Claim that holiday visitors' lives could be put at risk from flooding if Pleasure Island scheme goes ahead

 

                                                    

A guard dog patrols the former theme park site

AN alert has been sounded  that hundreds of visitors could be in peril from drowning if  the proposed Pleasure Island redevelopment scheme goes ahead with a Lidl supermarket, two hotels and 272 holiday cabins.

Richard Buxton, head of a specialist Cambridge-based law firm, says: "The application is contrary to both national and local flood risk policy.

 "Given the risk to lives, it  should not be permitted on the submission presently before the Council."  

The whole site lies in Flood Zone 3 and would, in the case of mega-high tides, be vulnerable to overtopping both from the North Sea  and the Buck Beck.

Redevelopment of the former theme park was due to have been recommended by senior case officer Cheryl Jarvis at last week's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning meeting, but  this letter, and another from Tesco's legal representatives resulted in debate and a decision being deferred.

Pending reflection of the solicitor's letter and discussions with the council's own lawyers, it is not known if Ms Jarvis might choose to  reconsider her recommendation.

It seems improbable that either she or councillors would be prepared to back a proposal that could lead to loss of life.

And, if the committee does grant planning consent, that might not be the end of the matter.

The law firm - which is acting on behalf of an individual, Katherine Collett - says it could request a judicial review of the decision in the High Court.