Trees and shrubs in jeopardy as council confirms 'entertainments venue' plan for Pier Gardens

                                               

An uncertain future awaits many of the trees and shrubs in Pier Gardens

IT looks increasingly likely that  dozens of trees and shrubs in Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes, risk being sacrificed in order to create space for entertainments and markets.

Although nothing has been said about loss of greenery,  the proposal for an "entertainments and markets" venue was confirmed today by North East Lincolnshire Council.

It has appointed the consultancy, WSP, to draw up some plans.

The NELC statement claims: "Local residents and businesses want to see the gardens changed and refreshed to include activities."

The intention is for the project to be financed by some £5-million Levelling-up monies from Whitehall.

Says NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "The scope for re-development is vast. 

"The area for regeneration presents a unique opportunity to create a space that will become an attraction for residents and visitors alike. 

"It is an underutilised gem of a space that could offer so much more."

WSP has recently completed projects in Swansea, Lowestoft and Blackburn.

It claims to have a track record of working with coastal communities in delivering projects that change how people feel about spaces in their towns.

Anson Forrester, of WSP, says: "We can’t wait to get going on this project. 

"Cleethorpes is a fabulous resort and can only be enhanced by the work in the gardens. 

"We will be looking for input from local people in to take the works from concept to final design."

A  drop-in session at Cleethorpes Town Hall between 12 noon and 7pm on February 29 will allow residents to learn more about the proposals and express their views.

The Grimsby News says: Has NELC not learnt the recent lessons from Plymouth and Sheffield where, understandably, residents were incandescent with rage when their councils took the chainsaw to  much valued trees and shrubs? For all its 140-year life, Pier Gardens has been a  place where nature and tranquillity have prevailed, a place where robins, wrens and goldfinches sing. Doubtless, the spot could be enhanced and enriched with creative planting and water features - but not by replacing greenery  with concrete and steel. Far better, surely, to keep the site just as envisaged by our thoughtful Victorian forebears.

Bring on the entertainment! Is this what lies in store for the gardens?