Sun likely to shine favourably on plan to build solar farm following firm's assurance on fate of Skylarks

                                             

The Skylark - a declining farmland bird that has inspired many poet with its long liquid song usually uttered high above ground  

ALTHOUGH it says it still has "significant concerns" about a proposed solar farm being built on a field outside a Grimsby-area village, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has withdrawn its initial objection.

The  trust's  change of tack follows an assurance by the developer that an adjacent 16.5-hectare field will be managed for the benefit of farmland birds such as Skylarks that will be displaced from the application site - a medium-grade  arable crops field off Riby Road in Stallingborough.

When a bird survey was carried out of the field two summers ago, it revealed the presence of 58 species, including up to 20 Skylark territories.

Also recorded were other increasingly scarce farmland species such as: 

* Grey Partridge

* Cuckoo

* Lesser Whitethroat

* Yellow Wagtail

* Yellowhammer

* Stonechat  

* Quail 

* Grasshopper Warbler.

No Barn Owls were sighted during the survey, but there are two owl nest boxes within the site, and fresh owl-regurgitated pellets were found during an internal inspection of a small barn.

The applicants for the Stallingborough Energy Project are London-based Island Green Power which is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the multinational Macquarie Asset Management company,

Island Green Power says it will mitigate for the loss of the Skylark field both by creating new habitat for this species on the  neighbouring  field and by installing  60-plus nestboxes, including four for Barn Owls.

At a planning meeting in Grimsby Town Hall next Wednesday April 22, North East Lincolnshire Council case officer Richard Limmer will recommend members to approve the application.

The Stallingborough field that has been earmarked for a solar farm

                            

Crunch planning decision expected next week on proposal for up to 300 homes on greenfield site between Waltham and New Waltham

                                                                  

The site off Louth Road which has been earmarked for the controversial development

There could be a setback for local property developer Cyden Homes' proposal to build up to 300 houses on agricultural land to the west of  Louth Road on the boundary of Waltham and  New Waltham.

At a meeting next Wednesday April 22, North East Lincolnshire Council's planning case officer, Bethany Loring,  will  recommend that councillors should refuse the application.

In her  report to the committee, she states: "The proposal would extend into the rural landscape between Grimsby, Waltham and New Waltham, resulting in a visual intrusion which would be detrimental to the character and value of this countryside location. 

"Due to this extension into the rural landscape, the housing and its extent would be more prominent and dominant when compared to the existing. 

"It is recognised that the indicative details include a landscaping buffer to the sites southern edge, but the loss of the field and its replacement with a housing estate would fail to have regard to the intrinsic character of this countryside location." 

The report continues: "It is a pleasant landscape with rural qualities and  a sensitivity to change. "

More than 60 nearby residents have lodged objections to the project as have both Waltham and New Waltham Parish Councils.

Meanwhile, another objector, Cllr Ron Shepherd (Con, Scartho), is expected to speak against the application at Wednesday's meeting.

On an ornithological note, winter bird surveys were conducted twice monthly from November 2025 to February 2026 - a total of eight visits. 

In total,  49 bird species - including Barn Owl, Green Sandpiper and Great Spotted Woodpecker - were recorded foraging for food or flying over the site. 

Even if the committee refuses the plan, it might not be the end of the story.

Cyden Homes could submit an appeal with the independent Planning Inspectorate, though this might not be heard until next year.                                            

Barn Owl and Great Spotted Woodpecker are among the bird species seen on periphery of  the field

Property in Grimsby's Lord Street could be converted to House in Multiple Occupation if planners approve

This property in Lord Street, Grimsby, could be converted into a 12-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation if North East Lincolnshire Council planners give the go-ahead at their meeting next Wednesday, April 22. Formerly used as religious meeting rooms, the building  was due to have been sold at auction with a guide price of £36,000 in January, but it was snapped up in advance of the sale by a London-based property development company. There have been several objections from neighbours, but the NELC case officer is recommending approval.

Developer unveils plans to build 234 homes on wildlife-rich site of redundant golf course

                                    

This could be the last Spring for many of the trees on the golf course

HOUSEBUILDER Vistry Homes Ltd has unveiled its plans to develop the recently-closed golf course behind Humberston Country  Club.

The Leeds-based company has earmarked the redundant course for no fewer than 234 two-storey homes.

If the venture goes ahead, these will consist of:

* 92 three-bedroom homes

* 77 four-bedroom homes

* 65 two-bedroom homes

What will happen to the 300-plus trees and 23 hedgerows that give the course its scenic park-like character?

The company says none of them are "ancient, veteran or notable".

Inevitably, many will need to be felled, but Vistry pledges: "Where removal is required to facilitate development, this will be mitigated through appropriate replacement planting to ensure no overall loss of arboricultural or visual amenity."

The trees provide habitat for songbirds, and the course is regularly foraged by buzzards and sparrowhawks, while the two ponds are home to breeding Moorhens, Canada Geese and possibly Mallard.

Of the risk of some of these species being lost, the company's ecologist says:  "Using professional judgement, it is considered likely the site would only support an assemblage of common species, typical of urban edge habitats and of less than local importance."

Vistry Homes concludes: "The proposed scale, layout and appearance of development have been designed to reflect the character of the surrounding area, using appropriate building types, massing and materials to create a cohesive and attractive place with a strong sense of identity. 

"Separation distances and dwelling orientation have been carefully considered to ensure high levels of residential amenity for future occupants."

The project is subject to planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council which will consider representations from neighbours and others before making a decision. 

                                           

None  of the trees is 'notable', says the prospective  developer 

                    

Home to aquatic life - one of the ponds on the golf course

                                      

The proposed layout of the 234-house scheme

Some of the types of house that the developers have in mind

Full list of candidates - 87 in total - battling to be elected to serve on North East Lincolnshire Council

                                       

Where the big political decisions are made - Grimsby Town Hall

 

A TOTAL of 87 have thrown their hats into the ring for next month's local elections in North East Lincolnshire.

Among them are David De Freitas - son of former NELC leader the late Andrew De Freitas - who is one of six candidates in Grimsby's Park ward.

Also in the field - this time in the Humberston & New Waltham ward - is former councillor Steve Hocknell who is evident keen to make a return to frontline local politics.

The borough wide-up also includes three serving members of  NELC's cabinet - Stewart Swinburn, Ron Shepherd and Stephen Harness.

Given that the last two cut their political teeth as members of Ukip, there was speculation that they might switch their allegiances to Reform UK but they have decided to remain as Conservatives.

Polling is on May7.

The full line-up is below:

  

CROFT BAKER

EAST MARSH

FRESHNEY

HAVERSTOE

                                                

HENEAGE

HUMBERSTON & NEW WALTHAM

IMMINGHAM

PARK

SCARTHO

                                          

SIDNEY SUSSEX

SOUTH 

                  

WALTHAM

WEST MARSH

WOLDS

YARBOROUGH

                            

                                                 

A new chapter could soon open in the history of historic Grimsby building

                                                             

Read all about it - books galore?

THERE could soon be an independent bookshop in Grimsby.

An application has been submitted for change of use of premises at 17-19 Bethlehem Street which, in recent years, have served as an art gallery and studio.

The proposal has been submitted by gallery owners Our Big Picture Ltd on behalf of a prospective tenant.

It is not entirely clear from the plans whether any part of the Grade II Listed building will be retained for art displays and activities.

A decision is expected later this spring from North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

Application submitted for small-scale Travellers' site on outskirts of Immingham

                                           

The site earmarked for the caravans 

 A PLAN has been unveiled for a 0.85-hectare plot of grassland on Stallingborough Road in Immingham to be use as a residential Gypsy/Traveller site.

It is proposed for  each of two pitches to include one static caravan and two  touring caravans. 

There would also be two storage containers, parking and amenity areas plus a barn, stable and paddock for  horses.

An  existing hedgerow would be retained.

The proposal, which is currently being considered by North East Lincolnshire Council planners, has been submitted on behalf of clients by Vardo/ Mark Simmonds Planning Services Ltd.

                                              

Attractive - one of the photographs submitted to support the proposal