CRUNCH DECISION LOOMS ON CONTROVERSIAL CLEETHORPES RAILWAY FOOTBRIDGE PROJECT

Artist's impression of the proposed footbridge

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to build a footbridge over the railway line at Suggitts Lane in Cleethorpes could be scuppered at a meeting this week.

At a meeting tomorrow of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee, members will be recommended to turn down the application by senior case officer Jonathan Cadd.

This is what his report says:

(1) The proposed footbridge due to its scale and position would have an unacceptable impact on the amenities of the adjoining residential properties appearing as  an over dominant feature causing adverse massing and removing the majority of outlook for occupiers. In addition, the proximity of the bridge is such that occupiers would likely to be subjected to unreasonable levels of noise and nuisance and the potential for anti-social behaviour. Moreover, without acceptable mitigation being demonstrated the construction of the bridge is likely to cause adverse noise and vibration detrimental to residential amenity. 

(2) The proposal fails to demonstrate an acceptable form of development in relation to designing out crime.

(3) The proposed footbridge, with respect to its construction, has the potential to generate substantial noise and vibration which due to the application site's close proximity to the ecologically protected Humber Estuary has the potential to cause unacceptable impact on sensitive and protected species. Insufficient detail has been provided to ascertain the level of impact on these receptors nor whether mitigation measures proposed would be sufficient to offset these impacts.

The committee is not dutibound to accept Mr Cadd's recommendations and may yet approve the project.

The planning meeting takes place at 9.30am tomorrow (Thursday).