Update possible later this week on council's controversial plan to 'hard-landscape' Pier Gardens

Pier Gardens - council leaders think the shrubs and lawns look "tired"  and need to make way for hard landscaping, a 'performance zone' and  recreational equipment

An update on the proposed revamp of Pier Gardens could come later this week. Members of North East Lincolnshire Council's economy, culture and tourism panel will have the opportunity to quiz officers at a meeting on Thursday morning. The proposed project has been the subject of simmering controversy ever since the first stage - removal of a popular hedgerow maze - occurred in spring. Pending this week's meeting, NELC has released the minutes (below)  of  the July 12 panel meeting where the revamp was discussed. 

Elected members raised concerns over the removal of historical activities for families, as well as the public health concerns raised in a recent press release, particularly around antisocial behaviour in the maze. 

The removal of the maze was acknowledged but the panel questioned the timing of its removal. 

                                           

The maze - first casualty of the redevelopment project

They wondered whether this was only done because of the upcoming Armed Forces Weekend and asked whether the ecology around removing part of these gardens had been considered. 

Members enquired about the need for planning permission on some of the structures put forward and asked whether the project cost would be more than what officers were currently forecasting. 

They expressed concerns over the difficulty officers may have in appointing external contractors and reiterated how they hoped officers had thought about the disruption this project may have to residents and visitors coming to the resort.

The leader of the council (Cllr Philip Jackson) and officers clarified the 'need' to take out the play equipment and the maze. 

They maintained that the removal was done in advance of the holiday season when there would be  increased footfall. 

Ecological reports were taken into consideration before the maze was removed. 

They also explained that the only planning permission they would need would be on one of the structures in the play area, but a pre-application presentation had already been presented to the council planning committee to help to avoid the implementation of this project being held up. 

Cllr Trevor Crofts (Con) moved for the recommendations within the report to Cabinet be supported along with a further recommendation that  the technical design, costs and timescales of the Pier Garden project be referred back for information to the panel for review.

Councillor Tim Mickleburgh (Lab) seconded this.

The motion was unanimously approved.