Let us spray! Proposal to phase out use of chemical poison may be kicked into touch by NELC cabinet

                                          

Cornflowers, poppies and  daisies used to be common on roadside verges and on the edges of playing fields, but now many, if not most, have fallen victim to NELC's application of glyphosate

DISAPPOINTMENT beckons for campaigners seeking a ban on the use of poisonous herbicides in parks and open spaces in North East Lincolnshire.

Although members of the council’s Communities scrutiny panel backed curbs on the use of such chemicals - notably glyphosate (better known as RoundUp) - its recommendation may not be adopted.

It is NELC’s cabinet which makes the decisions, and it is thought most of their members favour continued use of the poison because of its effectiveness in eradicating wildflowers and other undergrowth.

Campaigners had  hoped  the scrutiny panel’s recommendation might be rubber-stamped at the cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday March 12.

This will not be the case. The recommendation is not even on the agenda - it has effectively been kicked into the long grass.

Dead vegetation under a hedge near Cleethorpes boating lake having been 'treated' with glyphosate 

                                            

The increasingly scarce Song Thrush is among many bird species that love to forage at the base of trees and in undergrowth but much of this precious feeding habitat is regularly sprayed by council with poisonous glyphosate 

The Grimsby News says: This is not what democracy is supposed to be about. Both officers and councillors spent much time exploring NELC's widespread use of poisonous chemicals in parks and open spaces. The research and findings of the scrutiny panel are therefore deserving of  appropriate and early consideration in a decision-making forum.  It may be that cabinet members feel the recommendation should be rejected, but simply to disregard it is discourteous, not to say insulting, both to their scrutiny panel colleagues and to members of the public, many of whom have strong feeling on the subject. NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, should insist this item is discussed by cabinet at the next available  opportunity - its meeting on Wednesday.

Let it flow! Water company confident it can cope with sewage surge if Pleasure Island revamp goes ahead

                                                  

Tired of waiting? The former theme park awaits its fate

ANGLIAN Water has confirmed that its Newton Marsh treatment centre at Tetney is capable of accommodating flows from any redevelopment of the former Pleasure Island theme park.

Given that the project includes, two hotels, a supermarket, a garden centre, a coffee drive-thru and no fewer than 272 holiday cabins, the output of wastewater could be enormous.

However, the water company says it would be within "acceptable parameters".

Despite this encouraging morsel of reassurance, the Lidl-led consortium will be disappointed that Anglian still has misgivings about run-off water in the event of heavy rain which, it fears, could lead to flooding of the site and its surroundings.

Anglian further says that it may have unspecified "assets"' on site which would need to be safeguarded.

For the time being at least, it maintains a holding objection on the long-delayed and controversial project.

                                                         

Other high-profile corporate objectors include Natural England and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who are both fearful about potentially harmful impact on birds and butterflies which have flourished during the long period  in which the site has been closed.

On the plus side - and it is a big plus - the Environment Agency has withdrawn its opposition subject to assurances that the holiday cabins will remain closed during winter when  flood risk is usually at it highest.

                                                                       

Anglian Water's Newton Marsh water treatment plant at Tetney

Daffodils or 'naffodils'? Broadcaster Chris Packham and poet William Wordsworth agree to differ

                                                    

These roadside daffodils near Tesco in Cleethorpes were planted thanks to a joint initiative by the Rotary Club of Cleethorpes and North East Lincolnshire Council  

Chris Packham (spring 2025) on daffodils: 

'It feels like spring is impatient this year. The daffodils, or naffodils as I call them, are making a big yellow mess.' 

William Wordsworth (spring 1804) on daffodils:

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

                                             

What are William Wordsworth's words worth?

Oh no! Surely, they’re not going to dig up parts of Riverhead Square again, are they?

 

Riverhead Square as it is now following its £3.3-million makeover

CONTRACTORS will be back at Grimsby's Riverhead Square later this month and for most of spring.

This was confirmed today be North East Lincolnshire Council which warned residents of nine weeks' of disruption ahead.

In a statement, it says: "The renovation was substantially completed last year, but some works are outstanding.

"Works to electricity connections require upgrading to allow power to be delivered to the main feed.

"Northern Power Grid has been unable to do the work until now.

"Once this is in place, it means that events and markets will be able to use the power boxes installed around the square rather than having to hire in generators."

NELC goes on to warn: "This will involve disruption - areas will be taken out of use to form safe working areas for a period of five weeks."

Even then, the long-running project will not be complete

The main contractor, Hessle-based C.R. Reynolds, will be summoned back to "make good all areas".

This will include bonding loose gravel that is being removed from the flower beds - reportedly during acts of anti-social behaviour.

Some of the new trees look somewhat sickly and may have to be replaced. 

These so-called "snagging works" will take a further four weeks by which time we will be well into May.

Riverhead before the start of the expensive project - the mature trees have been removed   

The Grimsby News says: Yet more disruption! Residents will understandably be dismayed at the prospect of yet more upheaval and inconvenience. What is almost worse, today's depressing announcement comes without a word of apology. And take a close look at the two photographs. Some £3.3-million spent and does Riverhead Square look any better? Does it really?

 

Perhaps not the greatest of paintings, but this deep-sea trawler has important place in wartime history

                                                                       

This 1938 study by George Gill of the deep-sea trawler Ayrshire GY 520 could attract bidding interest when it goes under the hammer at a sale to be conducted by auction house John Taylors of Louth next Tuesday March 11. Although the watercolour is perhaps of no great artistic merit, the ship - which belonged to the Grimsby fleet of the Ayrshire Fishing Company - has a place in wartime history because of her heroic deeds in the 1939-45 war, notably off the coast of Iceland, after she had temporarily been converted to an anti-submarine vessel. She was scrapped in 1966.

She may be unknown (so far) in Grimsby area but don't underestimate campaigning zeal of Marianne

                                 

Marianne Overton - lifelong environmentalist

LOCAL government veteran Marianne Overton MBE will be standing for the Lincolnshire Independents political group in the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral poll on May 1.

A resident of Welbourn, near Lincoln, Ms Overton is almost unknown in North East Lincolnshire but she is long-time member of Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven  District Council.

She is also a formidable political campaigner.

She is the fourth candidate (so far) to have thrown her hat into the ring for the £80,000 post - the others being Conservative candidate Rob Waltham, Reform UK’s Andrea Jenkyns, and Labour candidate Jason Stockwood.

However, the Lib-Dems are also likely to contest the seat as are the Green Party and other non-aligned Independents.

A statement from Ms Overton's team reads: "We firmly believe Marianne is the ideal candidate to drive positive change within our community.

With Marianne at the helm, we can look forward to:

* A better health system for all  

* Safer streets for our families  

* Enhanced education opportunities  

* A thriving local economy  

* Improved roads and transport networks  

* Timely delivery of vital infrastructure projects  

* Meaningful investments in our communities  

"The big issues we face - the cost of living, the threat to democracy and the importance of listening to local voices - demand a leader who can bridge divisions and unite us all. 

"It is time to take party politics out of the equation and focus on what truly matters - our communities.

"With Marianne as an Independent Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, we would have a unique opportunity to prioritise local needs over party agendas."

 Ms Overton is a strong supporter of mental health charities.

She also prides herself on being a lifelong environmentalist and belongs to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust, the RSPB and Greenpeace.

Is this the beginning of the end for one of Cleethorpes area's last broadleaved woodlands?

                                                                       

End-of-life for a Cleethorpes woodland? Most of the remaining trees are doomed

AN appointment with the chainsaws has befallen an historic woodland on the outskirts of Cleethorpes.

As spring starts, the first trees have been felled at the eight-acre Peaks Covert Farm Wood which sits adjacent to the Altyre Way car showroom complex near Tesco.

Once the site has been cleared, there is planning permission for a holiday park with 44 lodges - the initiative of Tetney entrepreneur  Sean Henderson.

Go-ahead for the venture was given by North East Lincolnshire planners in November 2023 - coincidentally at the same meeting that consent was granted for a salmon-rearing factory on the other side of Cleethorpes on ABP-owned land behind Blundell Park.  

The target market for Lodge Park, as it is due to be known, is described as being "the medium-high net worth Jaguar-Landrover sector". 

It has been designed by Cleethorpes-based Hodson Architects whose director, Mark Hodson, represented Mr Henderson at the NELC planning meeting. 

The same patch of woodland as it was last summer - alive with songbirds, butterflies and bees 

Enchanted wood - some trees might  remain but most will be cleared in favour of holiday lodges

A Robin in song - a  feature of the wood's springtime dawn chorus

Success for Cleethorpes campaigner as councillors agree to phase out use of toxic herbicide in parks

                                                        

Cornflowers, poppies and  daisies used to be widespread in many parts of North East Lincolnshire (as here on land off Weelsby Road) but they mostly vanished when NELC operatives started getting liberal with Glyphosate

THE use of  Glyphosate herbicide is set to be phased out in parks and open spaces throughout North East Lincolnshire.

This proposal comes in the wake of a campaign by Cleethorpes woman Katie Teakle which prompted an investigation by NELC''s sustainability officers and a discussion at this week's meeting of the Communities scrutiny panel.

Later, this statement was issued by the authority: "It has been recommended to cabinet to fully phase out Glyphosate in parks and open spaces but to retain itsuse on highways and paths until a cost-effective alternative  is available."

There will also be a trial whereby Glyphosate - commonly known under the tradename, RoundUp  - will be  phased out along  a stretch of  highway to establish the extent to which wildflowers and pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies return.

However, the potential ban creates some complications for the authority.

As an alternatively, it  previously trialled the use of vinegar around the Doughty Road Depot but ceased after a member of staff complained about the smell.

The report to Thursday's communities scrutiny panel states: "The transition to alternative methods of weed control or no weed control is likely to have significant financial capital and revenue consequences.

"It is envisaged that strimming might require an additional 30 staff at a revenue cost of £1.3-million per year. 

"The capital cost of additional mechanised sweeper vehicles is estimated at £950,000, with additional annual revenue costs of  £260.000K."

But it continues: "Children and young people are especially concerned about our environment, and it is essential to engage with them on environmental matters."

The report also identifies 25 places in the borough where the use of Glyphosate  has already mostly been phased out: 

• Jubilee Park Perimeter

• Peaks Parkway (Bridge to roundabout)

• Boating Lake car park and green areas

• Pennells Garden Centre grassed area

• Belvoir wild areas

• Cleethorpes Country Park (perimeter and car park)

• Ainslie Rec and Katherine Street (Gas Alley)

• Highfield Avenue

• Weelsby Avenue wild area

• Former Scartho Baths site

• Westwood Ho (Ambulance Field)

• Augusta Street grassed area

• Bradley Hollow and copse area

• Duke of York gardens perimeter area

• Corporation Road along the wall line

• Railway side perimeter fence line (Willows Estate)

• Copse area Mayfair Drive East and West (Wybers)

• Ampleforth and Wingate green spaces

• Longitude Woods (Freshney)

• Cromwell Road open space

• Cromwell Road estate verges

• Kingston Gardens green spaces

• Capes Recreational 

• Laceby Bypass verges

• Achille Road wild are

It is understood that, such is its toxicity - which can worsen asthma symptoms - Glyphosate is already outlawed in the EU because of its devastating impact on biodiversity.

It is still available in the UK, but the Government is considering a nationwide ban as from January 1 next year.

                                        

Above and below - areas of Cleethorpes parkland where the controversial chemical has been applied to the detriment not just of wildflowers but also to the bees and butterflies that depend on them 

                                                   

Spraying with Glyphosate will continue indefinitely along roads and pavements

Boy aged 15 arrested on suspicion of weekend rape on Fuller Street bridge in Cleethorpes

                                                                       

The bridge where the incident is said to have occurred last Sunday evening 

POLICE investigating aa alleged  rape on Fuller Street bridge in Cleethorpes have arrested a 15-year-old boy.

The incident is said to have occurred at 9.40pm last Sunday.

Det Ch Insp Karen Rogers said this afternoon: "We have been carrying out extensive lines of  inquiries over the course of the last week.

"This included reviewing CCTV footage in the area and conducting house-to-house inquiries.

"I can now confirm that a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of rape yesterday

"He has since been released on conditional bail whilst our investigations continue.

"I know this incident will be concerning for our local community, but I hope the news of this arrest reassures the public that we continue to treat this investigation as a priority."

Poll candidate pledges fight to ensure countryside is not 'marred by endless pylons and solar farms'

                                                               

Dame Andrea - once worked at Grimsby department store

THE Reform UK candidate in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral poll on May 1 has made her first pitch to Grimsby-area electors.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns insists: "If elected, I will cut wasteful spending and ensure every penny of taxpayers' money is used wisely.

"This means no funding for unnecessary roles like diversity officers and a focus on practical priorities like fixing potholes"

Dame Andrea's message comes in a newsletter entitled, Spirit of Lincolnshire, that is currently being distributed to households throughout Lincolnshire.

The politician's early childhood years were spent in New Holland and East Halton before moving to North East Lincolnshire where she was a pupil at schools in Healing and Cleethorpes.

Her education also included a period studying at Grimsby College. 

For a while she worked at Binns department store in Freshney Place, Grimsby and Valentino pizza restaurant in Market Street, Cleethorpes.

Her previous political career has included spells as a Lincolnshire county councillor, representing a Boston ward, and as Conservative MP for the constituency of Morley and Outwood.  

Dame Andrea (50) says she is opposed to unrealistic Net Zero targets and, if elected, will fight to ensure "Lincolnshire's stunning countryside is not marred by endless pylons and solar farms."

Spirit of Lincolnshire has been printed by a Leeds company.

NELC splashed out almost £1-million in 'exit packages' to officers made redundant in 2023-24

AN eye-watering £945,000 was last year paid out in 'exit packages' to officers leaving the employment of North East Lincolnshire Council.

A total of departing 31 staff were beneficiaries of the hand-outs.

Of these, 18 were made compulsorily redundant while 13 came in the form of 'agreed departures'.

The largest sums will have gone to five officers who had been pocketing salaries of upwards of £60,000 per annum before becoming surplus to the authority's requirements.

The eyebrow-raising figures are revealed in NELC's annual draft statement of accounts.

The corresponding 'exit packages' figure for the previous year was £921,000.

The Grimsby News says: What a crazy world! NELC hires staff, some on bumper salaries, then decides to fork out hundreds of thousands to get rid of them. Why were they taken on in the first place? The amount of money sploshing about in local government is truly extraordinary. Is it right that such a colossal amount of it is dispensed with absolutely nil benefit to the public? And where is the scrutiny by councillors? Someone at NELC needs to get a  grip on recruitment and redundancy activity without delay. 

It will be as large as a new town! Developer earmarks green fields west of Grimsby for 3,500-homes scheme

                                                                

The site outlined in red has been earmarked for the development

PLANS for a monster housing development on farm fields west of Grimsby are back in the spotlight.

The eye-watering proposal is for approximately 3,500 homes to be built on land between the  A1136 and the A46.

Not much has been heard since it came to the fore last November, but agents for the applicants are now again nudging North East Lincolnshire Council planners. 

If approved, the project would include at least one new school, sports pitches, allotments, play areas and a park, roads, footpaths, possibly a supermarket and a road bridge over the River Freshney.

The company behind the scheme is one of Britain's largest property developers and regeneration specialists, the Rotherham-based Harworth Group. 

It is understood the land is owned by members of the Strawson family.

In early discussions, NELC's highways department has indicated  support, but the views of others such as the authority's ecology unit, have not yet been heard.

The proposal has already generated plenty of controversy, not least because it will lead to the loss both of cherished countryside and, potentially, of precious wildlife.

However, with the Government eager to encourage more housebuilding, odds are that, ultimately, the development will proceed. 

                                              

The sort of housing that could be built on land that, hitherto, has always been open countryside 

                                            

Scans, X-rays and more! Freshney Place's Community Diagnostic Centre set to open early next month

                                              

The community diagnostician will see you now . . .

THE new Community Diagnostic Centre in  Freshney Place shopping centre is set to open early next month, though the precise date is not yet known.

The services will cover phlebotomy (blood), 24-hour cardiology monitoring, ECGs, echocardiographs, X-rays and non-pregnancy related ultrasound scans.

The £10-million centre is expected to ease some of the pressure on Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

The intention, later in the year, is also to offer ophthalmology  appointments.

The centre will be open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

More details at:  https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/services/community-diagnostic-centres/