It started with a kiss - love-struck Grimsby pigeons get all coo-ey in countdown to New Year

New Year's Eve romance was in the air for these two pigeons at Grimsby's Riverhead earlier today. Bless! 

 

Essex firm given planning green light for conversion of Grimsby care home to house in multiple occupation

                                                  

A new chapter is set to open in the life of Carlton House on Grimsby's Hainton Avenue following planning consent by  North East Lincolnshire Council for the property to be converted from a care home to nine bedsitting rooms. The firm behind the change-of-use project is Kassam Ltd, of Hornchurch in Essex.

Impressive plans unveiled for proposed youth centre pavilion in Grimsby's East Marsh

These handsome illustrations have been drawn up by Cleethorpes-based Hodson architects to indicate the educational and recreational pavilion  proposed by the Shalom Youth Centre adjacent to the Methodist church in Rutland Street in Grimsby's East Marsh. It is hoped planning permission will be forthcoming early in the New Year.

 

Strawberry Fields for ever? Site clearance has begun on Cleethorpes site in readiness for 86 new houses

Design of one of the houses (note the distant mountains behind the fence)

IT'S full steam ahead for entrepreneur,  property developer and Beatles fan Ming Yeung with his latest project in Cleethorpes.

Clearance work is now underway on a former arable field at Hewitt's Circus - opposite the Tesco superstore - in readiness for construction  of  86 houses.

The scheme has sometimes been dogged by controversy - not least when North East Lincolnshire planners made a hash of determining Mr Yeung's scheme  and refused his planning application without adequate grounds.

After submitting an appeal to an independent inspector, Mr Yeung not only won but was awarded his costs in full against  NELC .

Mr Yeung is a longstanding fan of The Beatles - one of his companies is known as Fab2 - and, subject to official approval, he plans to name the Cleethorpes development Strawberry Fields - the title of one of the Fab Four's songs.

Ming Yeung - determined and dynamic

                                            

The schedule is as follows:

* Earthworks, ground clearance and re-grading of the site

* Foundations installation 

* Scaffold erection 

* Brick and blockwork 

* Joinery

* Masonry to envelope buildings and other areas 

* Plastering internal and external, plaster boarding

* Electrical Installation

* Mechanical installation 

* Decoration

* Landscaping, Tarmacking

Construction hours have been set at 08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 - 13:00 on Saturdays.

The project is set to take 18 months.

It is not known if either of the surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr, will be invited to Cleethorpes to cut the ribbon and hand over the keys to the first occupants.

Action man Mr Yeung is also a director of the consortium, headed by the Lidl supermarket company, which, subject to planning permission, hopes to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park.                                                        

Clearance has begun in readiness for the house foundations to be installed

Plenty of trees and shrubs - the proposed layout of the development

Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning - but it was magnificent while it lasted

 

Seen from Cleethorpes central promenade at 8.15am today as the sun rose and the tide was high

London consortium earmarks former Grimsby railway sidings for £75-million salmon 'farm' project

AN ambitious plan has been unveiled for a £75-million indoor salmon 'farm' in Grimsby.

A London-based consortium, Aquacultured Seafoods Ltd, has earmarked the former railway sidings, off Salvesen Road,  on the docks estate, for its ambitious project. 

The 11-hectare triangle-shaped site is currently vacant and has become an ‘unofficial’ nature reserve. It is designated as a Local Wildlife Site. 

ASL has offices in Jermyn Street - one of the most fashionable parts of Westminster.

Currently, it has no trading history and assets totalling less than £20,000.

However, it is sufficiently confident about its brainchild to have engaged agents Montagu Evans to produce a comprehensive report on what is proposed.

Says the document: "Once fully operational, the proposed building would provide 40,000 sq m of  floorspace and associated plant/infrastructure.

"This would provide for an enclosed aquaculture facility producing approximately 5,000 tonnes gross of whole fish per annum.

A dedicated area would be set aside for bio security and disinfection, and there would be 77 car parking spaces and three loading bays.

Access to the salmon farm would be off Salvesen Road via a new shared access point.

On the technical side, the 'facility' will contain a marine recirculating aquaculture system, known in the industry as an RAS, within both freshwater and saltwater tanks. 

The freshwater tanks would support the early stages of the salmon life cycle and the larger saltwater tanks provide the environment for the salmon to grow to 4-5kg in size. 

Associated infrastructure would include a water treatment plant, a fish processing line and a feed storage unit.

It is understood that ports company have agreed to provide the amount of fresh water required from their own boreholes located nearby.

Salt water, meanwhile, would be abstracted from a borehole constructed on site.

Assuming ASL  can secure both funding and planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council, the salmon 'farm' could create dozens of jobs and consolidate Europe's reputation as one of the world’s foremost fish-processing towns.

The consortium’s seven members are well connected and bring a broad range of entreprepreneurial expertise and experience to the  project.

At least, two already have connections with the seafood sector - Colin Anderson at Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd and James Fox-Davies at Fowey Shellfoods Company Ltd.

In the event that planners looks favourably on the project, ASL will probably need to commission  an archaeological survey of the site because it is an 'historic landscape'. 

It will also need to provide assurances on issues associated with traffic movements, pollution, odour, waste disposal and the welfare of the fish.

Some mitigation may also be necessary for potential loss of wildlife habitat.

The firm hopes to submit a formal planning application in the New Year.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all!

 

Robin admires the scenery from aloft a sea buckthorn bush on Cleethorpes foreshore

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS  FROM THE TEAM AT THE GRIMSBY NEWS 

The wind turbines have been checked, now all on board are sailing back home in time for Christmas

 

Seen off Cleethorpes at 4pm today. All on board can now look forward to enjoying Christmas after returning from a North Sea windfarm where those on board had been checking out the turbines - adjusting the bolts. tightening up the screws, that sort of thing. Mission accomplished!  

Say farewell to the wildlife! It looks like curtains for creatures that have made Pleasure Island their home

                                                

Behind the prison-style walls -  a sunlit glimpse into a green and leafy world of Pleasure Island

THE Lidl-led consortium seeking to redevelop Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes with a supermarket and holiday lodges has cleared a major hurdle.

It has learned that it will not be required to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment of the effect its project will have on the wildlife that lives on the site.

That means that songbirds (including cuckoos), bats, water voles and a family of badgers are now in real peril of being displaced, while scores of mature trees and shrubs face the chop.

The consortium's agents, Lichfields, have acknowledged that the site is home to a badger sett, "several" bat roosts and birds such as reed warbler, little grebe, mute swan, kingfisher, little egret and Cetti’s warbler on or around the lake. 

But the firm says "mitigation" can be provided in the form, for  instance, of "nesting opportunities" for birds and flight "corridors" for bats.

North East Lincolnshire Council's planning case officer, Cheryl Jarvis, has accepted Lichfield's assurances and states in her report that redevelopment would bring "no significant effects".   

It is understood that NELC's ecology officer, Rachel Graham, and Natural England both expressed opinions on whether an environmental impact assessment would be advisable, but their reports have not been released.

Long-term, the consortium  has also indicated its futher intention to build two hotels on the site, but this would hinge on sufficient income being generated by the supermarket and  holiday lodges.

The Grimsby News says: This is a casebook example of the old adage that everyone likes Nature - until it gets in the way. The council is so desperate to see redevelopment of the former theme park that the conservation of wildlife is being disregarded almost totally. The agent's pledge of appropriate mitigation is so vague and lacking in detail as to be useless. How, for example, do you provide a "nesting opportunity" for a cuckoo? The planning case officer should have been much more rigorous in her analysis of the Lichfields statement.  What is more, any opinions expressed by the ecology officer and Natural England should have been published for all to see.  Why have they been withheld?

Award for Grimsby's new mitigation site which is already proving a magnet for wetland birds

Not a place of beauty but newly created habitat is pulling in the birds

      
GRIMSBY'S new Novartis Ings wetland birds mitigation site has only been established for a few months, but already it has won an award.

It comes from the Humber Nature Partnership which has published this photograph on its website.

Says  the HNP: "the mitigation site  represents the culmination of many years of work by a range of organisations.

"It demonstrates that, with close partnership working between conservation bodies, local businesses and local authorities, economic development and wildlife can flourish together.

"The award recognises the commitment of all involved, in particular North East Lincolnshire Council which has developed the site. 

"The award also serves as a thank-you to phamaceutical company Novartis which donated the land and has always demonstrated a commendable approach to environmental issues on the Humber."

The tally of bird species is steadily increasing and, over the past two or three months, is reported to have included the likes of kittiwake, goosander, yellow-legged gull, golden plover, Mediterranean gull, spotted redshank and Iceland gull.                                                

Iceland gull (photo: Andrew Dove)

A statement from NELC says: "The main aim of the 20-acre site is to provide a haven for wildlife ahead of future potential industrial development in the area.

"Companies looking to expand or invest in the area would have previously been required to obtain land for wildlife to offset their developments as a planning requirement - an expensive process likely to delay development for months and can be hugely expensive. 

"Thanks to this mitigation project, the compensation land is ready and waiting for them."

Black-tailed godwits are among the birds that have come calling
 

This was one of several ruff seen in autumn

                                           

Ian Johnson (centre left), of Novartis, and council leader Philip Jackson with the award. Also pictured are representatives of supporting organisations plus site designer Roger Wardle (centre). Photo: HNP 

Ten months disruption at Grimsby's Riverhead - but the 'green' revamp should be well worth it

                                                                 

Garden of Eden? Not quite, but the trees and shrubs should make big difference to Top Town

                               
 

WORK is due to start early next month on Grimsby's  Riverhead improvement scheme.

The project will see the area transformed to incorporate much more 'green' space in the form of trees and shrubs.

There will also be new seating and a flexible event space.

Says North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "It is vital for our borough that we look at Grimsby Town Centre with a real determination to attract families and people of all ages, so we can bring vibrancy back and make it a place where people want to visit at all times of the day.”

The new design has been drawn up by Arup Landscape Design with input from local people, including children.

Initially, hoardings will be erected on Riverhead to screen off the works and contain the dust. These will go up in the first few weeks of 2023.

Pedestrians will be able to navigate around the hoardings to access from Frederick Ward Way through to Victoria Street at all times.

The footpath next to the business premises on the eastern side of the dock will not be affected.

Access to businesses adjacent the works, including the Post Office and the Barge, will be maintained at all times.

The bus stops along Victoria Street and the access to Freshney Place car park will not be affected.

The works on Riverhead are being managed by Equans, on behalf of NELC, and will take approximately 10 months to complete.

Is Santa in hot pursuit? Christmas tree spotted aloft cargo vessel entering Humber

                                             

Hats off to the crew of this cargo vessel spotted off Cleethorpes as she enters the Humber Estuary! Look closely - they’ve taken the trouble to secure  a Christmas tree to the top of the mast! Just one slight criticism. They’ve forgotten to add a fairy to the top.

Don't worry, be happy! Big Brother 'spy' cameras are here to watch over your every move

                                                

Not for nothing is the surveillance suite described as a 'control' room 

NOVELIST George Orwell's 1984 vision of a world in which the State spies on its citizens has come a step closer in Grimsby town centre.

New CCTV cameras have been installed, with 'operatives' in a refurbished control room monitoring the moving images.

According to North East Lincolnshire Council, 97 existing CCTV cameras have been upgraded and a further 61 new ones installed.

In addition, mobile cameras are being deployed across the borough.

Without giving details, the authority says the surveillance is set to continue "to a greater degree".

The Big Brother installations, which have cost the council taxpayer £2.2-million, come with a warning to the public "not to put a foot wrong" or else.

"This piece of work has been about making residents feel safer on our streets and in their communities," says NELC cabinet member Cllr Ron Shepherd.

The Grimsby News says: This initiative is doubtless well intentioned, but, nonethelesss, it is very sinister, not to say downright creepy. No one likes to feel snooped on. What calibre of  staff are in the control room? Who are their employers? How long will the images be retained before they are destroyed? Who owns their copyright? What protection is there for the privacy of the individual? The council has many questions to answer. Spying on its citizens  may be OK for Russia and China, but surely not here? This was not how England was meant to be.

New fountain should freshen up River Freshney - and bring sparkle to Grimsby town centre

 

The new fountain has been approved by the Environment Agency

IT is hoped a newly-installed fountain will help improve water quality - and encourage wildlife - within the River Freshney basin in Grimsby.

Earlier this year, the river was dredged in the same section, with the removal of more than 2230 tonnes of silt and waste over a four week project, allowing the river to flow much more freely.

The new fountain will build on this, increasing aeration of the water, reducing algae growth and helping to protect this piece of water for wildlife and/ or other water activities.

Says North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "With warmer summers, we have to change our approach to water management. 

"We know that the water quality of the River Freshney has vastly improved over the last 10 years, and we need to make sure that this continues in the future.

"We now have otters back in the centre of Grimsby and we need to make sure all hard work put in to dredge the river and remove unnecessary silt is maintained and the water can be enjoyed equally by people and wildlife.

"Additionally, this will provide a very attractive feature in our town centre, complementing the work done on the Garth Lane waterfront site last year and the work due to start on the Riverhead in the new year."

The fountain has been approved by the Environment Agency.

It complies with the Eel Regulations, ensuring the safety of eels and other water-dwelling creatures.

All electricity for the fountain comes from renewable sources as part of the council’s commitment to the green agenda.

Heartbreak as second Cleethorpes goose dies following ice incident which claimed life of her partner

                                                

Gretel - reunited with her partner in goose heaven 

A POPULAR goose that lived for many years at Cleethorpes Boating Lake has died.

The sad news was announced today by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue which had been caring for the bird, known as Gretel, since she became trapped when the lake iced over last week.

Her longstanding partner, Hansel, died in the same incident but it was thought that Gretel was on the mend.

Ultimately what claimed her life may have been a broken heart. 

The charity has put out this statement: "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the loss of Gretel who passed away in comfort at the rescue this morning. 

"Sadly, the loss of her partner was too much for her, and, despite everyone’s best efforts, we had noted she was getting more and more depressed without him. 

"We always knew this was a possibility with them being such bonded birds but, as with all rescues, we always hope and aim for the best result. 

The statement adds: "We know they weres such loved birds at the boating lake, and it has been  difficult for all of us here. too.

"Our condolences to everyone who will be feeling this loss! 

"Rest in peace, Gretel, fly high and you’re back reunited with Hansel!"

Helping to keep trade flowing freely - dredger's vital role in easing precious routes for Humber traffic

There has been plenty of activity off Cleethorpes over the past week as a dredging vessel goes through its paces. It is important to keep shipping lanes as free as possible from accumulating sand in order to  faciliate ease of access to and from the Humber ports which play a vital role in Britain's trading relationships with the rest of the world. 

 

Early rehearsal for Santa in Cleethorpes in readiness for his busiest weekend of year

 

Ho, ho, ho! A cheery greeting last Friday from Santa and team as they go walkabout in Cleethorpes town centre and on the seafront in rehearsal for busy times next Saturday and Sunday.

Council says no to proposed 20-metre high telephone mast at 'gateway to resort area of Cleethorpes'

                                                

The mast - along with antennae and other equipment -  would have been outside this popular pub 

A PROPOSAL to install a 20-metre high telephone mast opposite The Trawlerman pub in Cleethorpes has been refused by North East Lincolnshire Council.

The authority's decision notice reads as follows: "The mast is proposed in a location - a grass verge off North Sea Lane - which acts as a gateway into the resort area of Cleethorpes and is located close to a caravan site as well as several residential properties. 

"It is acknowledged that there are several other items of street furniture in this area such as road signage, but, given the height, scale and location of the mast, it is considered that this would be significantly more pronounced in the street scene.

"It would be harmful to visual amenity as it would be considerably greater than the scale of other buildings in the area." 

The report continues: "It is noted that neighbours have also raised concerns in relation to the development being located close to residential dwellings, and it is considered that the mast would be over-dominant and intrusive to the detriment of residential amenity of neighbouring property.

"Furthermore, given the mast's location close to a pedestrian crossing, the council's highways officer considers that the mast would block visibility when crossing the road. 

"The officer also considers that the mast would obstruct drivers' views of existing directional road signs. 

"For these safety reasons, the highway officer objects to the application."

Humberston Village Council had raised no concerns about the proposal, but there were objections from some of the residents living at nearby Riverside Drive, Seaford Road, Kings Mews and Faulding Way.

Making a long overdue return - the Cleethorpes bus shelter that was installed, then hastily removed

The Cleethorpes bus shelter that was installed in spring, then hastily removed, is to be re-installed on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. There was much scoffing in social media when  it was located on Sea Road such that it obstructed the benches where people like to eat al fresco (usually fish and chips). Its new home will still be on Sea Road, opposite the mini-golf, but in a place where folk can still access those all-important benches. North East Lincolnshire Council have not revealed whether there will be a ribbon-cutting launch  to mark its return.   

Spring start for ambitious seafront building - but, sadly, it's not the one in Cleethorpes

                                                               

Sutton-on-Sea looks looks to have stolen a march on Cleethorpes in plans for a swish new amenity building overlooking the sea. Locally, the project on Sea Road has stalled, and the site remains shielded by hoarding. By contrast, East Lindsey District Council have announced a proposed start-date of spring next year for its impressive colonnade and pleasure gardens scheme.                                                                    

There will be consequences! Council's action warning on Grimsby nuisance behaviour

 

Some of those involved with the initiative - Cllr Ron Shepherd is second right 

A PRE-CHRISTMAS crackdown in Grimsby has resulted in fines for lawbreakers 

Officers from North East Lincolnshire Council, Equans,the police and other organisations targeted misdemeanours such as illegal parking, littering, anti-social behaviour and homelessness, in the town centre and Freeman Street.

According to NELC, this led, in a single day, to:

* 13 tickets issued to people breaching a Public Space Protection Order by cycling through the town centre’s pedestrianised area

* 2 fixed penalty notices issued for littering

* 6 parking tickets and 15 parking advisories issued

* 1 youth referral

* 4 interventions for people riding e-scooters

* 1 intervention with a local business relating to anti-social behaviour

In addition, the authority referred eight rough sleepers to its housing support team.

Afterwards, Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, expressed delight over the initiative.

Said he: "Our officers are working throughout the year to enforce Public Space Protection Orders and make sure that people are adhering to the law.

"More high-profile days of action like this one are designed both to draw attention to the work that our officers do and to reassure people that we do take action against people causing a nuisance in urban spaces."

He added: "The message to take away from the day is simple - cause a nuisance or commit anti-social behaviour and you could find yourself with a hefty fine.”

For Humberside police, Insp Tom Stevens commented: "We have been working closely with partners  to help make Grimsby town centre and Freeman Street more inviting places to visit."

Lonely Christmas lis ahead for Gretel, the broken-hearted Cleethorpes boating lake goose

 

Where is my beloved Hansel? Gretel pines for her mate

AN uncertain future beckons for a much-loved Cleethorpes boating lake goose affectionately known as Gretel.

Thanks to the intervention of the charity, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue, the bird was rescued when most of the surface of lake's water turned to ice.

But Hansel, her partner of longstanding, perished.

Under the tender care of volunters, Gretel seems to be recovering physically from hypothermia and  injuries sustained when her wings and feet scraped on the ice, but emotionally she is fragile   

Says CWR: "Geese are well known for developing strong bonds.

"It is still very early to say how Gretel is going to respond to the loss of her partner. 

"We have now got all the ice off her and, in physical  health, she is showing signs of improvement, but she is very depressed."

"It is early days and now entirely up to Gretel on how she goes from here.

"She is an old bird, and she may struggle at the start, but we will be right by her side offering every opportunity to improve." 

Anyone wishing to donate to Gretel's care can do so via this link:

www.linktr.ee/CleethorpesWildlifeRescue

Council aiming for 'game, set and match' with bid to improve tennis courts in Cleethorpes

 

Ace idea! Council hopeful of funding to restore tired tennis courts

A MAKEOVER is on the cards for 'tired' tennis courts in Cleethorpes 

A funding bid has been prepared to bring  back to playing standard the courts at Barretts Recreation Ground, Haverstoe Park and Sussex Recreation Ground.

This is likely to be 'served' early in the New Year to the Lawn Tennis Association which, thanks to Whitehall support, has available £30-million to refurbish public courts across Britain.

The Government is keen to level up sports provision across the nation and widen opportunities for children and adults to be active. 

According to NELC, the three local parks were identified due to such criteria as "potential to attract players, the poor quality of the existing playing surfaces and levels of deprivation in the surrounding areas".

If the funding is granted, NELC will need to explore not just how to improve the courts but also how they should be managed.

Preliminary discussions have already take place between council officials and the LTA.

Call for North East Lincolnshire Council to declare borough-wide cost-of-living emergency

                                                                                    

Cllr Matthew Patrick

AT the last full meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council on Thursday, the Labour leader, Cllr Matthew Patrick, and colleague, Cllr Kathryn Wheatley, will urge the authority to declare a cost-of-living emergency in the borough. The wording of their motion is below. 

The UK has seen a collapse in the standard of living over the last decade, with ordinary working people, the most vulnerable in society and young people being hardest hit.

This is contrasted with a significant improvement in living standards and public services experienced within the previous decade. 

Steady erosion of vital local and national public services coupled with no real terms increases in wages for most people have created the conditions for a perfect storm, putting millions into a vulnerable economic position.

The poor planning experienced for the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, coupled with international events, spiking inflation, caused mostly by energy price hikes, means that many of the residents of North East Lincolnshire are finding themselves in the most difficult financial trouble they have ever faced.

Unable to pay basic bills our residents are experiencing at first hand the cost-of-living crisis.

A number of councils across the UK have already declared an emergency and North East Lincolnshire must do the same. 

We should show that, in these most challenging of times, this council is on the side of all of our residents who may find themselves struggling through a crisis not of their making.

This council resolves to:

• Declare a cost of living emergency, making appropriate communication needed to include local media.

• Write to both the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities as well as the Local Government Association confirming this council’s declaration regarding the cost-of-living crisis (and calling for a national emergency to be declared).

• Task each council cabinet portfolio holder to investigate where appropriate within their own portfolios as to what incentives they can deliver to ease the crisis.

• Establish a scrutiny select committee with a brief to investigate and report back to full council the local effect of the crisis and the impact this will have on our communities, with recommendations for each portfolio holder therein.

• Require the leader of the council to provide updates.

                                             

Cllr Kathryn Wheatley

Photographic ID will be required when voters head for the polling booths at next May's local elections

                                                                            

Concerns that voter turnout will be reduced by proposed change

AN important change is in prospect for the voting procedure at forthcoming council and parliamentary elections in North East Lincolnshire.

As elsewhere in the UK, voters will be required  to produce an accepted form of photographic ID before they will be issued with a ballot paper.

The Government is determined to press ahead with this initiative despite protests that it is likely to reduce voter turn-out to the detriment of democracy.

The change is due to come into force at  next May's local elections.

How better to blow away the (icy) cobwebs than with a refreshing canter on Cleethorpes beach?

These riders weren't letting the icy conditions put them off a ride on Cleethorpes beach late-morning today. Earlier in the day, Haverstoe Park remained locked  for reasons unknown while, at the nearby country park, a moorhen scampered across the ice and gulls decided to huddle together for warmth. 

 

Cement-handling project likely to bring three giant silos - and 10 jobs - to Immingham dockside

Not things of beauty, but the three silos will bring job opportunities 

UP to 10 jobs could be created at Immingham Dock when a proposed new plant is set up to import, handle and distribute cement powder. 

It will be stored in three giant silos on the side of the dock. 

ABP is always exploring new opportunities to expand its cargo-handling infrastructure. 

The site is not far from over-wintering habitats for curlews, godwits and other wading birds, but the company is confident that they will not be unuduly affected by the noise from piling in  advance of the silos being erected.

Says ABP's Sustainable Development Manager,Tom Jeynes: "The noise generated from percussive piling will be limited in force and volume and will attenuate to an extent where, on the adjacent mudflats, where the birds feed, it will be indistinguishable from existing ambient noise levels. 

"Given the nature of the pile-driving process (short bursts of activity over a period of time), and actual percussive driving time likely to be in the region of about 20-30 minutes each, it would be difficult to ascertain any kind of environmental effect that would be detectable beyond natural variation."

It is not known if Natural England was consulted on the proposal, but in the absence of any submissions from the wildlife watchdog, North East Lincolnshire Council has raised no objection.

                                             

ABP says curlews are unlikely to be disturbed by the noise of piling

Where better to spend the festive season than on top of a pillar box outside a shop in Cleethorpes?

                        

A touch of whimsy has been added to this pillar pox outside the post office and Spar shop on Hardys Road in Cleethorpes. The festive characters have even been provided with their own patch of snow.  

Mayor's delight as 'Great Wall of Grimsby' art project celebrates heritage of town

A 'highlight' of mayoral year - Cllr Beasant with those involved 

TOWN artists were joined by North East Lincolnshire’s Mayor, Cllr Steve Beasant, for this week's official 'unveiling' of a magnificent new mural depicting cherished scenes in Grimsby.

The Great Wall of Grimsby, which can be found on the Needham’s Butchers building in Garibaldi Street, includes meticulously detailed characters, shopfronts, buildings and lost landmarks.

Artist Dale Mackie designed the new mural which was painted over several months by Sam Delaney and scores of volunteers from the arts group Creative Start CIC.

"This is  absolutely amazing,"enthused the Mayor. "This is really celebrating the heritage of the town. It means so much to me. It’s one of the highlights of my mayoral year.

"My sincere thanks to all those who participated."

Doesn't it look grand? All eyes on the mural

Crown Estate signals support for 'East Atlantic Flyway' designation as a Natural World Heritage Site

 

High hopes for UNESCO heritage status

THE Crown Estate is backing plans for a long stretch of England's East Coast, including the Cleethorpes-to-Humberston strip, to be a designated a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

As main landowner, the Estate's support is essential to the application which is being spearhead by the RSPB.

One of its aims is both to showcase and safeguard millions of shorebirds that spend spring, autumn and winter feeding here before migrating to the Arctic tundra to breed .

Most coastal authorities, including Lincolnshire County Council, are also on board with the project, and North East Lincolnshire Council is expected to be supportive at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

If rubber-stamped by UNESCO, the name of the heritage site would be: East Atlantic Flyway - England East Coast Wetlands.

Says Olivia Thomas, head of marine planning at the Crown Estate: "The nomination of the English East Coast as a Natural World Heritage Site presents a fantastic opportunity to recognise the value of this coastline, for its variety of coastal environments, diverse habitats creatures and and dynamic seascapes. 

"We recognise that it is important to understand how the world’s coastlines can adapt in response to the threats posed by sea level rise and climate change. 

"We also recognise the need to support net zero targets and help to counter the threats through careful and sensitive development of green energy. 

She continues: "We would welcome the opportunity to work with the RSPB and other proposal partners to assess any developing nomination in detail, considering how best to balance the international importance of the area alongside other policy drivers such as the transition to net zero. 

"We are, therefore, pleased to offer our support for this proposal, as part of the partnership of a variety of key coastal stakeholders and explore further the shape and refinement of the proposition over the coming years." 

The Crown Estate manages the seabed and around half of the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work alongside industry and stakeholders to unlock its potential. 

Signficantly, it awards seabed rights for offshore windfarms, not just the turbines but also the cabling and other infrastructure.

The organisation is obviously aware of the tensions between offshore energy and safeguarding birds and other marine life.

However, it says it is committed to develop a leading role in stewarding the UK’s marine environment, wherever necessary convening relevant organisations to "broaden our understanding of what is required to ensure a resilient marine environment that supports sustainable development".

The stretch of coast identified is said to be comparable in size to the Getbol South Korean Tidal Flats (South Korea) and a coastal strip in China which haave alslo been designated for similar status.

It is not yet known when the East Atlantic Flyway application will be determined.

                                               

Godwits and knot feeding on the shoreline in Cleethorpes