee later this year, possibly even in summer.

The project was originally the brainchild of Liverpool-based property developer Sze Ming Yeung but it is understood that supermarket chain Lidl is now the majority shareholder in the consortium behind the proposed revamp. 

Even if planning consent is granted, it may be many months before finance is in place, the site is cleared and redevelopment can start.

Most of the trees will have to be felled to make way for the redevelopment 

Arab investment giant's swoop for 50 per cent stake in windfarm that will be serviced out of Grimsby

The North Sea location of where Hornsea 3 is due to be constructed, with the underground cables being routed to come ashore in Norfolk

A MIDDLE Eastern investment company, Mubadala,  has made a surprise swoop for a 50 per cent stake in  Hornsea 3, which, once completed, will be the world’s single largest offshore wind farm with no fewer than 231 turbines.

The project is expected to create further employment at the operators, Ørsted, which will retain 50 per cent.

The Danish company already employs some 600 staff in and around Grimsby from where the sister Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 wind farm turbines are already maintained.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala is the sovereign wealth company of the United Arab Emirates. It has investments all over the world including the London-based bank, Revolut, which is currently being heavily promoted in an advertising campaign fronted by comedian Graham Norton.

Its investment in Hornsea 3 is put at $325-million - £240.8-million pounds.

Says Karim El Jazzar, Mubadala's head of infrastructure: "Hornsea 3 is a large-scale infrastructure asset supporting the expansion of renewable generation capacity in one of the world’s most established offshore wind markets.

"This investment reflects Mubadala’s approach of investing alongside experienced partners in high-quality infrastructure assets that support the energy transition while delivering long-term value.

"As electricity demand continues to grow, projects of this scale will play a critical role in expanding generation capacity and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy system."

                                           

Investment in the North Sea wind farm project is being backed by Mubadala's chief executive, His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak

Boost for housebuilding company as NELC says golf course project would NOT have 'significant' impact

One of two ponds on the golf course - the developers say the intention is for them both to be retained

THERE has been a boost for the Leeds-based company which wants to build 234 houses on the nine-hole golf course behind Humberston Country Club.

Vistry plc has today (Monday) been told  that there is no requirement to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment which would have proved both costly and time-consuming for the company.

The ruling will dismay residents and wildlife lovers who fear development would  be harmful to songbirds and other creatures that dwell on the site.

The NELC report says: "The location is not a sensitive area and is not within 2 km of a Site of of Special Scientific Interest.

"Any potential ecological issues are considered to be local to the site and immediate area. 

"Furthermore, the site is outside of Flood Zones 2 and 3.

"The proposal if approved would be of a relatively typical residential form and not have any significant effect on the wider Humberston environment."  

The report continues: "There would be  likely be some environmental impacts during the construction process in terms of traffic, noise, dust and general disturbance, but these would be localised to the area and would be addressed through the planning application.

"In relation to highways, any impact would not have a wider impact on the environment, though cumulative impacts and key local junctions will need to be considered. 

"This proposal  would not lead to a significant urbanisation of the area though careful consideration on the impact of the built form in this location will be a key consideration of the planning application given the context of the site, its quality and its former use."

The report concludes: "Having regard to the considerations noted, the recommendation is that the development does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment."

The  controversial proposal must still go through the formal planning procedures and is likely to be determined by members of NELC's planning committee with a decision not expected before summer this year.

A variety of well-established trees provide habitat  for wildlife of many species

Mallard are among the waterbirds that feed and breed on the site

A fine vista - but it could be transformed into bricks and mortar  if Leeds-based company secures consent to build 234 houses

                                                          

                                                                         

            

    

Name: Martin Dixon

Council unveils new images of Cleethorpes Market Place scheme ahead of works starting next week

                                 

New artists' impressions of how Cleethorpes Market Place might soon look have been unveiled by North East Lincolnshire Council on behalf of landscape architects Gillespies. The pedestrianisation proposal has been hotly opposed by some traders because it will restrict access and parking for cars, but work is set to start next Monday. The contractors have been named as CR Reynolds - the firm which carried out the paving revamp outside Freshney Place shopping centre in Grimsby's Top Town.

MP Melanie Onn warns on 'long way to go' before normal services resumes on mail delivery to homes

                                                                

MP Melanie Onn hears about the pressures during her visit to the sorting office in Grimsby (photo: Melanie Onn/ Facebook)

GRIMSBY and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn says "solid work" is being done to normalise  mail deliveries to homes in her constituency but cautions that "there is still a long way to go".

The MP was speaking in the wake of numerous concerns expressed by both residents and posties about issues ranging from delays to pressure on staff.

Earlier this year, it prompted her to pay a fact-finding visit to the sorting office in Fotherby Street, Grimsby, to learn about the pinch points from members of staff.

 Ms Onn has also raised her concerns in the Commons where she said: "My understanding is that letters must not be treated less favourably than parcels, but that is happening at the moment through internal Royal Mail targets. 

"That is the case at the sorting office in Grimsby, where a tracked-first policy is in place, meaning that parcels take priority, while letters and non-tracked mail are not prioritised. 

"First and second-class cards and letters are left sitting in frames for days and weeks."

She continued: "Route revisions are also an issue for posties, some of whom regularly walk 30,000 to 40,000 steps a day. 

"That is causing exhaustion, injury and illness. 

" What will the Government do to force Ofcom to take action that will get things moving and change a policy that leaves people’s letters sat in their frames for days?"

The discussion also saw a contribution from Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers who said:"Constituents who have lodged complaints  are receiving messages that say that deliveries in parts of the DN31-DN37 postcodes are being disrupted due to resourcing issues."

He added: "Pressure on staffing resources  is an acceptable reason in the short term, but not in the long term."

 

Reform UK may be largest party on council - but will its councillors be allowed to lead it?

                                         

Currently NELC leader, but not necessarily for much longer - Cllr Philip Jackson

A FIERCE power struggle is looming for control of North East Lincolnshire Council in the wake of last night's local election results.

With 14 of the authority's 42 seats, Reform UK is now the largest party.

But its tally falls well short of bringing it overall control.

At NELC's annual meeting later this month, the four other political groups - Conservative (10), Independent (4), Labour (11) and Liberal-Democrat (3) - will all have a say in who will assume the leadership along with the positions in cabinet.

The current leader, Cllr Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham), could seek to strike a deal with Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), who is likely to be elected leader of  his own party.

But would the former be willing to serve in the same cabinet, especially in a junior role, as a man who defected from the Conservatives?

It seems more likely Cllr Jackson will seek to woo the Liberal-Democrats and Independents by offering them places  in the cabinet, with him remaining at the helm.

It is understood that  constitution of the Labour Party would prevent any formal pact between its councillors and their Conservative counterparts, but they may be offered sweeteners in the form of chairing roles on the committees and scrutiny panels if this guarantees exclusion of Reform UK for which Labour has nothing but contempt.

But, as the second largest group, could Labour, itself, make an audacious play for the spoils?

If no deals can be done, a stalemate would ensue.

And what would that mean for the stability of NELC? 

Who will lead North East Lincolnshire Council following night of triumph for Reform UK?

                                       

Oliver Freeston savours his success in the Croft Baker ward - from being the only Reform UK councillor, he is now one of 14 and may become the next leader of  North East Lincolnshire Council (photo: NELC). 

FOUR high-profile Conservatives lost their places on North East Lincolnshire Council - and in the cabinet - in a night of election triumph for Reform UK.

Licking their wounds this morning are: Margaret Cracknell, Stephen Harness, Ron Shepherd and Stewart Swinburn.

As a result of yesterday's poll, Reform UK is now the largest party with 14 seats.

But there is no overall control, and there are certain to be days of  political manoeuvring to see which group will lead the authority - or whether leadership will be shared. 

The composition is now:

Conservative – 10

Labour – 11

Liberal Democrat – 3

Independents – 4

Reform UK – 14

                                          RESULTS          

     

             CROFT BAKER                                

                   EAST MARSH

  

            FRESHNEY

               HAVERSTOE

                  

                   HENEAGE                                

                       HUMBERSTON & NEW WALTHAM

  

               IMMINGHAM                               

                                                        

            PARK    

        

             

      SCARTHO

                       

        SIDNEY SUSSEX 

      SOUTH       

                

        

                                         

       WALTHAM

 

           WEST MARSH

     

          WOLDS

         

         YARBOROUGH