Dog ban? What dog ban? Central beach transformed into Easter Sunday playground for canines

Let's get chasing! Hound in pursuit on central beach 

A SEASONAL by-law designed to prevent Cleethorpes beach-users of nervous disposition from being pestered by dogs was today being widely flouted.

The summer ban which started on Good Friday is also aimed both at reducing fouling of the sands and disturbance to shorebirds, such as knot, dunlin and oystercatchers, which feed near the tideline.

But canines - sometimes up to 20 at a time - were conspicuous on central beach throughout Easter Sunday.

If apprehended, dog-owners who disregard the ban face the prospect of a substantial fixed penalty fine, but, at least today, this  was not proving the slightest deterrent.

Cleethorpes resort team officers set to work on installing the signage on Good Friday

The sign couldn't be clearer . . .

 . .  . or perhaps it could be clearer

Either the dog or its owner didn't heed the message

Much of the brickwork at blaze-damaged Cleethorpes church is in seriously cracked condition

The fine Methodist church was extensively damaged by fire last October

                  

A SPECIALIST inspection of the fire-damaged Beaconthorpe in Cleethorpes has revealed extensive and severe cracking to much of the brickwork. 

In addition,  the stone framing of at least one of the arched windows is severely displaced and likely to fall in if not removed. 

It is likely that a planning application for emergency repairs will be fast-tracked by North East Lincolnshire so that  the building - what remains of it - can be stabilised pending full-scale renovation.

The blaze that almost destroyed the church, which dates back to 1914, occurred in October last year.

It is understood that the building, which has not been used for worship for many years. was not insured and that the Methodist Church, which still own it,  is likely to foot the repair bill.

Meanwhile, planning consent remains for change of use of  the building to apartments.

The church dates back to 1914 

MP warns that proposed 87-mile pylon route will be 'detrimental' to agriculture, tourism and wildlife

 

Pylons are already a feature in some parts of North East Lincolnshire including New Waltham where these are located. They have sometimes been likened to 'giant naked humans'. 

A LINCOLNSHIRE MP has weighed into the rumpus over a proposed 87-miles stretch of pylons and overhead electricity cables that National Grid wish to instal from Grimsby through Lincolnshire to North Norfolk.

Earlier in the month, Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) raised his concerns in the Commons, and now, following meetings with constituents, his Conservative colleague, Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness), has decided to chip in.

The Grimsby News has today seen a copy of the letter of concern Mr Warman has sent to National Grid.

In it , he he warns of the potential damage to agriculture from the pylons which he claims would be a threat to the nation's food security.                                             

Matt Warman - 'transparency is vital'

He further states that tourism - worth an estimated £2.6-billion annually to Greater Lincolnshire - risked being undermined.

The third plank of his protest is that 'industrialisation' of the rural landscape could have a detrimental impact on wildlife, particularly night-migrating birds which might crash into the cables with fatal consequences.

Mr Warman also expresses disappointment that National Grid has so far withheld  detailed analysis of the cost of the two alternatives to pylons, namely burying the cables underground or laying them on the seabed.

"Transparency is vital if communities are to have any trust in the the decision-making process," he says.

National Grid is currently evaluating all the representations after which it is expected to issue further information.

The giant route proposed for the giant pylons

* Below: The MP's letter to the National Grid. 

New extension has 'elle' of a good view over Cleethorpes promenade and Humber Estuary

Elles is likely to be a popular destination when, eventually, its gets its licence 

 

HERE'S  hoping that the impressive 'observatory' extension above Jades ice cream parlour on Central Promenade, Cleethorpes might soon be open for business.

Shortly before Christmas, an application was submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council for a licence allowing it to serve alcoholic drinks. 

What happened to that application is not known, but NELC confirmed earlier this week that a revised application had been submitted. 

All being well that will be determined soon, so  that Elles - the proposed name - can be welcoming its first customers later this spring.

Who knows, perhaps a celebrity - maybe Taylor Swift, Boris Johnson or a star from TV's Love Island - might cut the ribbon?

Good luck to licence applicant Mr Terence Proctor with his enterprise.

Council turns down application for commercial dog-exercising venture in leafy Grimsby-area village

The proposed dog-walking area would be off Bradley Road 

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a dog-exercising enterprise on the outskirts of Bradley has today been turned down by North East Lincolnshire Council.

The proposal was for a 3.7-acre parcel of agricultural grassland, at Netherwood Dairy, off Bradley Road to be "for the purpose of dog-walking in a pleasant and secure environment".

Hours of operation would have been  9am to 6pm, with 30-minute slots per customers and a maximum of 10 dogs - on a lead - at any one time.

Although, the project was supported by some, others expressed concern that the noise of the animals - and that of their owners' verbal commands - plus possible smell nuisance, might blight their lives. 

One objector expressed outrage at the prospect of "dogs barking, with their owners shouting and whistling from dawn to dusk".

Another complained that, while it may be 'a joy' for dog owners to hear their dogs barking while chasing a stick or ball, it would  "noise pollution for everyone else forced to suffer it".

However, NELC's ecology unit raised no objection, noting that the project might ease the ease pressure on wildlife from dogs being walked in nearby Bradley  and Dixon Woods. 

The application did not go before the council's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by a case officer.

Says her notice of refusal: "The proposal involves changing the use of existing arable land to a dog walking facility. 

The proposal includes 1.8 metre-high perimeter fencing around the land with a secure access gate positioned next to the proposed car park, with lighting, CCTV and a rain shelter.

"It is considered that such a fence surrounding the 1.6-hectare land would appear alien in this location, especially when combined with the car parking and lighting. 

"The character and appearance of the area is rural and agricultural in nature, with a variety of landscaping and grassed land in the vicinity. 

"Structures which 'formalise' the use of this land would be detrimental to the openness and character of the countryside."

Will Cleethorpes tennis courts disposal mark start of bumper sell-off of council land and property?

An uncertain future beckons for this tennis courts site off Brereton Avenue as council prepares way for its disposal 

 

IT looks like game, set and match for the seven tennis courts at the Sussex Recreation Ground off Brereton Avenue in Cleethorpes.

North East Lincolnshire Council has revealed its intention to dispose of the 0.4-acre plot of open space where many a resident sought to improve backhand, service and drop volley.

No details have been released of the potential buyer, nor the potential use for the site nor how much the proposed deal is worth.

With its coffers depleted, it is thought the council is ready to consider offers for other assets within its vast portfolio of land and properties.

                               

Grand old Humberston tree saved from deadly appointment with tree surgeon's chainsaw

 

Reprieved !  Humberston's long-lived Monterey Cypress is a native of California

A MONTEREY  Cypress tree that may have been planted to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 has been spared the chop. 

An application had been made for a tree preservation order to be lifted, thereby preparing the way for the tree on Queen Elizabeth Road to be felled.

The applicant claimed that other street residents had complained of faeces from birds that sometimes perch on the branches.

He further claimed that the trees roots posed a threat to the property in the front garden of which the tree grows.

But North East Lincolnshire Council's trees and woodlands officer was unpersuaded by the arguments and has refused to lift the preservation order.

In his report, he states: "The Monterey cypress tree is a healthy specimen and  of amenity value due to its location adjacent to the adopted highway of Queen Elizabeth Roadd being close to the junction with Church Avenue, Humberston. 

"Queen Elizabeth Road is an arterial route that serves dwellings on the surrounding streets.

"Felling of this tree would be  an extreme solution at the present time as previous canopy reduction works have established that other forms of tree management are viable to alleviate many if not all of the arguments  for felling."

The applicant has the right of appeal to an independent inspector.

Waggy-tailed and wonderful - the community of canines on the outskirts of Waltham

Contented canines - as depicted in the Facebook pages of In the Doghouse 

                                                                    

RETROSPECTIVE planning permission is being sought to regularise an established dog-care business in Waltham.

The project at Summerfields, which is located on a private lane off Louth Road, covers the spectrum - day care, boarding, grooming, breeding and exercising in a paddock.

The operators of the business - known as In the Doghouse - already hold a North East Lincolnshire Council licence for up to eight animals.

They state: "We do not accept any large dogs or bully breeds - nor any with excess barking, howling or separation anxiety issues. 

"Should any new dogs be accepted they come for an initial meet-and-greet with ourselves.

"We do not take dogs on an ad hoc basis as we feel this is not suitable for  our environment." 

The applicants add: "The dogs currently on our books mainly consist of small to medium-sized dogs such as cockapoos, cocker spaniels and Lhasa Apso. 

"We have one larger dog, a Weimaraner, that attends three times a week.

"Any boarding dogs reside in our house - we do not have any kennels."

The application is supported by a noise impact assessment report indicating that there is unlikely to be nuisance to neighbours.

It is understood there have been no objections from residents.

Unusual lamps and lights shop likely to become residential bungalow if planners give go-ahead

 

Past, present and prospect customers of Humberston Lighting should perhaps make any purchases sooner rather than later. The unusual shop on Church Avenue might not be here for too much longer because a planning application has been submitted for its change of use from a shop to a single-storey house. The proposal is expected to be determined by North East Lincolnshire Council later this spring.

Council's touching plea on behalf of Cleethorpes shorebirds: 'Beach is their home - we are the visitors'

 

Shorebirds, such as knot and oystercatcher, seen here on central beach just after high tide 

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has today put out an unexpected - but welcome - plea on behalf of the birds and other wildlife that live within its jurisdiction:

"The Easter holidays are almost upon us and everyone is gearing up for the start of the season in Cleethorpes.

"From enjoying a wander along the prom to sighting some of nature’s most beautiful birds along the saltmarsh.

"With its sand dunes, saltmarsh and tidal mud flats, Cleethorpes is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest  and provides vital habitat for hundreds of thousands of wading birds, rare plants and sea life. 

"Always keep a safe distance away and do not disturb. 

"Remember this is their habitat, their home and we are the visitors." 

The appeal concludes: "If you have concerns for an animal or bird’s health or safety, you can report it to the resort management team on 01472 323356."

It looks like a case of arson - Range Rover car destroyed in Humberston weekend blaze

                     

Unless it was a case of spontaneous combustion, it looks as though there might have been some serious misbehaviour at the lower end of South Sea Lane in Humberston on Saturday night. Chances are that there is now some footage - which the police might like to see - of the blaze which almost totally destroyed this Range Rover. The wreckage was removed by noon on Sunday, leaving a patch of charred land.  

                                                         

Council's Cleethorpes outdoor market plea to all butchers, bakers and candlestick makers

 

Wanted! More traders for the outdoor market in Cleethorpes which, weather permitting, will again be trading on Wednesdays and Saturdays from the  start of next month to the end of September. Historically, the market has always been dominated by plant stalls, but North East Lincolnshire Council is keen to encourage  bakers, craftmakers, fishmongers, butchers, booksellers and more. As a special incentive, newcomers are being offered eight weeks trading for the price of four. More details from 01472 325836.

Prime Minister says Lincolnshire pylons plan must take into account "impact on local communities"

                                                           

The proposed route of the overhead power lines

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has offered an assurance that the opinions  of affected residents will be taken into account before any decision is made on a proposed 87-mile stretch of electricity line pylons through much of rural Lincolnshire.

In response to a question in the Commons from Cleethorpes and Immingham MP Martin Vickers, he declared: "My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the concerns of his constituents. 

"He will recognise the balance we need to strike by making sure that we give our country the energy security it needs but doing it in a way that is respectful of the impact on local communities.

"I will make sure that ministers take into account the concerns he raised and that all the views of local constituents are taken into account."

Mr Vickers' appeal, moments earlier, had been for at least some of the lines to be installed underground.

At yesterday's Questions to the Prime Minister, he said: "The Prime Minister will be aware of plans by National Grid to build a network of 50-metre-high pylons through much of rural Lincolnshire. 

"This is causing much consternation, particularly in rural villages. 

"Can my right hon. Friend assure my residents that when ministers finally consider the consultations that come forward from National Grid, they will give sympathetic consideration to putting some of the sections underground?"

Ironically, the exchange came at the same time that the charity Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue was being called out to a stricken whooper swan that had apparently collided in flight with overhead lines at West Halton, near Scunthorpe.

Sadly, X-rays revealed that its injuries - including a fractured pelvis - were sufficiently serious for the bird to be put down to spare it continuing pain and distress.

                                

Unable either to walk of fly - the doomed swan is thought to have collided with an overhead line on its migration flight to breeding grounds in Iceland.  Photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue

Decision likely soon on controversial gated housing scheme for Cleethorpes-area village

                                            

The field - with Clarendon Hall care home in the background - faces an uncertain future

A CRUNCH decision looms on the future of a former horse-grazing paddock in  Humberston.

Members of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee will soon be asked to determine whether consent should be given for the overgrown meadow off South View to be transformed into a gated housing development of 10 properties.

A similar proposal - at a time when the council itself owned the site - was surprisingly turned down last year  by councillors against the recommendation of their officers who felt it should be approved.

It prompted the authority to sell the land - for £550,000   - to property developers WHT Partnership.

But now there has been an about-turn by officers. The new owner's application for planning consent is being recommended, not for approval but for refusal.

A report from the case officer states: "The design, layout and scale of development proposed is poor.

"It would detract from the character and appearance of this pleasant residential area and fail to grasp the opportunities to enhance this area and the use of the redirected public footpath. 

"In addition to this, the proposal would detract from the amenities of existing neighbours and occupiers."

The recommendation is certain to please scores of residents who have lobbied vigorously to prevent development on what is a leafy, nature-rich part of the village.

However, even if councillors turn down the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday of next week, it is possible the applicant might appeal.

                                                       

   

Council unveils full list of borough roads set for springtime surface treatment starting next week

                                                         

South View in Humberston - road set for a patch-up on March 27-28

 

WORK is due to start next week  on surface treatment of the following roads in the borough:

* Carnarvon Avenue, between Laceby Road and Gloucester Avenue – 27 March

* Trinity Street, full length of road – 27 March

* Kesgrave Street, between Cleethorpes Road and Riby Road – 27 March

* Hope Street, between Oxford Street junction and Casablanca access – 27 March

* North Street, full length of road – 27 March

* South View, full length of road – 27 and 28 March

* Richardson Close, full length of road – 27 and 28 March

* Priors Close, full length of road – 28 March

* Margaret Place, full length of road – 28 March

* Pretymen Crescent, between Margaret Place and 36 Pretymen Crescent – 28 March

* Barcroft Street, between Brereton Avenue and Harrington Street – 2 and 3 April

* Tiverton Street, between Brereton Avenue and Harrington Street – 2 and 3 April

* Lovett Street, between Freeston Street and Harrington Street – 2 and 3 April

* Fairview Avenue, between Bentley Street and Mill Road – 3 and 4 April

* St Mary’s Close, full length of road – 3 and 4 April

* Moorland Drive, full length of road – 3, 4 and 5 April

* Thesiger Street, between Kent Street and Garibaldi Street – 4 and 5 April

The project is likely to include the application of micro-asphalt, a mixture of bitumen emulsion, small aggregate and cement. 

It is a dual application process, with the first application regulating the existing surface and the second application giving the final surface. 

This treatment will seal the surface, improve surface texture and prolong the life of the road for many years.

Once laid, the material will remain wet for 15 - 30 minutes depending on the temperature and humidity.

 When first laid the material is brown in colour and as it sets it turns to a dark grey/black. 

Vehicles can generally run on the surface within 30 minutes of the treatment being completed, though it may take longer for the material to set depending on the weather conditions.

Says the council: "To allow the works to be completed and to ensure the safety of those completing the works, a full road closure will be in place between 7.30am and 6pm each day. 

"Works may not take the full day to complete, depending on the length of the street, but once complete, the road will be reopened as soon as possible.

"Please support the contractor, Kiely Bros,  by not parking vehicles on the carriageway or footpath in the works location to ensure a safe working area can be maintained and to avoid delaying the works.

"To avoid the build-up of loose materials on the highway, the contractor will return to sweep up loose materials after a few days. 

"People are asked to move their vehicles from the road if they see the road sweeper return to allow as much excess material to be collected as possible."

'We are here to help and support you,' says Lloyds Bank as its prepares to pull out of Cleethorpes

                                               

The last Cleethorpes bank standing - but not for very much longer  

LLOYDS Bank has today confirmed that it will be closing its branch in Cleethorpes later this year.

After many decades of trading at premises on St  Peter's Avenue, it will close its doors and withdraw its ATM cash machines on December 5.

With Barclays, HSBC and NatWest already departees, the town will be left without any bank.

Instead, the only everyday financial service providers will be two building societies - the Nationwide and the Nottingham - and the Post Office.

A spokesperson for Lloyds said: "Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

"Most customers are now using our mobile app, internet banking or calling us instead.

"That means they are using branches, including the one at Cleethorpes, much less. 

"We are here to help and support you."

Lloyds says it has 797 customers which regularly use the Cleethorpes branch.

Of these, 94 per cent are personal customers and six per cent are business users. 

By age breakdown, two per cent are aged under 18, 15 per cent are aged 18 to 34, 24 per cent are aged 35 to 54, 38 per cent are aged 55 to 74 and 21 per cent are aged over 75.

The full list of intended closures is:

* 445 Kingsbury Road Kingsbury England NW9 9DX - 03/07/2024

* 55 Market Place Wetherby England LS22 6LN - 13/01/2025

* 6 Chesterton Place, Chester Road Newquay England TR7 2RU - 04/12/2024

* 8 Ock Street Abingdon England OX14 5AP - 24/07/2024

* 14 High Street Cardigan Wales SA43 1JW - 27/06/2024

* Church Street Malpas England SY14 8NX - 20/08/2024

* 50 High Street Ross-on-Wye England HR9 5HJ - 02/12/2024

* 75 Cheap Street Sherborne England DT9 3BD - 16/01/2025

* 13 St Thomas Centre Exeter England EX4 1DF - 05/08/2024

* 210 Commercial Road London England E1 2JR - 06/08/2024

* 24 Bondgate Within Alnwick England NE66 1TD - 15/01/2025

* 2 Silver Street Ilminster England TA19 0DL - 14/08/2024

* 125 High Street Marlborough England SN8 1LU - 25/11/2024

*13-14 Cornmarket Thame England OX9 2BN - 02/12/2024

* Unit 3, 20 Market Place Wokingham England RG40 1AP - 08/07/2024

* 63-67 Newland Avenue Hull England HU5 3BG - 14/01/2025

* 44 St Peters Avenue Cleethorpes England DN35 8HL - 05/12/2024

* 40 The Square Market Harborough England LE16 7PA - 04/12/2024

* 4 Three Tuns Parade, Stafford Road Wolverhampton England WV10 6BA - 11/09/2024

* 139-141 Barnsley Road South Elmsall England WF9 2AA - 16

Grimsby man (29) charged over alleged weekend sex incident in hospital mortuary

                                           

The shocking incident is alleged to have happened within the hospital's mortuary

A GRIMSBY man has been charged after his arrest at the weekend at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.

The 29-year-old has been charged with a sexual offence and with trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence against a deceased adult.

He is also charged with intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance following an incident in which forced entry was gained to the mortuary, which is a restricted area of the hospital, at around 4.30am last Sunday,

The individual  was initially arrested on suspicion of burglary.

However, while in police custody, following inquiries undertaken as part of the investigation, he was also arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

He appeared at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court this morning  where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on Monday, 22 April at Grimsby Crown Court.

Leading the investigation, Det Ch Insp Nicole Elliott comments: "The details of this report will cause concern, and I want to offer my assurance we have been treating this incident as a priority.

"We are working closely with our partners at the NHS and with the Coroner.

"All family members of deceased persons  inside the mortuary have been contacted, and our specially trained officers are continuing to provide support.

"Understandably, the nature of this report will cause alarm, especially considering other investigations Humberside Police have been dealing with over the last few weeks in Hull and East Yorkshire.

"However, I want to offer my reassurance that we believe this incident at the hospital  to be an isolated incident and not connected to any other investigation."

Experts reckon we will never know what caused the death of Humber-stranded whales

 Experts say it is unlikely that the cause of death will ever be established for this sperm whale (to left of fort) on  the outer beach at Humberston. likewise, the two others that have been washed up this month on the other side of the Humber. This is because of the length of time they have been dead. The Humberston creature is not readily accessible but samples of blubber and teeth have been removed from the two others for the purpose of scientific analysis.

Yorkshire-based battery storage company earmarks leafy Cleethorpes wildlife site for development

 

The land off Hewitts Avenue - home to songbirds such as whitethroats, linnets and bullfinches - is designated as a Local Wildlife Site but this may not save it from being developed

A NATURE-rich area on the outskirts of Cleethorpes has been earmarked for development.

A national company, Knaresborough-based Harmony Energy, is targeting land adjacent to the Northern Powergrid electricity plant off Hewitts Avenue in New Waltham as a potential depot for giant storage batteries.

Its agents say it intends to make up for the destruction  of wildlife habitat by planting native 12 trees and installing 20 nestboxes and  10 bat boxes.

By way of further compensation for loss of biodiversity, they say negotiations have begun with a farmer to buy a strip of land which would be given over to wildflowers. However, this deal has not been finalised.

The patch, located off Hewitt's Avenue, serves as a corridor  between the banks of the Buck Beck and a woodland with the latter, alas, also under threat of  development (as a holiday park).

Access to walkers is currently available via a path  running alongside the side of  The Pear Tree pub near the Tesco superstore, but no guarantee has been offered that this will be retained.

Although consent has not been granted for the development, contractors have already begun removing hedges in expectation that North East Lincolnshire Council will grant planning permission later this spring.

Neither Humberston Village Council nor New Waltham Parish Council have raised any objection to the scheme.

Even before planning consent has been granted,  the site has this month been part-cleared of shrubs and other vegetation

This photograph taken at another Harmony Energy site is what the company has in mind for land off Hewitts Avenue

 

Spectacular artwork makeover for one side of recently re-opened Cleethorpes pub

 

This imposing mural is adding interest to the Cleethorpes street scene - specifically one side of The Old Vic pub on the corner of Grant Street and High Street. In the coming days, London-based street artist Woskerski (pictured below with another creation, an exploding slice of water melon) will be adding the finish touches.

Captivating new video casts Grimsby and Cleethorpes area in a way you might not have thought possible

 

Obviously Grimsby's famous dock tower has to feature

IF  you have a spare couple of minutes, catch up with an entertaining new video - accompanied by catchy music - on YouTube.

It features Grimsby and Cleethorpes as they have never been seen before with everything happening at high-speed and in toytown dimension.

It is a collaboration between Discover North East Lincolnshire, the area’s official tourism brand, and Lincolnshire videograph firm Rich  Beach Media to mark the start of English Tourism Week.

Featured are such landmarks as Cleethorpes Pier, Grimsby Dock Tower, the Ross Tiger, Waltham Windmill, Grimsby Minster and St Peter’s Church.

On top of that, it shows off the  Lollipop Land Train, Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, the promenades, the coastal path and Cleethorpes beach.

Enthuses Hayden Dawkins, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for the visitor economy:

"This video is captivating - watch it!"

Grimsby and Cleethorpes in Miniature  

And here's Kings Road in Cleethorpes

           

These boots were made for walking, and that’s just what they’ve done - walked right out of town

                                                   

All boxed up ready for transfer - the Cleethorpes premises this weekend

 

THE retail scene in North East Lincolnshire has received another blow.

It looks like footwear firm Pavers has pulled out of Cleethorpes for good.

The signs were ominous last month when trade ceased at the back of the premises which it shared with fashion retailer Leading Labels near the Parkway cinema.

It was thought that the closure might be temporary, resulting from what were described as "staff issues".

But this weekend it looks as if the closure has been made permanent.

It is understood that boots, shoes, trainers and slippers were being boxed up on Friday ready for dispatch.

A new sign has been posted stating that the nearest Pavers outlet is now within Brigg Garden Centre.

A statement is awaited from the company’s head office which is in York.