A day to rise above the political fray - to unite in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice

    HUMBERSTON

   WALTHAM 

         

                                                          

  NEW WALTHAM

      

  CLEETHORPES

Proposed revamp of 138-year-old Pier Gardens could lead to loss of trees, shrubs and songbirds

'Regeneration' scheme may put existing trees, shrubs and flowerbeds in peril

AN uncertain future beckons for trees and shrubs in Pier Gardens adjacent to Central Promenade in Cleethorpes.

They are at risk of being forfeited to make way for a £5.3-million 'regeneration' project aimed at providing "a variety of recreational uses including exciting new family-focused activities". 

North East Lincolnshire Council hopes to appoint a landscape architect and a project manager early in the New Year.

Says council leader Cllr Philip Jackson: "Cleethorpes has a wealth of assets that can enable it to be at the forefront of regeneration. 

"Opened in 1885, Pier Gardens’ location is at the heart of the resort and the scope for re-development is vast. 

"The area  presents a unique opportunity to create a space that will become an attraction for residents and visitors alike. 

"The linear park raised above Central Promenade is a hidden and an underutilised gem of a public green space that could offer so much more."

The council insists  the scheme will also "introduce wildlife friendly plant spaces, enhancing biodiversity".

However, it has not stated how these spaces could realistically accommodated in an area designated for recreational uses.

Resident songbird species - and some scarce migrants - will also be put in jeopardy if their green and leafy habitat is depleted.

The authority says the  revamp will also provide the "foundation for a green corridor" linking Sea Road, the Market Place and St Peter's  Avenue.

For foliage read hard sufacing! The preliminary design unveiled last year by consultants Hemingway Design reveals how the gardens and adjacent parts of Central Promenade could be almost denuded of existing trees and shrubs 

Boost for Cleethorpes salmon farm company as Natural England signals all-clear on wildlife front

Site of the proposed salmon-rearing project 

THERE has been a boost for the firm seeking to build an indoor salmon-rearing 'farm' on wildlife habitat between Grimsby Town FC's Blundell Park ground and the Humber Estuary wall.

Natural England has this week announced that it will not be lodging an objection.

The Government body states: "It is not considered that the proposed development will have significant adverse impacts on the Humber Estuary designated sites Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area."

Neither the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nor the RSPB has commented on the proposal, though the latter's Grimsby group is maintaining a watching brief. 

It is not known if North East Lincolnshire Council's ecology officer will make any recommendations.

The application, which has generated intense controversy (see earlier posts), is likely to be determined by North East Lincolnshire Council planners early in the New Year.

                                          

                                        

Time for North East Lincolnshire Council to get its act together on out-of-order Riverhead fountain

 

Here's hoping the fountain at Grimsby's Riverhead will be back in action soon. It literally brought sparkle and freshness to the town centre, but it has not been operating since summer. It is not known if the shut-down has been caused by a fault, by antisocial behaviour or simply to save money. But if North East Lincolnshire Council is unable to maintain a fountain, it does not inspire much faith in its other proposals for this part of town. 

Remembering the glory days of fishing industry - two trawler pictures set to go under hammer at Louth sale

The Grimsby Town (left)

BIDDING is likely to be brisk when two pictures depicting Grimsby trawlers go under the hammer at auction next week.

One (Lot 483) , an oil on canvas, is by artist Keith Baldock. Can anyone remember the Grimsby Town?

The other (Lot 484) is a limited edition print of The Northern Sun by Adrian Thompson.

The sale is being conducted on Tuesday November 14 by John Taylors at their saleroom in Kidgate, Louth.

The pre-sale estimate of the former is £50-100, but none has been set for the latter.

The Northern Sun

Bridge of nightmares! Red lights flashing at council as costs for corrosion repairs go through roof

 

'Corrosion Bridge' - are council's repair costs out of control?  

A CRUNCH  debate on the Corporation Bridge repair project is to be held next week.

With costs escalating, North East Lincolnshire councillors are increasingly fearful that the expensive scheme could become a local equivalent of the HS2 rail debacle.   

The original budget for the bridge's restoration was £4.967-million.

The Department of Transport agreed to pay the lion's share, with the council stumping up £1.83-million - about 40 per cent of the total.

The funding was approved by the cabinet in May 2020, but because of lockdown delays, work did not start until February this year.

It was hoped that the project would be completed by contractors Hull-based Spencer Engineering by the end of this year, but it was not to be.

All the while, there has been immense disruption to traffic in Grimsby, and no new target date has been set for completion.

A report seen by the Grimsby News pinpoints the reasons for the cost escalation thus:

*Price increases due to inflation, coupled with extensive unforeseen steelwork repairs being identified to the underside of the bridge

*Additional assessment and design work for replacement of steelwork components

* Hand working around Northern Powergrid cables and other items in relation to unforeseen repairs

At Wednesday evening's meeting, the cabinet  will have little choice but to approve further expenditure.

A note to members states: "Due to the extent of works required to repair and replace sections of corroded steelwork previously unforeseen, additional funding is now required to enable the full refurbishment to be completed."

The amount of extra funding sought is being kept under wraps, but, even when approved, it might not be enough.

The note continues: "Until completion of the assessment and design work for replacement of steelwork components to the underneath of the six spans of the bridge, the full extent and costs of the repairs will not be known. 

"The costs may be greater if the deterioration of the steel is worse than envisaged."

In the meantime - which gets meaner all the time - the traffic disruption will continue.

The Grimsby News says: This is an alarming situation. North East Lincolnshire Council should have insisted on greater clarity before undertaking the project. It seems to have been oblivious to the financial risks. Was there sufficient rigour in its assessment of the various quotes? The authority is already strapped for cash. Now it faces another big hit - one that could, in the worst case, bring it to its knees.  Regardless of the impact on its own reputation for competence, the losers will be precious welfare services and, of course, the long-suffering council taxpayer.

New headache for Pleasure Island consortium as fresh concerns raised over wildlife welfare

Sunlight through the trees on an autumn day at former theme park - but is there light at end of tunnel for developers?

THERE has been a fresh setback to a longstanding  scheme to redevelop  the former Pleasure Island theme park on the edge of Cleethorpes.

A consortium led by supermarket chain Lidl wants to clear the site, including almost all the trees and shrubs, to make way for a discount supermarket, 272 holiday 'lodges', a games arcade and, eventually, two hotels.

But the Government body, Natural England, has this week again warned that it "may need to oppose the application".

This is because the consortium's agents have so far been unable to provide evidence that their client  has either the will or the capacity to safeguard the birds and other wildlife - both on the site and on the neighbouring shoreline which is a designated Special Protection Area. 

It is insisting that much more ecological survey work is required - work that will be expensive and take months, if not years, to complete.

Even then, there is no guarantee that it will meet Natural England's stipulations.

Specific NE concerns include:

* Noise  disturbance 

* After dark light spill

* Air contamination from dust during construction and road traffic during operation

* Holidaymakers spilling on to sensitive shoreline habitat to partake of watersport activities

* Provision of a suitably qualified wildlife ranger/warden and staff

Natural England is not convinced either that the consortium's  proposed policy of banning dogs will be steadfast.

It is seeking assurances both on "how this would be secured and on the enforceability of it for the lifespan of the development". 

In determining the application, North East Lincolnshire Council is not compelled to abide by Natural England's stipulation, but it would risk significant reputational damage if it were to show wilful disregard for the welfare of nature and the advice of a Government body.

There is also another abiding headache for the consortium. 

Despite talks, there is no indication yet that the Environment Agency has withdrawn its longstanding objection over potential flood risk - either from a coastal surge or overtopping of the Buck Beck in the event of extreme rainfall.                                       

The Grimsby News says: This further announcement will add both  to the frustration of the consortium and to the embarrassment of its agents, Lichfields, who are evidently not even close to seeing the project through to completion. Something could snap. It would not be at all surprising if, alas for the applicants, the current scheme collapses, possibly sooner rather than later, especially given the current unpropitious state of the economic climate.