Wednesday 30 October 2019

SOLAR PANEL PROPOSALS FOR LEISURE SITES IN GRIMSBY AND IMMINGHAM

FURTHER enviro-friendly initiatives have been unveiled by North East Lincolnshire Council.

To reduce its carbon footprint, it proposes to install solar panels on two of its most fuel-hungry buildings - Grimsby Leisure Centre and Immingham Swimming Pool.

At the former, 659 are proposed, while 137 are in prospect at the Immingham site.

Before any works can proceed, planning permission will be required.


Earlier in autumn, a solar panel proposal was revealed for the roof of the civic offices in Cleethorpes.

Tuesday 29 October 2019

REVEALED: £500 FOR IMMINGHAM TOWN FC AND £250 FOR CLEETHORPES CRICKET CLUB - WHO GOT WHAT FROM NELC GRANTS SCHEME

BELOW is a list of the community and voluntary organisations to which grants were awarded by North East Lincolnshire Council during the financial year 2018-19. Organisations in Immingham fared particularly well with the town's football club receiving £500.

Cleethorpes Community and Sports Association: £2,000.00
St Francis Church (for community kitchen and fridge): £2,000.00
Dial-a-ride Grimsby and Cleethorpes: £1,000.00
Citizens Advice North East Lincolnshire: £5,000.00
Community involvement in alleyway clearance: £864.00
A Walk in The Park: £864.00
Woodpark Community Group (for park bench and litter-picking equipment): £641.95
Willows Community Centre: £250.00
Friends of the Freshney: £200.00
Great Coates Village Nursery: £350.00
Delta Academies Trust (Whitgift): £300.00
Delta Academies Trust (Wybers Wood): £300.00
Chatteris House Social Group: £300.00
Great Coates Village Hall Committee: £300.00
Great Coates Primary School: £520.00
Freshney Forward Community Fun Day: £500.00
Great Coates in Bloom: £500.00
YMCA: £500.00
Delta Academies Trust (Willows): £338.05
Haverstoe Forum: £800.00
Dial-a-Ride: £500.00
Giving Young People Opportunities: £200.00
St Peter's Church (for improvements to public areas): £500.00
Cleethorpes Cricket Club: £250.00
Friends of Haverstoe Park: £750.00
Belvoir Park Residents Association: £2,000.00
Giving Young People Opportunities: £100.00
Friends of Haverstoe Park: £1,000.00
Friends of Cleethorpes Country Park: £528.00
Annie Chapple Centre: £100.00
Friends Around Weelsby Annual Charity Fate: £500.00
Welholme Community Learning and Training: £1,500.00
Dial-a-ride Grimsby and Cleethorpes: £2,000.00
Humberston Allotments Alleviation Fund: £1,135.00
County Hotel (for public access defibrillator): £500.00
Mayflower Quilters: £500.00
Hope Community, Immingham: £500.00
Immingham Air Cadets: £250.00
Immingham Community Project: £250.00
Immingham Town FC: £500.00
Creative Futures Art Therapy: £500.00
The Arch Group: £500.00
Immingham Community Cinema: £250.00
Immingham Wasps Junior Rugby Club: £500.00
Immingham Culture Club: £250.00
Immingham Museum: £500.00
Pilgrim Angling Club: £864.00
Bert Boyden Centre (for boiler replacement): £864.00
Park Bowls Club: £1,728.00
Scartho in Bloom: £1,500.00
Scartho Community Tree: £2,500.00
Springfield Allotments (for access improvements to road: £1,000.00
Scartho in Bloom: £1,728.00
College Street Neighbourhood Watch Group: £300.00
Sussex Pavilion Group: £200.00
Taylor Street Neighbourhood Watch Group: £300.00
Beacon Luncheon Club: £500.00
Ebb & Flo Community Clean-up: £1,000.00
Dial-a-ride Grimsby and Cleethorpes: £1,000.00
Daubney Street Neighbourhood Watch Group: £500.00
Phelps Street Neighbourhood Watch Group: £300.00
Shalom Youth Club: £300.00
Sidney Park JFC: £300.00
Sussex Bowling Club: £300.00
Sussex Pavillion Toilet Refurbishment: £864.00
Sussex Bowling Club: £864.00
Dial-a-ride: £1,000.00
Oasis Community Hub Wintringham (Dolly Parton Imagination Library Scheme: £1,000.00
Oasis Community Hub Wintringham (Nunsthorpe Youth Club): £1,545.00
Children and Parents Together Nunsthorpe and Bradley Park: £200.00
Support to CAB: £1,000.00
Dial-a-Ride: £2,000.00
Waltham Parish Council (for Neville Turner Way Play Area upgrade: £3,000.00
Waltham Windmill Trust: £864.00
Brigsley Village Hall: £864.00
Defribillators x 2 for West Marsh Community Centre and the MAAG Hall: £2,616.00
Macaulay Area Action Group Art and Craft Workshops: £495.00
19th Grimsby (St Hugh's) Scout Group: £500.00
West Marsh Community Centre( for birthday celebrations: £500.00
West Marsh Allotment Association (Growing from the Ground up): £1,200.00
Neighbourhood Watch Start-ups Project:£28.00
Green Futures: £4,000.00
Cross Coates Neighbourhood Watch (for installation of two CCTV cameras): £365.00
Dial-a-ride: £1,000.00
Dolly Parton Imagination Library - Oasis Community Hub Nunsthorpe: £1,000.00
St Michael's Church (for purchase of four tables): £548.00

NELC HAS 53 OFFICERS ON SALARIES OF £50,000 OR MORE

A TOTAL of 53 officers at North East Lincolnshire Council are on salaries of £50,000 or more.

The figure is revealed in the authority's statement of accounts for 2018-19.

The corresponding figure for the previous year was 62 officers.

However, the cost-saving in employing fewer highly-remunerated staff has come at a price. 

Over the past year, the authority has paid out more than £2-million in voluntary and compulsory redundancy payments to departing staff.

Monday 28 October 2019

NEW DOG-GROOMING PARLOUR IN PROSPECT FOR GRIMSBY RESIDENTIAL STREET

A NEW dog grooming parlour is set to be established in Grimsby.

An application by Mark Cadey-Gell to change the use of his single detached garage at 21 Dymoke Drive has today been granted planning consent by North East Lincolnshire Council.

No representations, either for against the proposal, were submitted by neighbours.

Proposed hours of operation are 9am to 6pm, five days a week between Tuesday and Saturday. 

Up to five dogs will be  groomed per day  with only one at any one time. 

A  driveway is available for parking if required as well as short-term on street parking if necessary.

No customer dogs will be kept overnight on the premises. 

A report by a NELC case officer states: "In terms of impact on the attached neighbours, the proposed use is not likely to be over-intensive and so is not considered  significant.

"Mitigation measures regarding noise, odour and waste have been provided and are deemed acceptable."

However, the consent has been made temporary, for one year only, in order to monitor the use  to ensure that there are no adverse impacts on the neighbours and the area in general.

After 12 months, Mr Cadey-Gell will be able to apply for his planning permission to be extended.

Saturday 26 October 2019

TWO GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES MEDICAL PRACTICES SET TO MERGE




Two of the area’s medical practices are set to merge.

Subject to no unforeseen hitches, the Beacon Medical practice, in Cleethorpes, and Grimsby-based Dr A.Kumar will pool resources and patients as from April 1 next year.

Beacon is located within the Cleethorpes Primary Care Centre, on St Hugh’s Avenue, Cleethorpes, while Dr Kumar is at the Stirling Medical Centre off Stirling Street, Grimsby.

The partners at Beacon are: Dr S. Gupta, Dr A. Nayyar and Dr M. Ismail.

The joint practice will retain the name, Beacon Medical, and there are hopes that the link-up might make it easier to spread the load, to reduce the need to employ expensive short-time locums for holiday cover and to recruit staff.

Patients are currently being notified by letter prior to any formal announcement.

It states: “Our two practices share a commitment to excellent patient care and jointly agree that the best way to continue to offer our patients a quality, reliable and responsive service is to merge our practices.

“This will enable us to share working arrangements and preserve high-quality general practice locally.”

The letter continues: “All our doctors, nurses and other staff will continue to be available as now.

“Both premises will remain open, and we will continue to operate during our current opening hours.

“You will still be able to see your preferred GP, and Dr Kumar will continue to work from and manage patient care at Stirling Medical Centre.

“Your registration at the practice will not be affected but you will be able to be seen by our doctors or nurses at either site, whichever is convenient to you.”

There will be a consultation programme with patients before the proposed merger takes effect.

The letter adds: “Both practices are keen to reinforce their enthusiasm for this change.

“We know that it will be mutually beneficial to practice teams and patients alike.”


Friday 25 October 2019

'OUTSTANDING' PRIMARY SCHOOL SLIPPED UP ON PROPOSAL FOR NEW NURSERY BUILDING.

l
Extraordinary! The academy forgot to seek planning consent

A CLEETHORPES junior school has been allowed to retain a new building even though it was put up without planning consent.

Middlethorpe Primary Academy, off Taylors Avenue, proclaims itself as "outstanding in every area", but it raised eyebrows - not least among neighbouring residents - when it installed the modular unit for nursery pupils without checking whether this was OK.

It was therefore obliged to seek retrospective planning permission from North East Lincolnshire Council.

To the relief of governors and senior staff, this was granted earlier this week.

In her ruling, case officer Cheryl Jarvis said:  "All immediate neighbours have  informed by letter and a site notice was displayed.

"A resident of Itterby Crescent raised concerns of the size of the building, its proximity to boundaries and the safety of children playing near to the property and under trees.

"A question regarding security lighting and its impact was also raised."

She continued: "In addition, the retrospective nature of the application has been raised by an interested party. 

"The undertaking of development without having first obtained the necessary planning permission is done so at the applicant’s own risk.

"Any application found to not be acceptable in planning terms may be open to  enforcement action where necessary.

"The site is visible in the street scene through the open fencing to Highthorpe Crescent.  

"The proposed alterations are seen within the context of school accommodation and are considered to be of suitable design and materials.  

"Given this, it is not considered that the proposal is overly prominent in the street scene."

In granting consent, Ms Jarvis concluded: "The proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle and does not result in any significant effect upon the character of the area, neighbouring amenity, highways safety or drainage."

The academy is part of the Wakefield-based Enquire Learning Trust.


Retrospectively approved - the new nursery

Thursday 24 October 2019

RED ARROWS DISPLAY WAS HIGHLIGHT OF DAVID CAMERON'S VISIT TO CLEETHORPES

David Cameron's book - on sale at local stores

FORMER Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled his mixed emotions when he visited Cleethorpes in summer 2016.

He came to the resort soon after his decision to step down as premier and leave frontline politics in the wake of his dismay at the outcome of the referendum on Brexit.

It was a period of great disappointment for Cameron who had campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU.

Writing in his recently-published autobiography, he says: "Pre-arranged commitments kept me busy,  but I was beginning to feel like the political equivalent of The Walking Dead.

"I went up to Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day and felt enormous pride watching the Red Arrows slicing through the sky."

The book, which is 500-plus pages long,  is published at £25 but available for £12.50 in some local stores such as Tesco in Cleethorpes.

Wednesday 23 October 2019

CIVIC PARTY BACK HOME HOME AFTER TRIP TO CLEETHORPES' TWIN-TOWN IN GERMANY

The town hall in Konigswinter - note the British telephone kiosk

A DELEGATION from North East Lincolnshire Council has arrived home from a four-day visit to Koningswinter, Cleethorpes' twin-town in Germany.

It could be the last such trip pre-Brexit, though hopes are that the twinning arrangement will continue long after the UK leaves the EU.

The NELC party, which went by train to Manchester Airport for the flight, is understood to have comprised:

* The mayor, Cllr Terry Walker (Lib-Dem) and mayoress Hazel Chase
* NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Con)
* NELC chief executive Rob Walsh
* The mayor's officer, Paul Wisken


Apart from one night spent in a  Manchester hotel, accommodation arrangements and meal/drink expenses in Germany were paid for by their hosts.

Don't expect any write-up or pictures of the event! 

Nervous about the prospect of allegations of 'junketing', NELC has long ceased publicising info on civic twinning visits.

Total  cost to the authority  for the visit - made between October 4-7 - is believed to have been £1,150.20.

* Photo credit: Thoma/talk via Wikimedia Commons

Tuesday 22 October 2019

COUNCIL BUYS TWO NEW VANS TO ROUND UP THE BOROUGH'S STRAY DOGS

TWO new vans have been added to North East Lincolnshire Council’s electric fleet.

These will be used by enforcement officers to collect and transport stray dogs from the streets of the borough.

Both are kitted out with dedicated equipment for transporting animals  to holding kennels for l identity checks.

“Being able to contact owners quickly is not only in the best interests of the dog but is in the financial interest of the dog owners as well,"says Neil Clark, of NELC which has recovered 47 dogs over the past three months.


"Microchipping your family pets is the best way to provide a permanent proof of ownership and get one returned  quickly should it go missing.”

The authority now has 25 fully electric vehicles: three Nissan Leaf cars, 15 vans and seven people carriers, including one with wheelchair access.

These vans can travel up to 235 miles before needing to be recharged. 

Repairs and maintenance costs have also been cut as there are fewer moving parts in the engine to wear out, and no oil is needed.

If you find a stray dog and have contained or secured it, contact the council on 01472 326300. 

NELC says dangerous dogs should be reported to the police 101 non-emergency number.

TRIBUTE MESSAGE PAINTED LARGE ON OLD WARTIME FORT IN HUMBER ESTUARY

The Haile Sands fort at the mouth of the Humber

One of the old wartime forts in the Humber Estuary has been scaled in order to leave a bold and touching tribute which has been painted in large lettering. It is believed the tribute  is to a 32-year-old who died last month and whose funeral was held at Grimsby Crematorium on September 20

The tribute - conspicuous from the beach at Humberston

                                         


Monday 21 October 2019

KITE SURFERS IN SPECTACULAR ACTION OFF CLEETHORPES BEACH EARLIER TODAY


Hats off  to the courage, skill and strength of more than a score of  kitesurfers who were in impressive action off Cleethorpes Beach this morning. The tide-time, wind strength and clear light made conditions simultaneously favourable - and challenging. It all provided  great sport and entertainment at the start of the school half-term holidays.













IT'S CARRY ON TRADING FOR CHINESE TAKEAWAY BOSS AS COUNCIL OPTS TO GRANT CERTIFICATE OF LAWFULNESS

IT'S carry on trading for  Xin Feng who has run the New Star Chinese Takeaway at 263 Heneage Road, Grimsby, for the past five years.

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued a certificate of lawfulness.

This overcomes considerations of whether planning consent was ever granted for such a use of the premises.

Ms Feng  purchased the business from Lu Lao Li in 2014, but the property's use as a Chinese takeaway is believed to date to as far back as 1971.

In awarding the certificate, NELC planning officer Lauren Birkwood noted a declaration from Ms Feng that she had always paid business rates and other outgoings based on the property being used as a business premises.

Letters of support were also provided by her supplier, Food Supplies UK, of Hull, her accountant, Simon Cheung of Manchester-based Cheung & Co and a previous owner of the business, Yin Fong Cheung.

Sunday 20 October 2019

SOLAR PLANELS PROPOSAL FOR ROOF OF CLEETHORPES CIVIC OFFICES

UP to 132 solar panels could soon be installed on the roof of the civic offices in Cleethorpes.

This is the latest initiative by North East Lincolnshire Council as it seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.

Subject to no overriding objection, its application for the works at the property - located on Knoll Street - is expected to be granted planning consent.

No indication has been given by the authority on when works might start.

GRIMSBY MP TAKES ABSTENTION OPTION IN LATEST 'COMMONS BREXIT VOTE

GRIMSBY MP Melanie Onn abstained in Saturday's Commons vote on the Letwin Amendment.

However approval of the amendment may only provide a short respite before MPs vote on whether to rubber-stamp the Government's Brexit deal.

Barring a late change of mind, Ms Onn is still expected  to defy Labour Whips by voting with the Government.

She is highly  uncomfortable about riding with Prime Minister Conservative Boris Johnson but believes this option preferable to voting against his proposal  which carries the risk of the UK leaving without a deal - an outcome which, she believes, would be harmful to country and  constituency.

Saturday 19 October 2019

GRIMSBY'S LABOUR MP MELANIE ONN SET TO BACK BORIS JOHNSON IN TODAY'S CRUNCH BREXIT VOTE


Melanie Onn -  Boris Johnson ally?


GRIMSBY'S Labour MP Melanie Onn is today poised to vote FOR the Government’s proposed Brexit deal.


It will mean defying the instructions of her own party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and backing the Conservative prime minister, Boris Johnson.


Ms Onn always voted against the deals agreed with the EU by previous PM Theresa May, so what has changed?


She, herself, favours remaining in the EU - as best for constituency and country -  but , as she is constantly reminded, the majority of her constituents voted Leave in the referendum.

She says the latest proposal could be the “last shot” at leaving with a deal - a far preferable  option than, in her mind, the potential the chaos of leaving without a deal.

There is another calculation will have come into her thinking.



With the prime minister likely to call a General Election for before the end of the year, she faces the prospect of losing her seat if resentful voters turn against her for delaying Brexit.

Is there not a risk that she might face might face deselection by her own Labour  constituency association if she defies the party leadership in today's Commons vote?

Ms Onn is confident  this is unlikely.

Meanwhile, Cleethorpes and Immingham MP Martin Vickers (Conservative), a staunch Brexiteer, is today certain to vote with the Government.

Friday 18 October 2019

CONFIDENT AND ALMOST CONFIDING - CLEETHORPES' MOST FEARLESS HERON

Buck Beck - a happy hunting ground for this hungry heron

AN  unusually tame heron has been a recent feature on the banks of the Buck Beck in Cleethorpes.

Normally a wary species, quick to take flight, this bird has been almost oblivious to passers-by - even those walking one or more dogs.

Most songbirds are in decline in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area, but many waterside birds are faring well.

Herons are often to be found along watercourses and sometimes on or near the tideline on Cleethorpes Beach or even in the middle of far fields.

Also flourishing l locally are little egrets which, until 15 years ago, were relative rarities in North East Lincolnshire .


Beady-eyed and beautiful 




Wednesday 16 October 2019

DANCE SCHOOL PLAN FOR GRIMSBY CHURCH

A GRIMSBY place of worship could be converted to a dance school subject to consent from North East Lincolnshire Council.

Kirk Moore has applied for change of use of the North Light Tower Christian Church on Crosland Road.

It is likely the proposal will be determined by NELC case officer Lauren Birkwood under delegated powers without the need for deliberation by the authority's planning committee.

Tuesday 15 October 2019

PLANNING GREEN LIGHT FOR EXTENSION AT HEALING PRIMARY SCHOOL

THE planning go-ahead has been given for a single-storey  extension to be built at Healing Primary School.

As part of the same project, the existing parking area will be enlarged, the cycle shelter will be relocated and a new 2.4-metre fence will be installed.

The school, which enjoys an excellent reputation, is situated behind a row of terraced properties on Fords Avenue.

There is an area of woodland to the north-east.

The school's highly-regarded headteacher is Becky Wakefield.

LONG MOTORING BAN FOR FORMER COUNCIL LEADER FOLLOWING DRINK-DRIVING CONVICTION


A FORMER leader of North East Lincolnshire Council has been banned from the roads for 28 months following his conviction for drink-driving.

Ray Oxby was prosecuted after an incident in February this year in which he reversed his car into the garden wall at his home in New Waltham.

Following a tip-off, police were called, and after having been breathalysed, the defendant was found to have 224mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - the legal limit being 80mg.

Appearing before Grimsby magistrates, he admitted the offence and was additionally order to pay a fine and court costs amounting to more than £1,000.

The Bench heard mitigating evidence that, as Labour leader, he had been under intense personal strain, having encountered social media abuse over his commitment to the controversial scheme for the roundabout at Waltham roundabout to be replaced with traffic lights - a decision since rescinded by NELC's current Conservative controlling group.

Soon after his arrest, Mr Oxby (63) resigned both as leader of the council and as one of the authority's representatives for Grimsby's South Ward. He said he was looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.

Prior to being elected, he had served for a time on New Waltham parish council. Before that, he had been one of NELC's most senior officer - Director of Environment.

Popular with colleagues when he was at NELC, he is understood to enjoy fell-walking and is also a fan of the music of American rock star, Bruce Springsteen.

Monday 14 October 2019

NOISE AND SPEED - THE JETSKI ENTHUSIASTS WHO SPOOK THE HUMBER ESTUARY'S WADERS



SEEN here, the  oystercatchers and black-backed gulls don't seem too put out by jetski action off Cleethorpes, but knot, bartailed godwit were thrown into panic.

There was no indication that the sports enthusiasts were deliberately targeting the birds, but the commotion was not good to see (video below).

The Humber Estuary is a Special Protection Area for waders and wildfowl - notably knot which arrive in thousands during winter from their breeding grounds in Canada, Greenland and elsewhere.

It is an offence to disturb them.

At high tide in daylight hours, jetski enthusiasts pursue their sport along the estuary all the way from Cleethorpes Pier to the Humberston Fitties where the sand- and mud-banks provide prime feeding and roosting habitat for many species of wader and wildfowl,



Friday 11 October 2019

LARGER GRIMSBY STORE IN PROSPECT AS TRADE CONTINUES TO BOOM FOR GERMAN DISCOUNTER

Artist's impression of how the store might look if the expansion is given the planning green light

BOSSES at German supermarket chain Aldi have earmarked the Grimsby store for a substantial makeover.

Subject to planning consent from North East Lincolnshire, the premises will be extended and the car park will be spruced up with enhanced landscaping.

According to Jamie Pert at  the Harrogate office of the company's agent, Planning Potential, the initiative is in response to "continued strong trading".

Says he: "Additional floorspace will improve efficiencies and operations at  what is considered a constrained store.

"This will create a better shopping experience."

The store, on Cleethorpes Road, is one of the older supermarkets in  Aldi's UK  estate.

The intention is to increase the sales area from 933 sq metres sales  to 1,269 sq metres.

As part of the same scheme, there will also be new covered entrance canopy, a larger and improved staff welfare area and a refurbished manager's office.

The landscaping will be enhanced by infill planting and the replacement of any dead or damaged shrubs or trees.

There is no word of new jobs being created, but this is a possibility.

As a discounter at a time when shoppers are strapped for cash, Aldi has enjoyed spectacular growth over the past decade.

Locally, it has been helped by the demise of competitors such as Ramsden's.

It is understood that Aldi did consider building an entirely new store but could find no suitable alternative location.

It will be a few weeks yet before a planning decision is made on the application, so, assuming it is approved, refurbishments are unlikely to start before the onset of the new year.

COULD ONE OR MORE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S 50 'HEADSTARTED' CURLEWS COME TO THE GRIMSBY AREA FOR WINTER?

Curlew feeding on Cleethorpes Beach - watch out for birds with rings on both legs
                                                    
CURLEWS 'headstarted' in Gloucestershire during July could spend winter in or around Grimsby.

Headstarting is the technique whereby eggs are taken under licence from nests - invariably on Ministry of Defence land - then  incubated in confinement to prevent them being predated by creatures such as rats.

The chicks remain in confinement until they are mature enough to be released into suitable habitats in the wild.

Curlew eggs - removed under licence from MoD land (photo: WWT)

The 50 birds in question could  turn up feeding anywhere - on muddy estuaries, on playing fields and even in cemeteries.


For ease of identification,  each bird has been fitted with a yellow ring at the top of the right leg and a white ring with a number at the top of the left leg.

The organisation behind the headstarting project is the Slimbridge-based Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) which is appealing for information on sightings.


It says: "Please include as much information as you can - date, time, location, ring number and what they were up to. 


"Is it feeding? Is it in a high tide roost? We’d love to know.

"If you manage to capture a picture of the bird - even better!"

Although common locally in winter, UK-wide curlew numbers have declined by over 65 per cent  since 1970.


Continues the WWT: "Modern landscapes are making it increasingly difficult for adults to rear enough chicks to fledging age. 


"Because curlew live for a relatively long time, the hit on their population hasn't been obvious, as adult birds are still readily seen - but the lack of new chicks is becoming more and more apparent. 


"Predators are having a major impact. Curlew eggs and chicks are predated by mammals and birds. 


"This is a natural process, but some of these predators – such as foxes and crows - are more abundant in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, and there’s simply too much predation for the curlew population to sustain. 


"The efficiency of modern farming, along with a warming climate, means that hay and silage crops are harvested earlier by larger, faster modern machinery. In some places, eggs and chicks accidentally fall victim to the mower.


"Breeding curlews favour open, usually damp, grassland and heaths, which provide safe nest sites and places for both adults and chicks to feed. 

"But over recent decades, the land has become drier, more uniform and supports fewer insects, making it harder for curlews and their chicks to find food. 


"The curlew is now regarded as the most pressing bird conservation priority in the UK where we hold a quarter of the world’s population. 


"Its  decline  is not just the loss of a valuable wetland species, but a significant cultural and heritage loss too. 


"We are working with farmers and landowners, conservationists and communities to improve the curlews’ chances."


Anyone who detects one of the ringed birds is urged to email the info to: curlew@wwt.org.uk



Curlew cutie - one of the headstarted chicks (photo: WWT)


PLANNING REFUSAL FOR HUMBERSTON SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES PROPOSAL

A PLAN to build four houses with garages in a leafy part of Humberston has been refused.

Mrs Alora Pungi sought planning consent to build two pairs of semi-detached houses on land at 33 Humberston Avenue.

Her application did  not go before North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee but was turned down under delegated powers by senior case officer Cheryl Jarvis.

She shared the view of local objectors - and the parish council - that the development would, because of its layout and density,  be out character with other properties and detrimental to what is an attractive part of the borough.

Thursday 10 October 2019

NEW MOTOR SALES/REPAIRS BUSINESS ON THE CARDS FOR CLEETHORPES


A NEW commercial garage could soon be coming to Cleethorpes.

Grimsby man Lee Sinclair has secured planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council to change the use of land and premises at the rear of 3-21 Brereton Avenue.

An existing storage and distribution unit will thus give way to a mixed use unit for car sales, MOT testing and car servicing.

The site is adjacent to the former home of birdseed suppliers John E. Haith who now operate out of a site on Europarc.

Some neighbours objected to the proposal on the grounds of potential noise and highway safety, but NELC planners do not consider their concerns  sufficient to warrant refusal.

It is not known when work on the redevelopment will start.

Wednesday 9 October 2019

ESCAPED HARRIS HAWK ENJOYING ITS FREEDOM HIGH IN THE TREES OF HUMBERSTON

The escaped hawk - it struck terror  into the hearts of nearby woodpigeons

ANYONE lost a Harris hawk?

This escapee was spotted in tall trees at the end of South Sea Lane in Humberston at lunchtime today.

The bird was being mobbed by two magpies, one of which approached close enough to aim a peck - at which point the huge raptor flew off to another tree, terrifying a group of perched woodpigeons which scattered from the branches in panic.

The Harris  hawk is a native of North America, but is one of the most popular birds of prey among UK falconers.

















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Tuesday 8 October 2019

BACK IN BUSINESS - LINCOLNSHIRE'S MOST ECCENTRIC BEACH LANDMARK


Reconstructed - the plankcamp on Cleethorpes outer beach

LESS than a week after it was destroyed by high tides, a novel Cleethorpes  landmark has been rebuilt.

The 'people's bench' (also known as the 'plankcamp')  is now located 50 metres north of its previous site because that is where most of the timber was deposited by the inrushing waves.

Because it is on the outer beach, few people venture out to this eccentric 'folly'. 

However,  it is conspicuous both from passing ships and from the marine footpath running between the leisure centre and Humberston Fitties.

When the flag is flying, it means the Queen is in residence. 😀


The same structure before being 'taken out' by high tides
                                                           

Monday 7 October 2019

PLANNING THUMBS-UP FOR PROPOSED MAKEOVER AT HUMBERSTON PUB-RESTAURANT

Refurbishment in  prospect for popular Humberston meeting place

A REVAMP is on the cards for a popular Humberston pub-restaurant.

The Coach House, on Fieldhouse Road, is to be refurbished to accommodate more dining space, new WCs, a staffroom and internal storage.

These facilities will be housed in a single-storey extension for which planning consent has been granted by North East Lincolnshire Council.

As part of the same project, the expansive car park will be resurfaced. there will be a new patio area. A section of new fencing will also be installed.

The parish council raised no objection but some residents are unhappy about the proposal.

They believe the prospect of increased customers will generate noise and that construction works could cause pollution or other adverse impact to the adjacent Beck culvert and water course.

However, planners do not believe the concerns are sufficient to warrant refusing the application.

Says their report: "The proposal would not present any significant issues in terms of its design and impact to the character of the area. 

"Moreover it would not present any significant impacts to residential neighbouring and business amenity."

It is not known when the works will start and how long they will take.

Sunday 6 October 2019

NEW LIFEBOAT STATION 'ON STILTS' WILL BE VISUALLY INTRUSIVE - BUT ALL TO THE GOOD IF IT ENHANCES PRECIOUS LIFESAVING SERVICE

Although the new lifeboat station will be intrusive across the beach, the design by Lancaster- based Thomas Associates Architects has met with the liking of council planners

WILL the proposed new lifeboat stations harm the Cleethorpes beachscape?


Almost certainly yes, but it is surely a price worth paying if the venture helps to save lives.

The structure will be located about 50 metres closer to the pier than the current lifeboat station. 

Like the pier it will be constructed on steel stilts. There will be an access ramp to the sea.

But the impact of the structure will be intrusive and bisect a busy part of central beach, thereby creating a less expansive, even slightly cluttered visual impact.

The bases of the stilts are  likely to accumulate litter and could also create an obstacle to North East Lincolnshire Council's sand cleansing/raking activities.  

Construction activities will cause a disturbance to the wading birds - such as knot, oystercatcher, curlew and redshank - that feed on the beach but these are likely to return, possibly in enhanced numbers when the project has been completed.

The new premises will accommodate not just the existing D-class inflatable inshore lifeboat, but also a larger Atlantic 85 B-Class inshore vessel with greater operational capacities.

For a start it has a higher maximum speed - 33 knots per hour compared with 25 knots for the D-Class. It comes equipped with radar and can take a crew of four rather than the three only of its junior sister.

Work was due to have started on construction this week. There has been a hitch but it is still expected to proceed this autumn, possibly later this month.

A report to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee, which approved the application in June last year, states: "The proposal will result in a change to the existing landscape. 

"Other than the pier, there is little in the way of protrusion on to the beach. 


"Much of the proposal is derived from operational need and this, to a degree, influences the layout and form of the building to ensure it is fit for purpose.

  
"Notwithstanding, significant thought has been given to the scale of the building and its external finish to ensure it is respectful, particularly so given the site's close proximity to Cleethorpes Central Seafront Conservation Area. 

"The building has an interesting design with a wave-shaped roof which overhangs at the sides.  External finishes are proposed to be timber and buff sandstone for the external walls with aluminium for the roof.  Timber is proposed for the windows and doors. 


"Durability of materials is key given the site's coastal location.

"The building's footprint is not excessive and, from Central Promenade, it would be viewed as a single storey building.  


"This size of building is characteristic of other buildings in the locality and would not be out of keeping in relation to scale."

The council's conservation officer, Emily Wailes, comments: "The proposed materials and lighting are considered to be an extension to the existing character of the promenade, and, as such, the development will become a positive addition to the historic resort."

Cleethorpes has had a lifeboat since 1868.

The importance of the service it provides is reflected in this year's statistics which reveal that, up to present this year, the lifeboat has been called out on no fewer than 61 occasions, resulting in at least six lives having been saved.

Most recently it was in action on September 27 after there was a report of a man wading out into the sea between the pier and Fuller Street.

Happily, the incident proved to be much ado about nothing. The individual turned up at his home not long after.

It is not known what might be the future of the current lifeboat station once it has become redundant.


Below: Any disturbance to wading birds, such as this curlew, from construction noise and activity is likely to be short-term