Success for objectors as council refuses plan for 20-metre high phone mast on High Street in Cleethorpes

    

The car park on High Street, Cleethorpes, where a telecommunications mast was proposed

RESIDENTS who objected to a telecommunications mast and base station being installed at a prominent location in Cleethorpes appear to have won the day.

There were numerous objections when a Berkshire-based company, Cornerstone, earmarked a plot adjacent to the car park in High Street for the proposed development.

The  project - intended to replace near-obsolete equipment on the roof of the nearby Sainsburys Local store - would have consisted of a 20-metre high mast with six antennae attached, plus three ground-based cabinets.

But the application has this week been refused by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Says the planning case officer: "It is considered that the proposed tower, with its width and height, would intrude and detract from the area and adversely impact on the character of the area. 

"The proposal would be highly visible from a multitude of street scenes including High Street , St Peter's Avenue, Isaac's Hill and Cross Street.

"The mast would  dominate the area and appear out of scale with its surroundings. 

"This will be accentuated by the openness caused by the car park on High Street."

The applicants will now consider the reasons for the council's refusal before deciding whether to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

Will shortage of public WCs prove a little inconvenient this Easter for holiday visitors (and for local traders)?

Trees  shrubs and lawns have been removed to make way for hard surfacing

WORD is awaited from North East Lincolnshire Council on what provision, if any, is to be made for public to access free-to-use WCs ahead of the start of the 2026 holiday season.

In previous years, there have been temporary relocatable conveniences in either Dolphin Gardens or Pier Gardens, but it may not necessarily be so this spring and summer.

If there is a shortage, there will be pressure - almost certainly unwelcome - on local cafes, pubs and even other traders to make their facilities available to allcomers.

In the meantime, tourism chiefs will be monitoring what  impact higher fuel prices might have on visitor numbers over Easter.  

Of note, too, will be the visitor response to the fact that the whole of  Pier Gardens is currently out of bounds while contractors Maylim crack on with converting  it to what NELC - somewhat unappealingly - say  will be a "multifunctional" area. 

It seems some Alexandra Road traders are very unhappy about the project - not least because it will take as long as 15 months to complete, and prior  consultation has, they say, been modest to non-existent.

In the past, their businesses have been boosted by pedestrians crossing from Central Promenade to their premises via the Gardens, but this is not possible while the works continue.

Temporary loos were in place during summer last year 

 

Engineering firm signs three-year deal to be front-of-shirt sponsor to Grimsby Town

                                                         

Executives of Blackrow Group with Grimsby Town's chief operating officer, Polly Bancroft

 

A NEW name will appear on the front of Grimsby Town's first team matchday kits next season.

The club has announced that The Blackrow Group, will be front-of-shirt sponsor on a three-year deal from the 2026–27 season.

Says a Mariners' spokesperson: "The agreement marks a significant expansion of the partnership between the Mariners and the Grimsby-based engineering business, who first joined the club as sleeve sponsor ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

"Established for more than 45 years, Blackrow Group has grown from its local roots into a highly respected engineering and fabrication business operating across the UK and internationally. 

"The company provides specialist  solutions to a wide range of industries including Food and Beverage, Chemical, Petrochemical, Renewables and Oil & Gas."

The amount Blackrow will be paying the club has not been revealed. 

Blackrow succeeds Myenergi, though the latter will retain its links with the football club by sponsoring the training kits.

Warm wishes for a speedy recovery extended to two councillors who are on long-term sick leave

                                                           

Cllr Keith Brookes

WARM wishes have been extended to two North East Lincolnshire councillors who are on long-term sick leave.

Former council leader Cllr Keith Brookes (Con, Haverstoe), an authority veteran, has not attended a meeting since October 7 last year.

Meanwhile, Cllr Marion Jervis (Lab, Croft Baker), a relative newcomer to the authority, has not attended a meeting for at least 12 months.

At the March meeting of the full council, both Oliver Freeston (Reform, Croft Baker) and Cllr Tim Mickleburgh (Lab, South) expressed their hopes that the duo are on the mend and might return to their civic responsibilities before too long.

Under the terms of the Local Government Act, any member, who, for six months, fails to attend any meeting of the authority ceases to be a member unless within that period his/her absence is approved by the authority. 

At this week's NELC meeting, members approved a "dispensation", permitting Cllr Brookes and Cllr Jervis to remain councillors pending their recovery.

                                                                          

Cllr Marian Jervis

Gone to pot! Councillors ponder the woeful state of many of North East Lincolnshire's roads

                                                          

Cllr Steve Beasant: cyclists in peril

AN alert has been sounded on the risk posed to cyclists by the many potholes that exist on North East Lincolnshire's roads.

At a full meeting of the council, former mayor Cllr Steve Beasant (Lib-Dem, East Marsh) claimed that potholes close to road edges tended to be of lower repair priority than those nearer the centre.

Pinpointing one such hole on Durban Road, Grimsby, he said that  cyclists were likely to be  unaware of its existence when it filled with rain.

"We could have a death on our hands," he warned.

During the debate, Cllr Karl Wilson (Lab, West Marsh) revealed that he had faced a £100 repair bill to a car wheel following an unhappy encounter with a pothole while driving in the Park ward.

Cllr Malcolm Morland (Lab, Croft Baker) called for more flexibility in the authority's repairs schedule so that these could be carried out on an area or ward basis rather than a pothole-by-pothole basis.

Portfolio holder for transport Cllr Stewart Swinburn (Con, Immingham) agreed that it was "ridiculous" for teams to carry out three repairs on one side of a road, only to disregard two on the other side.

Revealing tensions with senior highways officers, he told the meeting: "I challenge them on a daily basis - and they know it." 

Earlier, the portfolio holder presented a report in which he said many of the potholes had occurred during the cold snap in early January when road surfaces had frozen, then thawed, in quick time, following which there had also been frequent rainfall.

This observation did not greatly impress Cllr  Kathryn Wheatley (Lab, West Marsh)  who said: "I don't think residents need a report telling them what the weather was like in winter - they live here."

During the debate, there was criticism of   the quality of some of the repairs and calls for an action plan outlining how NELC was spending the £3-million it had recently been funded by Whitehall for pothole repairs and resurfacing.

Cllr Swinburn said he intended for his officers to compile  a weekly update on repairs - both completed and proposed - for publication on the council's website. 

Former day nursery in Grimsby's Rutland Street could become a hot food takeaway

A FORMER day nursery in Grimsby could be converted to a hot food takeaway premises.

An application has been submitted for change of use of the property once occupied by the Leap Ahead pre-school organisation  at 226 Rutland Street.

If North East Lincolnshire Council planners give the green light, a flue would be installed to divert food smells from nearby homes.

Pending a decision, Anglian Water have called for information about proposed drainage arrangements.

Bring on the big acts! Green light for expansion of Meridian Showground's audience capacity

                                                      

CONFIRMATION has come that the maximum capacity of the Meridian Showground in Cleethorpes is likely to be increased from the present figure of 5,000 to almost 15,000.

North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio for leisure, Cllr Hayden Dawkins, made the announcement at last night's full meeting of the authority.

The proposal has hinged on a  plan to manage traffic and parking arrangements in the case of huge crowds descending on Cleethorpes

to see big acts.

And, earlier this week, a Traffic Management Plan was formally rubber-stamped. 

NELC's leisure supremo Helen Thompson and colleagues believe larger capacity is essential to "cater to the demands of larger-scale events and unlock its true potential".

A report states: "Many event organisers are seeking venues capable of accommodating larger audiences, and increasing capacity would give the potential to attract and host these events successfully. 

"A larger capacity at the Meridian Showground could position the area as a premier destination capable of hosting major gatherings and concerts, thereby attracting more visitors and driving economic growth. 

"Major events often require venues with substantial capacity to accommodate attendees, participants, and vendors. 

"Expanding the maximum capacity to 15,000 would position the area to attract high-profile events that could significantly boost our resort’s visibility and reputation regionally and even nationally. 

"This could increase the revenue potential from hire bookings, concessions, and sponsorships. 

"Larger attendances translate to increased spending on accommodation, dining and local attractions, benefiting not only the resort but also the surrounding businesses and community." 

The report adds: "Larger events bring people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging. 

"Expanding the capacity of the Meridian Showground could  create more opportunities for residents and visitors to come together, celebrate and enjoy shared experiences, strengthening the fabric of our community."

Completed in 2009, the showground occupies four acres of mostly grassland.

No details have yet been published about how the showground will be expanded to accommodate larger gatherings.