Planning inspector overturns council decision and gives go-ahead for Grimsby houses development

                                                         

The site, not far from John Whitgift Academy, which has been earmarked for the development

AN independent planning inspector has overturned a North East Lincolnshire Council planning decision and given the green light for two pairs of semi-detached houses to be built on land off 9 Ashby Road in Grimsby.

Following objections to the project from nearby residents, planners ruled that development would "result in the loss of an area of land used as public open space by the local community". 

But the inspector was unimpressed by this argument, noting that there are plenty of other open spaces in the vicinity.

The successful appellant is Grimsby-based Ramella Rameco Ltd.

                                         

Artist's impression of the proposed design of the new houses 

Council snub for petition that seeks halt to contentious Pier Gardens transformation scheme

                                                          

Controversy continues to simmer over the Pier Gardens revamp project 

THERE was short shrift for a petition calling for a halt to the controversial revamp of Pier Gardens during last night's meeting of the full North East Lincolnshire Council.

Most of the trees, shrubs and lawns have already been felled, and the robins and blackbirds have long flown.

So where would be the merit in halting the project, paying off contractors Maylim and effectively leaving a building site?

There was no debate on the petition  after a brief statement from council leader Oliver Freeston (Reform UK) whose Croft Baker ward accommodates the gardens.

He acknowledged the dismay of many at the loss of green space but ruled out a pause at this stage of the project.

"It's too late in the day,"he declared.

Despite the disappointment of many residents and visitors at the destruction of the garden in their present form, there are probably just as many - if not more - who look forward to the transformation into what effectively will be a plaza with recreation facilities and  an adjacent skatepark.

The petitioner was not present at the meeting, held in Grimsby Town Hall, so her document was read by the mayor, Cllr Marian Boyd (Con, Park), below.                                          

Only time will tell whether the scheme, which is funded by Levelling-up monies from Whitehall, enhances the resort or diminishes it.                                                 

More like a concourse than a garden? The consultant's vision for Pier Gardens

What are they doing to Cleethorpes Country Park? Fears for wildlife as reedbeds are decimated

Where have all the reeds gone? Clearance underway this week

 

THERE is disquiet this week  over clearance of extensive areas of reedbed, willow trees and scrub in  Cleethorpes Country Park.

North East Lincolnshire Council has been opening up and deepening the channels as apparent scenic and other 'enhancement' of the site.

But in doing so, it has eradicated precious nesting and over-wintering habitat for Water Rails, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge Warblers Great Crested Grebes, Mute Swans  and other birds.

The reedbeds occasionally attracted brief visits from Bearded Reedlings, Bitterns, Snipe and, this summer, a rare Purple Heron, and these are now likely to become more seldom.

There will also have been an adverse impact on the  pupae of certain butterfly, dragonfly and other species for which reeds provide a food plant.

The works have  prompted dismay among some regular park-users with one taking to social media to claim he had been brought "almost to  tears" at his outrage at what has been happening.  

On the plus side, clearance of the water-growing vegetation may have made the lakeside more amenable to fish and  to some birds  such as Kingfishers and possibly certain scarce small wading birds.

Oh dear, not a bird in sight

                                                   

Where once were shrubs and reeds, there is now a muddy morass

The Grimsby News says: The extent of works is disquieting, and there is no doubt that, at least in the short term, some wildlife will have been lost. But reedbeds quickly re-establish themselves, and maybe some of the departees will see fit to return in time for next spring's breeding season. In the meantime, NELC should waste no time in issuing a statement explaining why the works are being carried out and for what purpose. It would also be interesting to know the cost of the project.  

Emergency lifesaving equipment to be installed on external wall of building society's Grimsby branch

                                           

                                               

THE Nationwide Building Society's Grimsby branch is to have emergency lifesaving equipment installed at its branch in  Grimsby.

It states: "We are committed to supporting the communities we serve.

" As part of this commitment, we plan to install an external defibrillator and bleed control kit at our branch in Victoria Street.

"Each piece of equipment will be housed in its own dedicated, secure external cabinet and will be installed on an external wall."

It continues: "The cabinets need to be in a prominent location where they can easily be seen and, at a height where they can be reached in case they are needed in an emergency.  

"We have proposed that the cabinets are fixed in locations that, while prominent, have limited impact on the appearance of the conservation area." 

It is understood the building society has taken advice from St John Ambulance.

Don't dilly-dally on the way! NELC leader urges greater project urgency from utility companies

 

It angers residents and road users when closures are enforced for unnecessarily long periods

THE Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Oliver Freeston, has this week written to major utility companies calling for greater care and consideration over roadworks and traffic management arrangements.

Letters have been sent to the following:

* Anglian Water

* Northern Powergrid

* Cadent

* Openreach 

* Virgin Media 

His missive comes in the wake of ongoing concerns about temporary traffic lights remaining in place while little or no work appears to be taking place, as well as, in some cases,  breaches of permit conditions.

Utility companies are responsible for their own traffic management arrangements, and NELC has limited enforcement powers. 

In certain circumstances, a fixed penalty notice of £240 can be issued.

Says Cllr Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker): "Residents are fed up with unnecessary disruption on our roads. 

"We all understand that essential utility works have to take place, but traffic management should be properly managed and removed as soon as it is no longer needed.

"At present, the penalties available to councils are simply not a sufficient deterrent for large utility companies.

"I have written directly to the major firms involved, asking them to show greater care and consideration."

The council leader says he will also be making representations to local MPs, Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers  for tougher penalties, giving councils the powers they need properlyto  enforce permits and minimise disruption.

He continues: "Our roads are already under significant pressure. Where disruption can be avoided or reduced, it should be.”

                                                                     

Many tributes to "kindness and laughter" of soft-spoken and caring Cleethorpes funeral home owner

                                                  

Joyce Schofield - a delightful lady who will be greatly missed

THERE have been many tributes to Cleethorpes funeral home director Joyce Schofield whose death was announced earlier this week.

Joyce was owner and partner at Mashfords Funeral Home located near the seafront.

She died unexpectedly, at her home in Laceby, on September 13, aged 74.

In her professional capacity, she was known to many hundreds of Mashfords customers for her soft voice and warm, kindly and comforting  attitude to those recently bereaved.

As the death notice in the Grimsby Telegraph rightly says: "The love, kindness and laughter Joyce brought to so many lives will never be forgotten, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her."  

She leaves husband Phill, daughters Claire and Rachel, sons-in-law Kieran and Craig,  grandsons Sam and James, sister Carole and cousin and friend to many.

A celebration of Joyce's life will take place at Grimsby Crematorium on Thursday  October 1 at 12 noon.

There is a request for family flowers only, and donations, in Joyce's memory, if desired, may be made to the British Heart Foundation. A collection box will be available at the service.

At the request of Joyce's family, mourning dress is optional.

Revealed: NELC is proceeding with contentious Pier Gardens revamp without benefit of planning consent

                                                   

Pier Gardens as it looked in late summer a couple of years ago

                                                                                

WITH the project already so far advanced, it is unlikely that North East Lincolnshire councillors will support a 1,041-signature petition calling for a pause on reconfiguration of Pier Gardens on Cleethorpes seafront.

But the petition - to be debated at Thursday's full council meeting -  will provide an opportunity for councillors to debate the wisdom of the scheme which has dismayed many residents.

Apart from the installation of play structures, it is understood there is no planning permission for any aspect of the controversial scheme.

The administration, then led by the Conservatives, decided to skip this process, thereby denying the public - and its own officers plus statutory organisations - the opportunity to lodge formal comments which would have been open for public scrutiny.

Again, disregarding its moral, if not legal, obligations,  it went ahead with the felling of hundreds of healthy trees which were protected by virtue of growing in the coastal conservation area.

If any householder in a conservation area did likewise - even by felling  a single tree - he or she would face the prospect of prosecution. 

Thursday's meeting starts at 7pm, and members of the public will be able to attend at Grimsby Town Hall or watch proceedings online.

The dedicated wildlife area at the north end of Pier Gardens has now been destroyed