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.

                                        

                                               

Council pledges to work with property's owners to secure 'bright future' for 4.4-acre site of former YMCA

                                                                                            

Likely to be demolished - the former YMCA building off Peaks Lane

DEMOLITION is on the cards for the long-empty  former YMCA building off Peaks Lane in Grimsby.

The building has been empty since the YMCAs moved to Freeman Street in 202.

The 4.4-acre site was subsequently bought but an  unidentified  property developer - thought to be Durham-based - for an undisclosed sum.

The Home Office is thought to have considered acquiring the site as accommodation for asylum-seekers, but it did not pursue its interest. 

There was also a proposal for its conversion to an 80-bedroom care home. 

In recent times, there has been increasing vandalism and arson attacks to the main concrete-constructed block, the  sports hall and a WC block.

In the wake of safety concerns, North East Lincolnshire Council has become involved, resulting in 24-hour security and new fencing.

Meanwhile,  a structural engineer’s report states: "In the professional opinion of the engineer, the safest and most appropriate course is controlled demolition of the entire building complex."

In an update today, the council says: "We have followed the legal process as quickly as possible, with the owner taking responsibility – organising for increased security as they take the necessary action and surveys to ensure safe demolition.

"This includes round-the-clock manned security and the new fencing. 

"Humberside police has also been informed, and trespassers are being warned of action if they seek to enter the buildings.

"Once demolition and clearance are complete, it is hoped a bright new future can be found for the site and again the council will support the owner  to progress suitable options.

NELC's portfolio for safer and stronger communities, Cllr James Sawkins, comments: "It is clear this building has been a target for all kinds of anti-social behaviour, and this has been a real concern for people and organisations nearby, for the emergency services and for the council. 

"I am pleased to say the owner is fully on board with what needs to be done to prevent the risk of a really serious incident here.

"We can now move forward and, of course, will support the owner in any way we are able to look for a bright future for this site."

What future the many  other derelict buildings in and around Grimsby?

Council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston, responds: "This is just one of many buildings we are looking into.

"We want owners to be held responsible for their upkeep, but w will also seek to work with them to identify issues and explore solutions."

Nature, including several butterflies species, has found a home in the overgrown grounds

Spruce-up of formerly neglected parcel of land in Grimsby to be celebrated with 'a bit of a do'

     

Work has now been completed on improving this  triangular patch of ground between New Cartergate and Frederick Ward Way in Grimsby. The works have included the installation of ground-level maze, new seating, improved lighting, CCTV, plus upgraded footpaths and low-level planting of a sort North East Lincolnshire Council says will be easy for it to maintain. An event to mark the completion is due to be  be held between 2pm and 4pm tomorrow June 26.