NELC's tourism chief foresees conflict if noisy activities, such as funfairs, at the showground cause disturbance to occupants of adjacent holiday lodges
THE head of tourism at North East Lincolnshire Council has described the proposed redevelopment of Pleasure Island as a "missed opportunity to include family-friendly leisure options and activities on the site".
Helen Thompson supports the development consortium's plans to encourage cycling and angling, but is disappointed at the absence of detail on a proposed "formal outdoor area for transient leisure activities".
The tourism supremo has also identified potential problems relating to:
* The Meridian Road-Marine Walk access.
* The adjacent showground.
In a report, she states: "Meridian Road is not part of the adopted highway.
"It is a single track with very few passing points to allow two cars to pass safely, and this will cause congestion.
"This road is not equipped to take extra traffic for a dedicated entrance to a large leisure park."
Ms Thompson continues: "The showground is becoming increasingly popular with more events.
"One of the council’s tourism objectives is to extend the event schedule to provide a year-round offer to generate positive economic benefits for the wider tourism sector in Cleethorpes.
"We note that there will be a number of lodges in close proximity to the fencing of the showground.
" There will be music events and outdoor cinema screenings, and, when the fun fair is booked, it operates all week for 12 hours a day.
"Will any sound barriers be installed between the lodges and the fencing, and will they be installing triple glazing to the lodges to try to reduce the noise?"
Despite her concerns, Ms Thompson insists her department would "welcome" redevelopment of the former theme park.
She concludes: "We will be happy to work with the consortium to ensure that their future visitors have an enjoyable stay in Cleethorpes."
Mission almost accomplished. This is the tanker, Seagrace, sailing up the Humber en route to discharge her cargo of crude oil at the Port of Immingham. It has been a long journey - she set out from Houston in Texas on August 31. Seagrace was built in 2022 and currently sails under the flag of Malta.
The former bank on Sea View Street is being remodelled for new retail and residential use
TWO fascinating photographs (below) of yesteryear have emerged as work continues on a revamp of the former NatWest Bank in Cleethorpes.
The bank, located at 2-5 Sea View Street, was built in 1925 and, having closed a few years ago, thus never reached its centenary year in providing financial services.
But the property has survived and is being converted to a shop on the ground floor with a luxury apartment, boasting superb sea views, on the first and second floors.
In a way, the site will be reverting to its previous life when there were terraced shops and housing before they were demolished to make way for the bank.
The photographs were submitted by agents Ross Davy to North East Lincolnshire Council planners to provide context for the refurbishment project.
The proposal did not go before NELC's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by ebior case oficer Lauren Birkwood.
In her report, she states: "The proposal to change the use of a vacant bank into a retail unit and residential accommodation with associated works is considered to be acceptable and compatible in this area.
"The impacts to the building, to amenity and to the locality are deemed to be acceptable and not adverse.
"Matters relating heritage, including the preservation and enhancement of the Conservation Area, have been assessed and deemed to be satisfactory."
The man behind the project is P. Chester, of the Grimsby-based Chester Investment Group, but no word yet of who might be the first occupants of the revamped bank building.
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| Rewind to the late 1800s before these shops were demolished to make way for the bank |
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| All aboard! A (trolley) bus passes the bank on its way down Alexandra Road at some time in the 1920s |
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| The scenic spot on the banks of the Buck Beck where the consortium wants to build a footbridge |
PLANS by the Pleasure Island consortium to construct a bridge over the Buck Beck have set alarm bells jangling with the Environment Agency.
The Lidl-led investment group wants to build the bridge in order to provide access to its proposed new supermarket from land which is it has earmarked for holiday lodges.
But the EA is unhappy with this proposal.
In a note to North East Lincolnshire Council planners, it states: "We object.
"As submitted in the plans, there is insufficient information to determine whether the bridge would restrict essential maintenance and emergency access to the flood defence or restrict flow in the main river.
"We require continuous access along both banks of the watercourse.
"As a minimum, the bridge should not reduce the cross-sectional area of the channel.
"Further information about the proposed bridge crossing should be submitted, including detailed drawing(s)and supporting text."
The latest hurdle will provide an unexpected new headache for the consortium, especially as it thought it had already compromised its original plans sufficiently to persuade the EA that its proposed development of the theme park had mostly addressed potential flood risk issues.
And if that were not enough, the EA has raised another point of potential concern - this time about a proposed bedroom within the reception building.
It is insisting on an assurance that, as with the 272 lodges, there will be a seasonal restriction on when it can be occupied.
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| Proposed layout of the site. The bridge is shown centre left near the top |
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| Cornflowers, poppies and daisies used to be common on roadside verges and on the edges of playing fields, but now many, if not most, have fallen victim to NELC's application of poisonous chemicals |
A CALL for North East Lincolnshire Council to end the use of chemical herbicides will be made at a meeting next week.
Some 21,968 people have signed an online petition urging the authority to cease applying Glyphosate - commonly known as RoundUp - to wildflowers in its parks, gardens and playing fields and on roadside verges.
Not only do the wildflowers perish but so, too, do butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.
NELC also targets the base of trees to the detriment of blackbirds, thrushes and finches which, if poison-free, like to forage in these places.
The petition is due to be debated at Thursday's meeting of the full council to be held in Cleethorpes Town Hall.
It states: "We, a group of residents, of councillors and of others request NELC to join the growing list of pesticide-free towns and phase-out the use of Glyphosate in favour of non-chemical alternatives that put nature first."
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| How the new building might look - a lot of concrete but also a lot of greenery |
THE boss of Humberston construction firm JemBuild has welcomed its latest contract award - to build the three-storey amenity building proposed for Sea Road in Cleethorpes.
"I am delighted we have secured this fabulous contract with North East Lincolnshire Council," enthuses JemBuild's managing director, Paul Barker.
"We look forward to working with NELC along with our construction partners, Hodson Architects and C2C Structural, plus local suppliers.
"This exciting project will undoubtedly cement its place in the local landscape to become as iconic as its sister building opposite - Cleethorpes Pier."
In recent weeks, JemBuild has been working with NELC to strengthen the retaining wall behind the old beach safety offices.
Once this has been completed, work will start on the main structure.
Other than WCs and changing rooms, it is still not known what will 'amenities' will be within the building, but food and drink will certainly be in the mix.
Earlier in the year, NELC quashed speculation that it might become yet another McDonalds, insisting that it would be a different 'hospitality provider'.
Who might that be? The authority is remaining tight-lipped - or perhaps no deal has yet been clinched.
Says a spokesperson: "Work is ongoing to secure the pre-let agreement for the hospitality provider.
"Its identity will be announced in due course."
In the meantime, can anyone suggest a name for the building once it has been completed?
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| Another artist's impression of the proposed building and its outlook |
