Council leader upbeat about proposed housing project that will sit next to Grimsby's Alexandra Dock

                                            

Bird's eye view of the brownfield site which is close to Alexandra Dock

SOME 130 new homes could be built on a brownfield site between the Fishing Heritage Centre and the Youth Zone project building.

This follows fruitful talks between North East Lincolnshire Council, regeneration agency Homes England and developers.

Today, this announcement came from NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson: "We want to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a an attractive urban living setting 

"Grimsby and the rest of the borough must develop as a region where people want to live and work. Otherwise, we risk stagnating.

"There is still a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight, but we are working to improve Grimsby town centre as a whole."

Slightly disappointing is that the homes  on the 6.25-acre site will apparently not be built by a Grimsby-area firm.

Instead, the contract has been awarded to Hull-based Keepmoat Homes which is expected to submit an  application for planning consent early in the New Year if not sooner.

Another aerial view of the 6.25-acre site

An artist's impression of another Keepmoat development - this one earmarked for a site on its home turf  in Hull 

                                   

New setback for Pleasure Island project as Government body sounds alert on shorebirds threats

                                        

The beaches and saltmarsh are home to globally-threatened birds such as the curlew (above) and redshank

NATURAL England has warned that it may object to proposals to redevelop the former Pleasure Island theme park because of potential disturbance to globally-important  shorebirds that feed on the beaches and saltmarsh of Cleethorpes and Humberston.

The project envisages installation of no fewer than 272 holiday lodges, each capable of accommodating up to 10 visitors.

NE, which is a Government body, believes the influx of so many people - most with recreational aspirations - could spook the curlew, redshank, godwits, grey plover and other declining species which make the estuary their home.

In a letter, NE's James McGiveron states: "As submitted, the application could have  significant effects on the Humber Estuary Special Area of Conservation.

"We require further information in order to determine the significance of these impacts and the scope for mitigation." 

The following information is required:

• A full year of bird survey data;

• Further information on visual/noise disturbance to specially protected birds during construction and operation

• Further assessment on potential air quality impacts  from dust during construction and road traffic during operation

Mr McGiveron adds: "Without this information, Natural England may need to object to the proposal. 

"Please note we are not seeking further information on other aspects of the natural environment, although we may make comments on other issues in our final response. 

"Please re-consult Natural England once this information has been obtained. 

"On receipt of the information requested, we will aim to provide a full response within 21 days of receipt."

Natural England's comments will be a blow to the consortium seeking to redevelop Pleasure Island.

It could set back  the project for at least another year, with no certainty that, even with mitigation proposals, it will be approved. And all the while, the costs keep climbing.

However, the consortium - which is fronted by German discount supermarket chain Lidl - could take a risk by asking for North East Lincolnshire Council to determine the application without receiving prior Natural England endorsement.

* Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Civic Society has this week also expressed misgivings about the proposal. In a note to NELC, it states: "We are concerned both about the loss of the public right of way from North Sea Lane roundabout area to the Meridian car park and the serious loss of wildlife habitats between the beck and Meridian Road. We cannot support this  application."

Yobbos rip out plants and compost in overnight spree of destruction alongside River Freshney

                                                               

Upturned compost litters the walkway following the overnight havoc 

 

SCORES of plants, put into baskets along the River Freshney  have been ripped up in an overnight trail of destruction.

The team at Projekt Renewable - the renewables hub located next to Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre - arrived this morning  to find that all the £1,000-worth of plants in 80 containers had been pulled out.

The containers, which line the riverbank, were left empty with just soil scattered on the ground. 

Each one of the containers is personalised with the name of the child who planted it (more than 100 young people were involved).

Now there is a plea for local people, communities or commercial gardeners, garden or DIY centres to rally around if they could possibly donate to ensure the boxes are filled back in again. 

The money for the original planting had come from sponsorship by The Crown Estate to encourage children to learn about natural habitat and biodiversity

Exasperated Projekt director Richard Askam, said: "I am simply lost for words.

"This act may have destroyed the planters , but it will not have tarnished the memory the children have of creating them or the skills they learnt on the day."

He continued: "People may well be quick to say ‘well, what did you expect?’, but if no one tried, nothing will change. 

"We will keep replanting, and keep working to make our pocket of Grimsby something special for the very people who created these planters in the first place."

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Safer Towns and Communities team are reviewing CCTV and looking at what measures can be taken to improve security in that area. 

If anyone can support Projekt Renewable and get these planters blooming again, please contact Richard by email at richard@projektrenewable.com

Cleethorpes Boating Lake voted one of top ten seaside attractions in England and Wales

                                                                   

Part of the heritage of Cleethorpes - the boating lake area is a hit with residents and visitors alike 

 

CLEETHORPES Boating Lake and its leafy surroundings have been listed as Top Ten seaside location.

According to an organisation called the Seaside Heritage Network, visitors voted for it on the basis of the relaxed atmosphere, the birdlife and its accessibility for disabled people.

The boating lake dates back to 1928. it proved so popular that it was quickly doubled in size. 

Says Dr Kathryn Ferry, a founder member of the Seaside Heritage Network: "Our winners this year are not the usual suspects

"Seaside heritage is not always the grand or obvious. 

"They are often distinctive attractions that make their location unique and are highly valued by residents and visitors alike."

The full list is:

1. New Palace and Adventureland, New Brighton

2. Ventnor Paddling Pool, Isle of Wight

3. Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

4. St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

5. Leas Lift, Folkestone, Kent

6. Punch & Judy booth, Swanage

7. Cleethorpes Lakeside Area, Lincolnshire

8. Showtown Museum, Blackpool

9. Grand Hotel, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

10. Great Orme Tramway & Goats, Llandudno, Conwy

Continues Dr Ferry: "Several themes came out in the comments from voters, and the sense of continuity these places and experiences provide was key. 

"People have a great nostalgia for the things they enjoyed in childhood, and they delight in  the opportunity to pass that on to the next generation.

"Our winners were routinely praised for their family focus and friendly staff too. 

"We firmly believe that embracing the power of seaside heritage to connect with people anew can help coastal places blighted by social and economic problems.

"It is brilliant to have such a varied and cherished Top Ten."

That's it, then! Buildings that once housed exotic birds and animal reduced to a few heaps of rubble

Any hopes that Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes might rise up like a phoenix from the ashes have now been dashed. The menagerie closed a couple of years ago. Then, earlier this year, the buildings and aviaries that once housed the animals and birds were badly  damaged by fire. Thought to be beyond repair, they have now been demolished. Word is that the site has been acquired for some alternative leisure use, but further information is awaited.

Fancy that! Wallet discovered 30 years after it was dropped at Grimsby's Fishing Heritage Centre

Undiscovered for 30 years - who is owner of the wallet found under an exhibit? 

    

ANYONE lost a wallet - 30 years ago? 

During maintenance work at the  Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, the leather wallet was found tucked in a corner under  the moving trawler exhibit.

Inside it were such items as a train ticket from 1992 - a year after the heritage centre opened -  a student nursing card and even a letter informing the owner that a library book was overdue. 

There were also several photographs plus a beer mat with telephone numbers written on it.

Now the heritage centre  would like to reunite the wallet with its mystery owner who, it is reckoned, is probably now in his 50s. 

The centre can be contacted at: 01472 323345.

                                            

A nice piece of leather - the closed wallet

What can be done to breathe new life into Top Town's market? Will the vibrancy of yesteryear ever return?

                                      

Two customers - were they the only two? - head into the market hall earlier today.   

A SHORTAGE of customers and traders is continuing to cast a shadow over the market hall in Grimsby's Top Town.

The latest figures reveal that  the occupancy levels for between April and June this year was just 32.5 per cent. 

This represents a  decline of  4 per cent compared with the previous three months.

A  North East Lincolnshire Council report states: "Traders indicated the reason for terminating their licence was due to difficult trading conditions and a reduced footfall. 

"The market received four enquiries in this period, with two traders progressing with a licence, but  with only one continuing to trade and take advantage of the trader rent incentive scheme."

It continues: "A review of the incentive schemes to attract new traders to the market has been undertaken, and options to increase the offer period is being considered. 

"The pop-up incentive scheme has remained in place to give new or young traders the opportunity to trade on the market and test new products before taking on a licence. 

"We are also liaising with the National Markets Trader Federation to understand opportunities to engage young market traders and attract new traders from the wider region.

"The markets social media activity continues to publish regular posts, promoting the market rent incentive schemes, our traders and their products and services. 

"Some market traders have offered a 10 per cent discount to businesses located in the town centre to encourage shopping on the market. 

"The market team has supported local events by providing gazebos and offering events space on the market. 

"An up-and-coming charity supporting and offering advice for children suffering with kidney disease  held a coffee morning to help promote the charity, utilising the stall space dedicated to local charities." 

The council has medium-term plans to build a new market hall, but is there evidence to suggest that this will be any busier than the one it is intended to replace?                                                

The brutal sharpness of the fluorescent strip lighting scarcely makes for the most alluring of destinations