Council will need assurances before it gives green light for conversion of house to children's care home

 

A FIRM that wants to change the use of a house in Grimsby to a care home for  children will have to submit a planning application to North East Lincolnshire as an essential step in the project.

Our Avenue Ltd has earmarked a property in James Street, Grimsby, for establishing a care home for up to two young persons aged seven to 17.

It had hoped that NELC would grant a Certificate of Lawfulness which would have fast-tracked the venture.

However, this application has been turned down by the council.

Says a report:  "Given the site and urban context it is considered that the proposed development constitutes a material change of use. 

"This is because the two uses will be materially different.

"Firstly, in respect of the issue of safety and wellbeing of the children proposed to occupy the property, it is considered that one of the key issues of materiality pertains to the consideration of the safety of the children themselves.

"Secondly, the impact of the use on the character amenity of the local area including increased traffic movements and comings and goings due to staff, professional and personal movements; the suitability of the location of the children's home and the impact of the children's home on community cohesion and the actual or perceived safety of the community."

In order to proceed with the scheme, Our Avenue Ltd will - via a  planning application - need to provide assurances on what is proposed.

Bolton-based company earmarks Village Way on Europarc for its next UK filling station venture

                                                            

Proposed filling station will be near coffee shop and restaurant

PLANS are afoot for construction of a filling station on what is described as "shrubland"  at the Europarc Business Centre. 

The site identified for the project is 0.73 hectares to the west of Starbucks coffee shop off Village Way - not far from the Beechwood Farm restaurant and the junction with the A180 road.

The application seeks full planning consent for the erection of a single-storey fuel filling station kiosk building with two canopies.  

The kiosk building will be separated into the retail area, rest area and bathroom facilities and back of house for staff and deliveries.  

The applicants are the Bolton-based EG Group which has filling stations in at least six other countries including the USA.

They state: "The proposal is to  use high quality materials throughout the development in order to give a modern and appropriate appearance in line with the intended use as a roadside service. 

"Timber boarding is intended for to the front and sections of the side of the building. The majority of the front of the kiosk will be glazed with umbra grey." 

On the downside, 160 hawthorn trees and 23 out of 24 willows have been earmarked for removal in order to make way for the project.

There has been no breeding bird survey, but among the birds recorded by ecologist Hannah Karim when she went walkabout on December 10 were Redwing, Kestrel, Goldcrest and Snipe. 

                                           

Kestrel - one of the bird species that frequent the site

                                                  

Delight for birdwatchers as rare Purple Heron wings its way to the country park in Cleethorpes

There was an unexpected visitor to Cleethorpes Country Park this weekend. A rare Purple Heron was seen variously skulking among the reeds or perched on a branch in the trees on the island in the lake. It is thought that the bird, a relative of the much more common Grey Heron, may have flown to Lincolnshire from the Netherlands where it breeds. 

                                            

Was wool pulled over MP's eyes during recent sorting office visit? Emphatically not says Royal Mail

                                    

Demanding full disclosure - Melanie Onn

THE Government's Small Business minister, Blair McDougall, has been asked to intervene in a transparency row involving MP Melanie Onn and the  Royal Mail's sorting office in Grimsby.

When she paid a recent fact-finding visit to the Fotherby Street premises, the MP was shown empty mail frames, indicating that letters were out for delivery.

But she claims she has since been told by posties that the mail was not out for delivery - instead being hidden away to give the impression of service being carried out as normal.

However, this allegation - effectively that she had been duped - has been emphatically rejected by Royal Mail.

Now Ms Onn has written to the minister, asking him to get the bottom of the matter.

"I should be grateful if you could raise this disparity with Royal Mail," she writes. "Visits are of much greater value if they are honestly displayed.

"It is essential for my constituents that we can get a full picture of what services are being disrupted locally, why and how these matters can be addressed."                                                   

The MP has made public the letter she has written to the minister responsible for oversight of the Royal Mail

Heartbreak for Mariners as valiant fightback at Salford fails to clinch trip to Wembley

GRIMSBY Town have missed out on a Division 2 play-off final trip to Wembley.

Trailing 1-2 against Salford City after the first leg at Blundell Park, Town last night fell further behind when the Lancashire club scored early in the second half to make the aggregate score 3-1.

But then . . .

First Kieran Green, with a header, then a Jaze Kebia tap-in, levelled things up 2-2 on aggregate. 

The game went to extra-time, but Salford netted from close range in the 117th minute to clinch a date for the play-off final trip to London where they will play Notts County - last night's conquerors of Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate following a 0-0 draw in the previous leg.

It is a hugely disappointing end to the campaign for Town after a momentous season which included  memorable Carabao Cup wins against Manchester United and Wolves early in the season.

But if they can keep together most of this season’s star performers - and maybe add a few more in the close season transfer market - they should have the springboard for another tilt at promotion in 2026-27.

Reform UK likely to miss out on control of council as current Conservative leader digs in heels

                                      

Cllr Freeston - audacious power bid likely to be thwarted

• 
  
  

A POWER grab by  ambitious Reform UK group leader Oliver Freeston looks doomed to fail at next week's AGM of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Following last week’s local elections, Reform UK emerged as the largest party with 14 seats.

But this is a country mile short of an overall majority because the other political groups have a total of 28 seats as follows - Labour 11, Conservative 10, Independent 4 Liberal-Democrat 3.

Talks about power-sharing deal between Reform and the Conservative hit the rocks earlier this week when current council supremo Cllr Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham) refused point-blank to cede leadership of the authority.

In an angry response, Cllr Freeston (Croft Baker) will call for his Tory opponent to be kicked out of the job at next Thursday evening’s meeting.

In a bluntly-worded motion, he has called for Cllr Jackson to be "removed" from the leadership so that he can be elected in his stead.

But his gambit looks likely to backfire - and both he and his  13 Reform colleagues face missing out on out on leadership, cabinet places and control of the authority.

This is  because Cllr Jackson is confident that - in return for the offer of places in the cabinet - he can stitch together a coalition with the Lib Dem’s and the Independents.

Will  the Labour Group like such an arrangement? Not one bit.

But they loathe everything Reform UK represents and will almost certainly opt to tread their own path rather than undermine their credibility by doing deals with those of other political persuasion.

Electors will be able to watch Thursday’s drama unfold because the AGM is due to be screened live via the NELC website.

In the meantime, spare a thought for new borough mayor Cllr Marian Boyd (Con, Park) whose responsibility it is to chair what looks set to be a fractious AGM. 

                                       

The notice of motion on the agenda for next week's annual meeting of the council

 

                                        

• 
  

A leafy car park site will provide temporary summer home for Cleethorpes' seasonal outdoor market

From next Wednesday, the temporary home of Cleethorpes outdoor market will be at the leisure centre end of the boating lake car park

A TEMPORARY new home has been found for Cleethorpes' twice-weekly seasonal outdoor market.

While contractors work on pedestrianisation of the town's market place, traders will ply their plants and other wares near the leisure centre at the north end of the boating lake car park.

North East Lincolnshire Council says  there are "plenty of reasons to visit the new site", identifying the chief of them  as: 

* Convenient parking – right next to the market

* Perfect setting – by the boating lake and coastal path

* A great day out – shop, walk, and enjoy the coast all in one visit

* Easier to find – with strong visibility from a main road and bus route

As before, the market will  run every Wednesday and Saturday from 9am to 3pm (weather permitting).

Trading at the temporary new location starts next Wednesday May 20 and will continues her until Wednesday September 30 by which time the re-modelling works at the market's traditional home should have been completed.

NELC says it welcomes inquiries from anyone  interested in trading at Cleethorpes Seasonal Outdoor  Market ( 01472 325836) / market.hall@nelincs.gov.uk.

North East Lincolnshire's new mayor, Cllr Marian Boyd, keen to raise funds for dementia charity

                                                         

North East Lincolnshire's new mayor - Cllr Marian Boyd

A DEMENTIA charity is set to be one of the beneficiaries of the year in office of North East Lincolnshire's new mayor, Cllr Marian Boyd.

Chris Suich set up the charity, Bob's Brainwaves, after her husband, Bob, began suffering memory loss in 2003.

He is a former manager of the Embassy Theatre in Skegness, then head of tourism and entertainment at Manby-based East Lindsey District Council.

The new mayor's other chosen charity needs no introduction - it is the RNLI.

Cllr Boyd, who has been a representative for Grimsby's Park ward since 2022,  was elected  at the annual mayor-making ceremony held in Grimsby Town Hall yesterday evening.

She certainly knows her way around local government.

She  began her career in 1972 in what was then the Great Grimsby County Borough Council, working in the education department before transferring to the housing department.

Subsequently, she became a college lecturer.

Her consort will be David Boyd and her chaplain will be the Rev Andrew Race.

The new deputy mayor is Cllr Robson Augusta.

In her speech, Cllr Boyd thanked council colleagues for their support and described becoming mayor as "a great honour".

Boost for Pleasure Island consortium as Natural England withdraws its objection to revamp

                                       

Pleasure Island - is a new chapter set to open for the former theme park?

COULD there be light at the end of a very long  tunnel for a consortium's oft-frustrated attempts to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes?

The last big hurdle  came in the form of Natural England which had long objected to the proposal for construction of a discount supermarket, two hotels, a garden centre, a coffee drive-thru andup to no fewer than 272 holiday lodges.

But NE has today told North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department that it has withdrawn its objection subject to appropriate mitigation to reduce disruption for birdlife - not the various songbirds on site but the scarce migratory shorebirds that spend autumn  and winter on the estuary.

The proposed mitigation includes the following:

• The closing of the site between  November 1 and  March 14 (exact dates dependant on school holidays)  

• The provision of improved links to the Cleethorpes Country Park (to reduce human footfall on the shoreline where wading birds such as Curlew and Knot feed) 

• Site design and structural planting to limit noise and light pollution  

• A no-dogs policy at both the holiday park and hotels to limit disturbance  

• Interpretation  signage to showcase the estuary's wildlife.

Natural England is also insisting on the appointment of an independent ranger to monitor the welfare of birdlife, to educate visitors and to ensure the mitigation conditions are met.

It wants the ranger to be employed by Humber Nature Partnership, with the consortium to contribute to her/his salary to the tune of £22,264 per annum (to be adjusted in line with inflation)

The Environment Agency withdrew its flooding objections last year, and it is not believed any other statutory consultee stands in the way of planning consent.

However, there are also many objections from nearby residents, and it is not clear if NELC's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, is content about the proposed landscaping plan once hundreds of trees and shrubs have been removed.

It seems likely now that the proposal - which dates as far back as 2020 - will be determined by a newly-elected (and inexperienced)  NELC planning committee later this year, possibly even in summer.

The project was originally the brainchild of Liverpool-based property developer Sze Ming Yeung but it is understood that supermarket chain Lidl is now the majority shareholder in the consortium behind the proposed revamp. 

Even if planning consent is granted, it may be many months before finance is in place, the site is cleared and redevelopment can start.

Most of the trees will have to be felled to make way for the redevelopment 

Arab investment giant's swoop for 50 per cent stake in windfarm that will be serviced out of Grimsby

The North Sea location of where Hornsea 3 is due to be constructed, with the underground cables being routed to come ashore in Norfolk

A MIDDLE Eastern investment company, Mubadala,  has made a surprise swoop for a 50 per cent stake in  Hornsea 3, which, once completed, will be the world’s single largest offshore wind farm with no fewer than 231 turbines.

The project is expected to create further employment at the operators, Ørsted, which will retain 50 per cent.

The Danish company already employs some 600 staff in and around Grimsby from where the sister Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 wind farm turbines are already maintained.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala is the sovereign wealth company of the United Arab Emirates. It has investments all over the world including the London-based bank, Revolut, which is currently being heavily promoted in an advertising campaign fronted by comedian Graham Norton.

Its investment in Hornsea 3 is put at $325-million - £240.8-million pounds.

Says Karim El Jazzar, Mubadala's head of infrastructure: "Hornsea 3 is a large-scale infrastructure asset supporting the expansion of renewable generation capacity in one of the world’s most established offshore wind markets.

"This investment reflects Mubadala’s approach of investing alongside experienced partners in high-quality infrastructure assets that support the energy transition while delivering long-term value.

"As electricity demand continues to grow, projects of this scale will play a critical role in expanding generation capacity and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy system."

                                           

Investment in the North Sea wind farm project is being backed by Mubadala's chief executive, His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak

Boost for housebuilding company as NELC says golf course project would NOT have 'significant' impact

One of two ponds on the golf course - the developers say the intention is for them both to be retained

THERE has been a boost for the Leeds-based company which wants to build 234 houses on the nine-hole golf course behind Humberston Country Club.

Vistry plc has today (Monday) been told  that there is no requirement to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment which would have proved both costly and time-consuming for the company.

The ruling will dismay residents and wildlife lovers who fear development would  be harmful to songbirds and other creatures that dwell on the site.

The NELC report says: "The location is not a sensitive area and is not within 2 km of a Site of of Special Scientific Interest.

"Any potential ecological issues are considered to be local to the site and immediate area. 

"Furthermore, the site is outside of Flood Zones 2 and 3.

"The proposal if approved would be of a relatively typical residential form and not have any significant effect on the wider Humberston environment."  

The report continues: "There would be  likely be some environmental impacts during the construction process in terms of traffic, noise, dust and general disturbance, but these would be localised to the area and would be addressed through the planning application.

"In relation to highways, any impact would not have a wider impact on the environment, though cumulative impacts and key local junctions will need to be considered. 

"This proposal  would not lead to a significant urbanisation of the area though careful consideration on the impact of the built form in this location will be a key consideration of the planning application given the context of the site, its quality and its former use."

The report concludes: "Having regard to the considerations noted, the recommendation is that the development does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment."

The  controversial proposal must still go through the formal planning procedures and is likely to be determined by members of NELC's planning committee with a decision not expected before summer this year.

A variety of well-established trees provide habitat  for wildlife of many species

Mallard are among the waterbirds that feed and breed on the site

A fine vista - but it could be transformed into bricks and mortar  if Leeds-based company secures consent to build 234 houses

                                                          

                                                                         

            

    

Name: Martin Dixon

Council unveils new images of Cleethorpes Market Place scheme ahead of works starting next week

                                 

New artists' impressions of how Cleethorpes Market Place might soon look have been unveiled by North East Lincolnshire Council on behalf of landscape architects Gillespies. The pedestrianisation proposal has been hotly opposed by some traders because it will restrict access and parking for cars, but work is set to start next Monday. The contractors have been named as CR Reynolds - the firm which carried out the paving revamp outside Freshney Place shopping centre in Grimsby's Top Town.

MP Melanie Onn warns on 'long way to go' before normal services resumes on mail delivery to homes

                                                                

MP Melanie Onn hears about the pressures during her visit to the sorting office in Grimsby (photo: Melanie Onn/ Facebook)

GRIMSBY and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn says "solid work" is being done to normalise  mail deliveries to homes in her constituency but cautions that "there is still a long way to go".

The MP was speaking in the wake of numerous concerns expressed by both residents and posties about issues ranging from delays to pressure on staff.

Earlier this year, it prompted her to pay a fact-finding visit to the sorting office in Fotherby Street, Grimsby, to learn about the pinch points from members of staff.

 Ms Onn has also raised her concerns in the Commons where she said: "My understanding is that letters must not be treated less favourably than parcels, but that is happening at the moment through internal Royal Mail targets. 

"That is the case at the sorting office in Grimsby, where a tracked-first policy is in place, meaning that parcels take priority, while letters and non-tracked mail are not prioritised. 

"First and second-class cards and letters are left sitting in frames for days and weeks."

She continued: "Route revisions are also an issue for posties, some of whom regularly walk 30,000 to 40,000 steps a day. 

"That is causing exhaustion, injury and illness. 

" What will the Government do to force Ofcom to take action that will get things moving and change a policy that leaves people’s letters sat in their frames for days?"

The discussion also saw a contribution from Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers who said:"Constituents who have lodged complaints  are receiving messages that say that deliveries in parts of the DN31-DN37 postcodes are being disrupted due to resourcing issues."

He added: "Pressure on staffing resources  is an acceptable reason in the short term, but not in the long term."

 

Reform UK may be largest party on council - but will its councillors be allowed to lead it?

                                         

Currently NELC leader, but not necessarily for much longer - Cllr Philip Jackson

A FIERCE power struggle is looming for control of North East Lincolnshire Council in the wake of last night's local election results.

With 14 of the authority's 42 seats, Reform UK is now the largest party.

But its tally falls well short of bringing it overall control.

At NELC's annual meeting later this month, the four other political groups - Conservative (10), Independent (4), Labour (11) and Liberal-Democrat (3) - will all have a say in who will assume the leadership along with the positions in cabinet.

The current leader, Cllr Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham), could seek to strike a deal with Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), who is likely to be elected leader of  his own party.

But would the former be willing to serve in the same cabinet, especially in a junior role, as a man who defected from the Conservatives?

It seems more likely Cllr Jackson will seek to woo the Liberal-Democrats and Independents by offering them places  in the cabinet, with him remaining at the helm.

It is understood that  constitution of the Labour Party would prevent any formal pact between its councillors and their Conservative counterparts, but they may be offered sweeteners in the form of chairing roles on the committees and scrutiny panels if this guarantees exclusion of Reform UK for which Labour has nothing but contempt.

But, as the second largest group, could Labour, itself, make an audacious play for the spoils?

If no deals can be done, a stalemate would ensue.

And what would that mean for the stability of NELC? 

Who will lead North East Lincolnshire Council following night of triumph for Reform UK?

                                       

Oliver Freeston savours his success in the Croft Baker ward - from being the only Reform UK councillor, he is now one of 14 and may become the next leader of  North East Lincolnshire Council (photo: NELC). 

FOUR high-profile Conservatives lost their places on North East Lincolnshire Council - and in the cabinet - in a night of election triumph for Reform UK.

Licking their wounds this morning are: Margaret Cracknell, Stephen Harness, Ron Shepherd and Stewart Swinburn.

As a result of yesterday's poll, Reform UK is now the largest party with 14 seats.

But there is no overall control, and there are certain to be days of  political manoeuvring to see which group will lead the authority - or whether leadership will be shared. 

The composition is now:

Conservative – 10

Labour – 11

Liberal Democrat – 3

Independents – 4

Reform UK – 14

                                          RESULTS          

     

             CROFT BAKER                                

                   EAST MARSH

  

            FRESHNEY

               HAVERSTOE

                  

                   HENEAGE                                

                       HUMBERSTON & NEW WALTHAM

  

               IMMINGHAM                               

                                                        

            PARK    

        

             

      SCARTHO

                       

        SIDNEY SUSSEX 

      SOUTH       

                

        

                                         

       WALTHAM

 

           WEST MARSH

     

          WOLDS

         

         YARBOROUGH

                               

Did stranded Gannet mistake Cleethorpes Leisure Centre for white cliffs of Yorkshire Coast?

                                         

The Gannet was able to waddle from the saltmarsh to a footpath where it would have been  vulnerable to off-the-lead dogs had not Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue come to its aid

THERE are hopes of a full recovery for a Gannet that made a crash-landing near Cleethorpes Leisure Centre yesterday morning.

Gannets, which breed on cliffs in Yorkshire and elsewhere around the British coast, are marine birds which find lifting off from dry land a challenge.

One possibility is that it mistook the leisure centre for a cliff, then, confusing it for sea, landed on shallow saltmarsh water during high tide and became stranded when the water receded.

After its discovery, the team at the National Coastwatch Institution look-out cabin maintained a watching brief until Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue could come to the bird's aid.

CWR takes up the story thus: "Gannets are among the UK’s largest seabirds. 

"When they are  not plunge-diving into the sea at speeds of up to 60mph, they are usually found nesting and resting along steep cliff edges. 

"If they land on flat beaches like Cleethorpes - or are washed ashore after rough seas - they can struggle to become airborne again. 

"We suspect this bird was attempting to continue its journey north towards the cliffs further up the coast."

The statement continues: "Ads  a high-risk species on a high-risk coastline for avian influenza, this bird underwent three separate assessments before entering rescue: the first at the scene before collection, the second outside the rescue centre and the third within our isolation bay.

"We are pleased to report that, aside from a fairly typical ectoparasite burden and being slightly underweight, the bird is in good overall health.

"Our fantastic veterinary partners at Eastfields have since carried out a full health-check and given the all-clear for rehabilitation to continue.

"A huge thank you to local photographer Rob for providing clear images that allowed us to assess the bird safely from a distance, and to Cleethorpes Coastwatch for their monitoring and observations throughout."

                                       

Making progress - there are hopes that the bird will soon be fit enough for release (photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue)

Cliff-like? Cleethorpes Leisure Centre sits next to saltmarsh

MP blasts plan for housing estate on 'much-loved' nine-hole village golf course as 'unacceptable'

           

Uncertain future for  golf course in Humberston

MP Martin Vickers has added his voice to the growing opposition to a 234-house  estate being built  on the disused  nine-hole golf course behind Humberston Country Club.

Parliamentarians do not often comment on planning applications, but the representative for Brigg and Immingham has decided to make an exception in this case.

In a memo to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department, he writes: "Development of this site will be hugely detrimental to Humberston and the wider community.

"The loss of open space and a much-loved golf course is unacceptable, particularly at a time when there are multiple developments already approved and a number of others to be determined. 

"To grant this application may help meet Government housing targets but will:

* Be damaging to the environment

* Put greater strain on the highway network 

* Increase the pressure on public services

"The development, if it goes ahead, will increase the dangers to pupils attending Humberston Academy. 

"Traffic at school arrival/leaving times is already extremely heavy.

"Last year the council refused an application to further develop land off Maple Grove, New Waltham. 

"This was subsequently overturned by the Government-appointed inspector even though he acknowledged that, at certain times, Toll Bar roundabout operated in excess of capacity.

"Approval of this application will increase pressure on the road network in Humberston/New Waltham.

"The Government repeatedly refer to sustainable development. 

"I would suggest to the council that this proposal is not sustainable and I urge the council  to refuse it."

The proposal, submitted by Vistry Homes, is also being opposed by Humberston Village Council and by Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society, with the latter noting that it is against national planning policy to allow land traditionally used for sport to be developed for non-sporting purposes save in "exceptional circumstances". 

All-systems-go for Tesco filling station revamp after assurances that aquifer will be safe from harm

                                                               

The filling station closed earlier this month ahead of modernisation

MEASURES are being taken to ensure that the revamp at the Tesco Extra filling station on the outskirts of Cleethorpes poses  no contamination risk to underground water sources.

On this assurance on safeguards for the aquifer, the Environment Agency has withdrawn its initial objection to the project which includes:

* Removal of below-ground fuel storage tanks  

* Installation of two new 120,000 litre double skin steel storage tank and new petrol interceptor  

* Partial demolition and alterations to existing canopy 

* Installation of two jet washes and air and water facilities  

* Construction of new storage area to side of existing shop  

* Installation of new fuel lines, offset fills and vents 

* Installation of new interceptor 

* Installation of new drainage

The filling station is not due to reopen until July 27.

In the meantime, Tesco is suggesting its Brigg site as an alternative.