New flurry of councillor squabbling over contentious Cleethorpes Market Place revamp project

 

While councillors wrangle, the work goes on

ANGER has again bubbled up over the controversial revamp of Cleethorpes Market Place.

Works are proceeding this summer even before the final lay-out has been determined.

Since taking control of North East Lincolnshire Council, Reform UK has modified the previous Conservative administration's original pedestrianisation proposal in such a way as to allow some seasonal parking (12 spaces) on site and to provide free one-hour parking on the St Peter's Avenue car park for a two-year trial period.

But now Labour Group leader Emma Clough and Immingham Conservative Trevor Crofts have successfully called for a special meeting in order to challenge the Reform UK decision.

The duo say it was made with insufficient evidence and scrutiny with "no explanation given as to how conflicting views were considered".

They also express concern  that the revised arrangements will reduce parking income by £145,000 over two years at a time when the council's reserves are already at an all-time low.

Say Cllr Clough and Cllr Crofts: "This is a material financial consequence that has not been fully explained or supported by a clear and sustainable funding plan."       

The meeting is due to be held in Grimsby Town Hall on Monday afternoon (August 10)                                                           

Headache for the public and businesses - and also for councillors

What will happen to the Skylarks? Plan unveiled for big new housing development on Waltham farmland

The proposed development would be accessed via Coral Drive

                                

A BIG new housing development could be on the cards for the outskirts of Waltham.

A plan has been unveiled  for as many as 150 new homes on agricultural land off  Coral Drive east of Bradley Road.

The proposal has been submitted by the Dieter Nelson planning consultancy on behalf of Mr R. Douglas.

Because it is an outline application, there are no details yet about the kind of dwellings that might be built but it is understood it would be a mixed development.

When an ecological survey was carried out in February this year, the bird species identified included Long-tailed Tit, Redwing, Starling,  House Sparrow,  Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blackbird,  Dunnock,  Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Robin and Skylark.

This variety would be greatly extended if a survey were to be carried out between May and July when there would be summer migrants such as Swallows, plus Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other warbler species.

                                          

Skylark - bird that favours farmland

According to the surveyor, "the arable, woodland, hedgerow and ditch habitats provide opportunities for foraging, cover and nesting".

If the bid is to be approved, she has suggested a condition that Swiftbricks and nestboxes should be installed on some of the properties.

Treat for young Mariners fans as Grimsby Town players hold open training session at Blundell Park

Plenty of holidaying schoolchildren headed for Blundell Park yesterday morning when their Grimsby Town heroes held an open-to-the-public training session followed by photo opportunities. Manager Dave Artell presided. The Mariners kick off their 2026-27 campaign on Saturday with a home fixture against Blackpool in the EFL Cup (kick-off: 3pm)

                                                                                   

That's the way to do it - gaffer Dave Artell shows the way

                              

How to unlock the opposition defence - players try out an attacking drill

A well-earned breather on a very hot morning 

                                                          

Time to get started again . . 

Bob rubbed shoulders with showbiz celebrities but himself always remained modest and unassuming

                                           

Bob Suich pictured with Australian songbird Dannii Minogue at the Embassy Theatre in Skegness in October 1998

        

THERE will be widespread sadness at news of the death, aged 74, of Bob Suich - inspiration for Bob's Brainwaves which is one of the chosen charities of  the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Marian Boyd.

Kent-born Bob was a former manager (1977-83) of Cleethorpes Pier who had earlier worked for Chrysalis Records and later as foreshore manager in Mablethorpe and head of tourism for East Lindsey District Council.

As a student at Sheffield University, he also found time to be entertainments manager and booked many frontline acts of the 1970s - among them Roxy Music, Suzi Quatro and Paul McCartney's Wings.

For a long time, he also booked topline acts for the Embassy Theatre in Skegness and for the illuminations switch-ons in the same town, one of them being his favourite showbiz personality, Norman Wisdom.

His favourite TV comedy was Fawlty Towers, while the films he most enjoyed were Hollywood movies, especially those starring Fred Astaire.

Once asked what his ideal job would be, he replied: "Hosting ITV's holiday show, Wish You Were Here." 

Although he spent much in the company of celebrities from the world of  entertainment, he was himself very modest and unassuming. He was quite proud of having started his working life as a milkman in North London.

Bob was a lifelong supporter of Arsenal FC.

In retirement, he succumbed to  dementia which prompted wife Chris to set up Bob's Brainwaves to help those whose lives have been affected by the disease .

In a tribute, Chris said:  "My lovely Bob passed away on 18th July with me at his side. 

"Myself and our sons, Joseph and Edward  would  just like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all your cards, messages of support and taking the time to share lovely memories of Bob before this disease hit. 

"He was truly a one-off and for our time together I am eternally grateful."  

A celebration of Bob's life will take place at 3pm on August 19 at St James' Church in Louth.

                                  

Bob Suich - inspiration for much-valued charity  

Local housebuilder hopes it will be third time lucky with development project near Toll Bar academy

                                                                   

The entrance to Grove Farm off Station Road

LOCAL housebuilding company  Snape Properties hopes it will be third time lucky with its aim to redevelop land between New Waltham and Waltham.

In November last year, its proposal to build up to 120 homes at Grove Farm on Station  Road  was refused by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

Snape submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, but was unsuccessful again -  the case inspector dismissed the appeal.

Now the company has submitted a new application, but this time for a development of smaller scale  - no more than 40 homes.

The 3.76-hectare site is between Newgrove Care Home and Toll Bar Academy on the other side of the road from Robinson's farm shop.

If approved, the project would involve the demolition of barns and stables - prime nesting and roosting habitats for Swallows and Barn Owls as well as Bats.

An ecological survey, commissioned by the developers, surprisingly found no evidence of occupation by either of the above two bird species.

However, the consultants have come up with a modest scheme of mitigation including the installation of two Swift nestbricks on one of the proposed cottages. 

The application is likely to be determined by planners later this year.

Cottage-style- the designs being considered for the proposed development  

At current slick rate of progress, new Cleethorpes padel courts could open sooner rather than later

 

Works are proceeding at a cracking pace on installation  of new padel courts on the site of the former Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes. No official word yet on the proposed opening date but it seems likely that it will be sooner rather than later. On the downside, the development has resulted in the loss of hedgerow nesting habitat for some songbirds, but it is understood the developers have purchased biodiversity credits to provide wildlife habitat elsewhere though this might not be  in North East Lincolnshire.

Councillors go walkabout at Pleasure Island - and, happily, none was eaten by a dog

He's probably very friendly (to his owners) - a guard dog patrols the grounds 

ANY free-roaming guard dogs at Pleasure Island were kept under restraint to safeguard members of North East Lincolnshire during a site visit to the former theme park.

This was to ensure that none of the part should feel nervous about being attacked and savaged.

The visit, which was held on July 7, provided a rare opportunity for councillors and officers to marvel at the many songbirds and butterflies that have made Pleasure Island their home since it closed as a commercial attraction more than 10 years.

According to a bird survey conducted in summer four years ago, the trees and shrubs are home to more than 50 bird species.

No survey has been undertaken of the butterflies, but it is thought there could be at least 20 varieties - maybe more.

The site is effectively a small unofficial nature reserve, with an incredible range of wildlife including several bat species and various types of dragonflies and damselflies which, at this time of year, dart about over the waters of the two lakes.

Some would like to see this extraordinary habitat maintained and enhanced, but supermarket chain Lidl wants to clear the land of almost all the trees and shrubs to make way for one of its stores, plus a coffee shop, two hotels 272 holiday cabins and other amenities.

The NELC delegation's visit was hosted by Lidl's property acquisition chief, Gary Rafferty, who is unlikely to have extolled the delights of the wildlife, probably preferring to highlight the commercial advantages from his company's proposals for land clearance and redevelopment.

Those who also took part in the 75-minute visit on July 7 were:

* Cheryl Jarvis - NELC Planning Manager (case officer)         

* Richard Limmer - NELC Principal Planner

* Gary Raferty - Lidl (applicant and site owner)

* Cllr Matthew Patrick - (Lab, Heneage) NELC planning committee chairman

* Cllr Goodwin - NELC planning committee vice-chairman

* Cllr Bob Callison - (Reform, Sidney Sussex)

* Cllr Paul Batson - (Reform, South)

* Cllr Haydn Dawkins - (Con, Humberston & New Waltham)

* Cllr Paul Bright - (Ind, Freshney)

* Cllr Henry Hudson - (Con, Wolds) 

* Cllr Loyd Emmerson - (Lib-Dem, East Marsh)

* Cllr Ian Lindley - (Con, Scartho)

*Cllr Edward Kaczmarek - (Lab, Sidney Sussex)

It had been intended for Lidl's application to be determined at the following morning's planning meeting in Grimsby Town Hall.

However, debate and a decision were deferred after it emerged that there had been legal objections.

Unable to be present either for the site visit or the planning meeting, for reasons unknown, was planning committee member Cllr Bill Parkinson whose Haverstoe ward accommodates Pleasure Island.

As with other consultees, representatives of the RSPB and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, both of which oppose the application, were not invited to attend - a shame because they would have been able to identify the wildlife for the benefit of those attending.   

When will the application be determined? 

Councillors expressed a wish that, having been deferred, the Lidl proposal might be considered at their next planning meeting.

But their wish will not be granted. Because of the complexity of the legalities, the application is not included on the agenda for the August meeting.