Councillors go walkabout at Pleasure Island - and, happily, none was eaten by a dog

He's probably very friendly (to his owners) - a guard dog patrols the grounds 

ANY free-roaming guard dogs at Pleasure Island were kept under restraint to safeguard members of North East Lincolnshire during a site visit to the former theme park.

This was to ensure that none of the part should feel nervous about being attacked and savaged.

The visit, which was held on July 7, provided a rare opportunity for councillors and officers to marvel at the many songbirds and butterflies that have made Pleasure Island their home since it closed as a commercial attraction more than 10 years.

According to a bird survey conducted in summer four years ago, the trees and shrubs are home to more than 50 bird species.

No survey has been undertaken of the butterflies, but it is thought there could be at least 20 varieties - maybe more.

The site is effectively a small unofficial nature reserve, with an incredible range of wildlife including several bat species and various types of dragonflies and damselflies which, at this time of year, dart about over the waters of the two lakes.

Some would like to see this extraordinary habitat maintained and enhanced, but supermarket chain Lidl wants to clear the land of almost all the trees and shrubs to make way for one of its stores, plus a coffee shop, two hotels 272 holiday cabins and other amenities.

The NELC delegation's visit was hosted by Lidl's property acquisition chief, Gary Rafferty, who is unlikely to have extolled the delights of the wildlife, probably preferring to highlight the commercial advantages from his company's proposals for land clearance and redevelopment.

Those who also took part in the 75-minute visit on July 7 were:

* Cheryl Jarvis - NELC Planning Manager (case officer)         

* Richard Limmer - NELC Principal Planner

* Gary Raferty - Lidl (applicant and site owner)

* Cllr Matthew Patrick - (Lab, Heneage) NELC planning committee chairman

* Cllr Goodwin - NELC planning committee vice-chairman

* Cllr Bob Callison - (Reform, Sidney Sussex)

* Cllr Paul Batson - (Reform, South)

* Cllr Haydn Dawkins - (Con, Humberston & New Waltham)

* Cllr Paul Bright - (Ind, Freshney)

* Cllr Henry Hudson - (Con, Wolds) 

* Cllr Loyd Emmerson - (Lib-Dem, East Marsh)

* Cllr Ian Lindley - (Con, Scartho)

*Cllr Edward Kaczmarek - (Lab, Sidney Sussex)

It had been intended for Lidl's application to be determined at the following morning's planning meeting in Grimsby Town Hall.

However, debate and a decision were deferred after it emerged that there had been legal objections.

Unable to be present either for the site visit or the planning meeting, for reasons unknown, was planning committee member Cllr Bill Parkinson whose Haverstoe ward accommodates Pleasure Island.

As with other consultees, representatives of the RSPB and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, both of which oppose the application, were not invited to attend - a shame because they would have been able to identify the wildlife for the benefit of those attending.   

When will the application be determined? 

Councillors expressed a wish that, having been deferred, the Lidl proposal might be considered at their next planning meeting.

But their wish will not be granted. Because of the complexity of the legalities, the application is not included on the agenda for the August meeting.