'We will not back down to bullies' insists Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue in anguished end-of-year statement

                                       

          

The year has ended on a controversial note for  Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue. Its committee has felt compelled to put out a statement condemning the social media activities of an individual who has not been named.  It says these have risked  damaging both the organisation's reputation and its relationships with supporters, including veterinary practices and its bank. The statement, in shortened version, reads as follows:

"We wish to clear up slanderous, egregious, and detrimental statements that have been  posted online about our rescue work and our volunteers.

"It has been suggested by a past volunteer that funds donated to our rescue were being spent in a fraudulent manner and that people should cancel their support with immediate effect. 

"This had a huge impact on our work, both financially and in terms of public backlash. 

"As a result of the allegations, there were investigations both  by Humberside Police Fraud Team and the Barclays Counter Fraud Team. 

"Following the inquiries, our transactions were show to be legitimate. Both investigations were subsequently closed.

"Although the findings of the investigations have been relayed to those responsible for posting the false statements, they have continued  to publish false accusations online in an attempt to cause  harm." 

The statement continues:

"During the process of the investigations, veterinary practices and other rescue services across the area started to receive phone calls demanding they stop working with us or providing any care to animals we brought to them. 

"This meant that, for a short period, we had to cease all rescue operations. 

"Without vets or support facilities, it was not ethical to continue accepting injured wildlife into our care. 

"Thankfully, after discussing the situation with the veterinary practices - and a lot of trust-building -  we were able to get back access to the veterinary care required for wildlife rehabilitation. 

"We also worked closely with other rescues to assure them that the allegations made were unfounded." 

The statement adds that CWR - its volunteers, their homes and the organisation's rescue vehicle - have been subject to violence, harassment, aggression and arson.

It ends: "Our volunteers - all of them - are fantastic! 

"Our  committee members have been nothing but supportive, as have been vets and sister rescue services." 

 "We will not back down to bullies, we will not lose ourselves and we will never jeopardise our care for wildlife because someone wishes to sabotage us with slanderous and false claims. 

"Our work will continue."

A van owned by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue is said to have been  damaged on more than one occasion during the year

Why no takers for the land and premises once occupied by a popular Cleethorpes attraction?

 

One of the mysteries of 2023 is why there seems to have been scant interest in the Cleethorpes premises once occupied by The Jungle Zoo - a popular attraction until it closed after seemingly never having recovered from the pandemic and its aftermath. Even if no one has the appetite to relaunch a small zoo or collection of exotic birds, the site surely has excellent commercial potential. It sits between the boating lake and a car park which is busy in summer and at weekends all through the year so there  is plenty of footfall. On the other side of Kings Road is the Meridian point retail park. In total, the site occupies just under half-an-acre. Agents PPH say  the property would "readily adapt to a variety of alternative uses, subject to consent". The land is said to be available to let "by negotiation".

Animal welfare activists seek intervention by Michael Gove in rumpus over Cleethorpes salmon project

                                           

Rich in wildflowers and butterflies - the site earmarked for the controversial development

FRESH controversy has blown up over the salmon-rearing factory proposed for Cleethorpes.

The campaigning organisation, Animal Equality UK,  says North East Lincolnshire Council was irresponsible in granting planning consent without first having ordered an Environmental Impact Assessment on what is a designated Local Wildlife Site.

Now it has asked Levelling-up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove to intervene on the basis that the consent granted at a planning meeting on November 29 was flawed.

Given that the 12-hectare scrubland site - which is located between Blundell Park and the Humber estuary wall - is known to be rich in wildflower and butterfly species, it raised eyebrows  that NELC did not insist on a preliminary eco-assessment.

By contrast, the  council's planning department chose to disregard a letter from Natural England which stated: "It is Natural England’s advice that there are potential likely significant effects on a statutorily designated nature conservation site, and further assessment is required."

Whatever the response of Mr Gove's department, the firm, Aquacultured Seafood Ltd, is likely to press ahead with the project which promises to create 80 jobs and supply 5,000 tonnes per annum of "nutritious and responsibly farmed" salmon per annum.

But any new whiff of uncertainty over the scheme will not help ASL in its ongoing quest to persuade financial backers to stump up the estimated £75-million needed to fund the venture.

* See also: https://grimsbypost.blogspot.com

                                       

Abigail Penny, of Animal Equality, and fish  expert Dr Mark Borthwick both spoke against the project at a November 29 planning meeting held in Grimsby Town Hall  

Family were not going to let a bit of mud - actually quite a lot of mud - hinder their saltmarsh crossing

This could pose a bit of a challenge - the mud looks thick  

Crossing Cleethorpes saltmarsh on foot is never to be recommended - especially on the morning after a night of heavy rain.

But it can be done - as this resourceful family (and dog) demonstrated this morning.

A slight detour around the thickest of the mud and they were soon back (thankfully) on dry land.

If we hold each other tight, we should be OK (though Rover, not his real name, is not so sure)

Come on! Let's just go for it

No, it's too treacherous - we'll have to turn back

Relief! Another route opens up, and they're back on their way 

 

A 'grand old lady' of the Grimsby street scene - will someone 'rescue' this special building in 2024?

Such a superb building - but a buyer remains awaited

 

WHAT future the Welholme Galleries building in Grimsby?

The Grade II Listed building's use as a gallery and, before that, as a United Reformed Church have long since ceased, and it has stood empty for many years.

It is on the market for £125,000 which, though repairs are required,  seems not excessive given its historical and architectural status.

The property is of traditional solid brick and stone construction beneath a series of pitched slate roofs with ornate windows and various period features, both internally and externally.

Could it once again become a church - or perhaps even a mosque? Could it be converted to offices or maybe to apartments? Or even a restaurant?

More details are available from the Grimsby office of the selling agent, PPH.

The magnificent interior of a building that time seems to have forgotten

Second bite of the cherry - planners to take fresh look at proposal for new Waltham junior school

                                                   

Artist's impression of the new primary school proposed for Waltham

WILL planners give the go-ahead for a new primary school in Waltham?

When an application for the development on land off Sunningdale came before North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee last month, it was deferred by 10 votes to one after it emerged that insufficient attention had been given to potential inconvenience to residents as the result of  likely traffic congestion.

In a surprise outburst, ward councillor Philip Jackson accused the highways department of being "dismissive" of local concerns.

"Not for the first time, their response has been totally inadequate," he declared. "It has been an insult to residents.

"There are severe traffic problems that need to be addressed."

However, a different perspective came from head of planning Martin Dixon who maintained the location was right because it was "at the heart of the community which it serves".

But the overwhelming of the committee was that greater efforts should be made by officers to design out potential traffic issues rather than accepting them as an inevitable consequence of the proposal.

The extent to which these concerns have been addressed by the highways department will become apparent at NELC's next planning meeting on January 3.

As at the November meeting, the  application is being recommended for approval.

Scheme to build five houses on land behind shops has not gone down well with some in Cleethorpes

The line of shops, eateries  and other businesses on Middlethorpe Road

                                                              

A PROPOSAL to build a terrace of five two-storey houses on land behind a group of shops in Cleethorpes has sparked protests.

Humberston man Jaswinder Dhallai has earmarked a potholed car park behind the popular shops on Middlethorpe Road for the development.

But some neighbours insist the site is important for parking by shop staff and for service vehicles and deliveries.

Although there is a car park at the front of the premises, they doubt whether it has the capacity to accommodate extra vehicles.

Mr Dhallai's  application is currently  under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department with a decision unlikely much before Easter. 

Behind the shops is the site where the Humberston man would like to build the terrace of two-storey houses

Chicken city! Proposed poultry project in Grimsby-area village could house up to 64,000 laying hens

                                                          

Population of humans in Healing could be outstripped by egg-laying hens if project is approved 

AS many as 64,000 egg-laying hens could be housed on farmland outside Healing if planners give the green light at a meeting early next month.

Sir Richard Sutton Estates have applied  to build a giant poultry unit on land at Wells Farm off Wells Road on the outskirts of the village as an 'agricultural diversification initiative'. 

Say the agents: "The building would be subdivided into four bird housing sections, together with a central area for egg packing and storage. 

"The central packing area would include an automated egg packer and an egg storage area. 

"The proposed bird housing areas include a multi-tier system, which includes rows of tiered perches, which are situated over manure belts. 

"The designated bird areas include automated chain feeders and non-drip nipple drinkers.  

"Following laying, the eggs roll from the nest box on to the conveyor which delivers them to the packing area."

What about the welfare and happiness of the hens?

Computer-controlled ventilation fans would be installed and 'pop holes', automatically-operated between 8am and dusk, would provide the birds with free access to an external pasture surrounded by trees.

Here they would be able to scratch for insects and stretch their legs and wings. 

The report continues: "The use of the development will be for the accommodation of free-range laying hens. 

"The proposed development will operate in accordance with the British Egg Industry Councils Lion Code of Practice and in accordance with the RSPCA Freedom Foods charter.  

"The birds would be purchased at point of lay (17 weeks) and delivered to the site. 

"The birds would be  accommodated within the free-range egg unit for 70 weeks, following which they are to be removed and replaced." 

If approved, the operation will require will require four  full-time staff  as well as generating work for delivery drivers.

The site will also require quarterly visits from both vets and farm assurance inspectors.  

There have been several objections from residents who have raised concerns about:

* Traffic generation and HGV movements

* Highway safety along Wells road due to the width of road and speed of traffic

* Highway safety on Wells Road due to the proposed access

* Odour and noise 

* Landscape and character of the area

* Drainage and flood risk

* Pollution

However, at a meeting on  January 3 of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning meeting, members will be advised to approve the project.

Says case officer Richard Limmer: "It is considered that there would not be a detrimental impact on neighbours’ amenities, the visual character of the area, ecology, highway safety and amenity, heritage and biodiversity. 

"It is therefore recommended that the application is approved."

'The Margate of the Lincolnshire Coast' - recalling a momentous event in August 150 years ago

 

As the 150th anniversary year of Cleethorpes Pier draws to a close, we look at how its opening was reported by the Press  on August 5, 1873. The report below is from the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer of that date.

OPENING OF CLEETHORPES PIER 

This event, which has long been looked forward with a vast amount of pleasurable interest by the inhabitants of the rising little watering-place, Cleethorpes, deservedly named the Margate of the Lincolnshire coast, took place, amidst much ceremony and rejoicing, yesterday. 

The weather in the early part of the day was gloomy, but as the afternoon advanced the sun shone out resplendently, and the sands and pier presented quite a festive appearance. 

The little village was completely deluged with flags and banners, while the cheap excursion trains from the West Riding and midland counties brought thousands of visitors, who, on this the last Bank holiday before Christmas, were afforded opportunity of spending a day in the country. 

All along the extensive beach and the marine promenades crowded the delighted trippers in holiday costume, while bathing, boating, and many other amusements were entered into with a gusto peculiar to the dwellers in towns when they find themselves transplanted to the seaside. 

The new pier, which is a light and elegant structure supported iron pillars, was commenced by a limited liability company in December last from designs by Messrs J. E. & A. Doweon, engineers, of London, the contractors being Messrs Head, Wrightson. & Co., of Stockton on-Tees.

 It is 400 yards length by 20ft. in width, and, at the end is a platform, 120ft. long by 85ft. broad, with steps descending to the water for the accommodation of passengers. 

The opening ceremony took place at two o'clock, when speeches were delivered by Grant Thorold, the chairman, and Mr E. Bannister, the vice-chairman of the company, who spoke in complimentary terms the manner in which the work had been carried out, and of the great progress which the watering place had made during the past few years, which this new structure was calculated materially to enhance. 

Cheers were given for the company, and subsequently there were some very interesting trials with the Cleethorpes lifeboat, followed by series of rowing matches and aquatic sports.

A band music played a selection of music on the platform, and dancing was freely indulged in by the young people present. 

The day was thoroughly enjoyable one, and the event, it is hoped, marks much future advantage for this favourite resort. 

                                     

Controversy over proposed part-conversion of terraced house in Grimsby to Chinese herbal clinic

The property in Wellington Street - not everyone is happy with the proposed conversion

A CHINESE herbal clinic could be opening in  Grimsby in the New Year.

Rather than using the synthetically-manufactured drugs favoured in western medicine, the traditional Chinese herbal approach is to make use of flowers, leaves, stalks, seeds and roots, often administered as powers, fluids or capsules.

There is also an emphasis on treating the whole body - so as to strengthen its defence system  -   rather than focusing on individual symptoms.

In the west, doctors have tended to be dismissive of the traditional approach because scientific data about its efficacy is scant.

But the Chinese (and other Asian countries) have been practising it for thousands of years so who is to be certain that it does not work - perhaps where conventional therapies have failed?

The site of the proposed clinic is 338 Wellington Street where Mrs  Yumi Au Yang intends to conduct her business.

At present it is a house, but she has applied to North East Lincolnshire Council for planning consent to change the use of the ground floor.

However, Mrs Au Yang's proposal has met with objections, partly a reflection of antisocial behaviour that is said to have been occurring around the property.

Some of the activity has prompted complaints to the police, the fire brigade and the council. 

Among the objectors is the proprietor of the pharmacy next door.  

The application will be determined, probably by a case officer under delegated powers, either next month or in February.

If consent is granted, it is not known if acupuncture will be among the services offered.

Council leader's message to residents: Rome was not built in a day - but 2024 will be year of achievement

 

Cllr Jackson - 'determination' is the key

As he reflects on the challenges and opportunities both of the past 12 months and of the year ahead, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, has sounded an upbeat note in his seasonal message to residents. Here are his words.

The past year has been one of  opportunity and challenge across North East Lincolnshire, and, as  Leader of the council, I look forward to  2024 with optimism.

The last 12 months have presented many turning points for us as a local authority, all of which are set to have a positive effect on the communities within which we live and work.

The saying goes that Rome was not built in a day, and those words can certainly be applied when you look at the months of hard work, and dedication that have - and still are - being put into transformational change throughout the borough.

For almost all of 2023, and during the preceding year, this authority has been challenged with looking at how change can - and will - happen for our people and our place. Neither  can grow and thrive without the support of the other.

For our ‘place’ we were given the confidence in our ability to achieve great progress by Whitehall decisions to award us grants totalling millions of pounds.

The investment will help us to transform our urban heartlands in Grimsby and the resort of Cleethorpes.

And for our ‘people’, my colleagues and I are acutely aware of our need to invest in our young people and to support the restructure of our Children’s Services team. 

As 2023 ends, we see how that team is now hugely improved and this has been recognised in the most recent Ofsted visit.

There remains a long journey ahead, and we know that challenge remains, but it is a journey we remain determined to continue. 

We will do everything within our power to ensure our cared for children are supported in the best way possible.

Then there is our ‘wider place’. North East Lincolnshire is a determined place with determined people.

But we are a small unitary authority. To achieve the best for everyone, I believe we will be stronger if we unite with neighbouring authorities - we need to be a collective voice if we are to be heard on the national stage.

That is where the proposed Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal comes into its own.

It is a deal that I believe is the right one for North East Lincolnshire - and I say that not just as a political leader but as a resident with family and friends who live and work in the area.

This proposal does not put at risk this borough’s unique identity - indeed our council will remain the same. 

What it does give us, however, is the powers and money to unite with our fellow Greater Lincolnshire colleagues to make decisions at a local level about things that will make a positive difference to local people.

All told, it has been an extremely busy year for everyone, and that will continue as our pace of change goes on. 

I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, and to our residents, too

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

                                      

Skyline of the Italian capital - photo: Nicholas Hartmann/ Wikimedia Commons

How the mighty are fallen - speedy response from council teams as Storm Pia brings trees to the ground

 

WORKMEN at North East Lincolnshire Council have been praised for their prompt response to damage caused by Storm Pia.

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport: "I commend our crews for their services during the adverse weather conditions."

During the course of today, three teams attempted many incidents where fallen trees or branches were affecting roads.

Among the locations were:

* Ferriby Lane, Grimsby 

* Woodrow Park, Grimsby   

* Station Road, Healing  

* Barton Street A18

* Park Street, Grimsby

* Welholme Road, Grimsby 

The strong winds are set to last until the New Year with gusts of over 40mph and a yellow weather warning currently in place.

Saturday is forecast to be particularly severe.

* Pictured above and below is the A18 incident at Main Road roundabout near Barnoldy-le-Beck and Ashby Hill roundabout

                

Light at the end of a long tunnel? Renovation scheme for historic ice factory - and a new hotel next door?

Hope springs eternal! Could a new chapter soon open for derelict heritage building?

COULD the derelict ice factory on Grimsby Docks be refurbished and converted to a conference centre, offices, a 'leisure space' and possibly a restaurant?

This has emerged as a possibility for the Grade II Listed heritage building which has been in a sorry state for many decades.

However, such a project would hinge on successful construction and operation on adjacent land of a proposed  161-bedroom hotel - to be known as The Grimsby Kasbah Hotel - for which a planning application has just been submitted by London-based developers KH 1900 Ltd.

The entrepreneur driving the initiative is understood to be Tom Shutes who was formerly part of the consortium that sought to buy Grimsby Town FC from John Fenty.  

A note from Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd welcomes the proposal as "a catalyst for further development and business in the area", but cautions on conflict with existing traffic movements and hopes there will not be complaints from hotel guests and others about "fish odours".

Also supportive are Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council's heritage officer, Louise Jennings, who notes: "The proposals will retain enough machinery to ensure a coherent story of how the factory worked as part of the end to end ice making process."

Both the ice factory renovation and construction of the hotel will be recommended for  approval at a North East Lincolnshire Council planning meeting on January 3.

Says senior case officer Chery Jarvis: "This proposal represents an exciting and important investment in one of Grimsby's key historic which  has been in a deteriorating condition for many years and remains at serious risk should no action be taken.

"The applicants have worked extensively with key heritage bodies and others to propose a scheme which is both respectful and sympathetic to the heritage significance of the building, but equally one which can function and be successfully delivered."

 * Below are early indications of how the developed site might look based on illustrations submitted to the council by Jon Lowe Heritage.

Just weeks after approving destruction of woodland, council pledges to . . . protect trees and woodland

Proposed council policy has probably come too late to save this woodland off Hewitts Avenue from being felled to make way for a holiday park

JUST weeks after its planning committee rubber-stamped the destruction of a woodland on the outskirts of Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet will today discuss how to . . . protect woodland from destruction.

Members are being recommended to approve a Tree Strategy policy which states: "Healthy trees and woodlands will be protected, retained and managed to ensure healthy growth, development and species diversity. 

"No tree will be felled or pruned without good reason."

It continues: "The council will engage with partners, the public and other landowners to raise awareness of tree protection, maintenance, planting and establishment of best practice."

The strategy has been drawn up in response to a national survey which revealed that tree canopy is lower in North East Lincolnshire than anywhere in England - which itself has far fewer trees  than almost any other European country.

The five least green and leafy wards in the borough are said to be:

* East Marsh

* West Marsh 

* Sidney Sussex

* Immingham

* Croft Baker 

A report to this evening's meeting further states that children and young people should be involved both with  plant trees and in helping to look after them.

It goes on: "Increasing our tree canopy cover and maintaining our existing trees has the potential to have positive implications for  carbon capture and storage, reducing surface water flooding, for providing shade to  buildings, people and livestock,  for enhancing our parks and open spaces and for providing increased biodiversity. 

It is also widely documented that an environment with trees improves physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

"Trees in the landscape provide an economic advantage in terms of producing a high quality of environment attractive to potential developers, businesses, and residents."

What's not to like? 

The report acknowledges that,  for some people, trees have "negative consequences", and the council will need to be prepared for adverse reactions.

It also reveals that it has no current proposals for any major tree projects.

                                      

The Grimsby News says: It is encouraging that NELC is prepared to adopt a strategy aimed at both safeguarding existing trees and planting many more. But fine words butter no parsnips. There may be a 'strategy' but there is no action plan. What is more, as we saw last month, thoughtless decisions made by the council's  planners mean that the borough's trees, even whole woodlands,  are likely to remain highly vulnerable for the foreseeable future

* More stories that you may have missed at our sister title

https://grimsbypost.blogspot.com

Random check on six taxis operating in and around Grimsby reveals licensing breaches

Cllr Shepherd - 'important that standards are of the highest'

A SPOT check on six taxis operating in the Grimsby area revealed serious abuses. 

A report states: "North East Lincolnshire Council’s licensing team and Humberside Police have carried out a joint operation, spot checking six random taxis.

"Drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.

"Licensing teams checked all drivers and general condition of the vehicles while Humberside 

"Police checked the vehicles condition, tyres, and lights. The following issues were found during the inspections on the evening of Sunday, 17 December:

• One vehicle was immediately suspended for having a tyre below the legal tread depth limit and the door signs were mounted on magnets
• One vehicle had accident damage
• One was very unclean and the taxi roof light was not working
• One had a broken light, although it was intact and working

"The council’s licensing team are responsible for issuing licenses to new and continuing taxi drivers, and carry out extensive checks on the vehicles to ensure that they are roadworthy and meet the required standards.

"Throughout the year, the team carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that these standards are being kept to."

Says Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities: "It is important that the standards of our taxis are the highest that they can be and that they are safe for local residents. 

"This work is about making sure these standards are being adhered to.

"I am I’m pleased to say that the majority of drivers do uphold these standards, and I thank them for that. 

"On this occasion, drivers have been spoken to and the issues will be monitored until they are resolved."