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

This pond on the golf course is expected to be filled in if the development proceeds

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 2km 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

                               

Did stranded Gannet mistake Cleethorpes Leisure Centre for white cliffs of Yorkshire Coast?

                                         

The Gannet was able to waddle from the saltmarsh to a footpath where it would have been  vulnerable to off-the-lead dogs had not Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue come to its aid

THERE are hopes of a full recovery for a Gannet that made a crash-landing near Cleethorpes Leisure Centre yesterday morning.

Gannets, which breed on cliffs in Yorkshire and elsewhere around the British coast, are marine birds which find lifting off from dry land a challenge.

One possibility is that it mistook the leisure centre for a cliff, then, confusing it for sea, landed on shallow saltmarsh water during high tide and became stranded when the water receded.

After its discovery, the team at the National Coastwatch Institution look-out cabin maintained a watching brief until Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue could come to the bird's aid.

CWR takes up the story thus: "Gannets are among the UK’s largest seabirds. 

"When they are  not plunge-diving into the sea at speeds of up to 60mph, they are usually found nesting and resting along steep cliff edges. 

"If they land on flat beaches like Cleethorpes - or are washed ashore after rough seas - they can struggle to become airborne again. 

"We suspect this bird was attempting to continue its journey north towards the cliffs further up the coast."

The statement continues: "Ads  a high-risk species on a high-risk coastline for avian influenza, this bird underwent three separate assessments before entering rescue: the first at the scene before collection, the second outside the rescue centre and the third within our isolation bay.

"We are pleased to report that, aside from a fairly typical ectoparasite burden and being slightly underweight, the bird is in good overall health.

"Our fantastic veterinary partners at Eastfields have since carried out a full health-check and given the all-clear for rehabilitation to continue.

"A huge thank you to local photographer Rob for providing clear images that allowed us to assess the bird safely from a distance, and to Cleethorpes Coastwatch for their monitoring and observations throughout."

                                       

Making progress - there are hopes that the bird will soon be fit enough for release (photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue)

Cliff-like? Cleethorpes Leisure Centre sits next to saltmarsh

MP blasts plan for housing estate on 'much-loved' nine-hole village golf course as 'unacceptable'

           

Uncertain future for  golf course in Humberston

MP Martin Vickers has added his voice to the growing opposition to a 234-house  estate being built  on the disused  nine-hole golf course behind Humberston Country Club.

Parliamentarians do not often comment on planning applications, but the representative for Brigg and Immingham has decided to make an exception in this case.

In a memo to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department, he writes: "Development of this site will be hugely detrimental to Humberston and the wider community.

"The loss of open space and a much-loved golf course is unacceptable, particularly at a time when there are multiple developments already approved and a number of others to be determined. 

"To grant this application may help meet Government housing targets but will:

* Be damaging to the environment

* Put greater strain on the highway network 

* Increase the pressure on public services

"The development, if it goes ahead, will increase the dangers to pupils attending Humberston Academy. 

"Traffic at school arrival/leaving times is already extremely heavy.

"Last year the council refused an application to further develop land off Maple Grove, New Waltham. 

"This was subsequently overturned by the Government-appointed inspector even though he acknowledged that, at certain times, Toll Bar roundabout operated in excess of capacity.

"Approval of this application will increase pressure on the road network in Humberston/New Waltham.

"The Government repeatedly refer to sustainable development. 

"I would suggest to the council that this proposal is not sustainable and I urge the council  to refuse it."

The proposal, submitted by Vistry Homes, is also being opposed by Humberston Village Council and by Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society, with the latter noting that it is against national planning policy to allow land traditionally used for sport to be developed for non-sporting purposes save in "exceptional circumstances".