Council leader's plea over development threat to 'mature trees and wildlife' near where he lives

Scenic - this photo has been submitted by the applicants to support the proposal

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson has joined the clamour of protest over a proposal for a development in a green and leafy village on the outskirts of Grimsby.

His is among scores of objections to a plan by a Binbrook couple to build a luxury house, with garage and driveway, on land adjacent to The Old Rectory on Main Road in Ashby-cum-Fenby.

In a submission to NELC's planning department, Cllr Jackson, who is ward  representative, says:  "This would be  over-intensive development on a key heritage site within the village. 

"It would  have an adverse  effect on the street scene. 

"The access and egress will be at the narrowest part of Main Road and  will present a highways safety issue."

The council leader continues: "There will be an adverse effect on mature trees and well-established wildlife. 

"The village infrastructure, especially the drainage system. will be overburdened."

Cllr Jackson, who lives in nearby Barnoldby-le-Beck, certainly has a point about the wildlife - the network of ponds on the site provide one of the last breeding habitats in the borough for rare great crested newts.

It is also incredibly rich in finches, warblers and other songbirds.

However, having carried out surveys, the applicants are confident that their project will be sufficiently sympathetic as to cause minimum disruption to existing nature.

The proposal is due to be considered at NELC's planning committee tomorrow, Wednesday (June 10) with a recommendation from case officer Bethany Loring that it should be approved.

Says she:  "The proposal for one dwelling on this development site is acceptable in this residential area. 

"It is considered it can be achieved without harm to the character of the area and  street scene, and it would not give rise to detrimental impacts in terms of residential  amenity, highway safety or drainage."

                                      

Great crested newts like living in  Ashby-cum Fenby. (Photo: Rainer Theuer via Wikimedia Commons)

 

What can be done to make life safer for cyclists on North East Lincolnshire's roads?

Cllr Swinburn - exploring all options 

AN assurance has been given that  North East Lincolnshire Council is committed  to the welfare of the borough's cyclists.

It is an increasingly chunky bone of contention among the pedalling community that their safety appears to have slipped down the authority's traffic and transport agenda.

There are some stretches of dedicated cycle lanes, but many are riddled with potholes or obstructed by parked cars, creating risk to life and limb.

It is a particular worry how frequently motorists disregard the importance of allowing a 1.5 metre distance as they overtake.

During a question-and-answer forum on  Facebook, transport portfolio holder Cllr Stewart Swinburn acknowledged the concerns and said he was working with partner organisations such as the police to improve the situation.

In particular, he was addressing how to raise awareness among other road-users and to upgrading or reconfiguring road layout and signage.

"Action may take time, but we are exploring all options," he insisted.

"Just to save one life would make it all worthwhile - I am committed to a safer situation for all cyclists."

  

Why aren't there more women and young people in North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet?

Cllr Cracknell - only woman in NELC cabinet

A PROTEST about the lack of diversity in NELC's Conservative cabinet came up this evening during a live question-and-answer session  on the Facebook social media platform Facebook.

At present, all are thought be in their  late 50s or older, and only one - Haverstoe ward representative, Cllr Margaret Cracknell - is female.

Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson replied that he had appointed "the best people for the job" with each of the individual portfolios.

However, he acknowledged that it was obvious looking around the cabinet table that almost all were "men of a certain age".

He continued: "Ideally, the cabinet would be  more diverse with more women and some young people, but at present I am fully confident I have the right people in the right posts."

There followed a brief discussion in which the leader's cabinet colleagues theorised about how to encourage more people to become involved with local politics.

Judge rules that controversial indoor salmon farm can go ahead - but will investors stump up the cash?

 

The grassy site proposed for the controversial salmon-rearing project

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for an onshore salmon farm off North Promenade in Cleethorpes has been rubber-stamped by a High Court judge.

It was back in November 2023 that  North East Lincolnshire Council planners approved the £120-million project which, if it proceeds, could create up to 300 jobs.

The planning decision was challenged  by the campaign group, Animal Equality, which successfully sought a judicial review, claiming that the planning committee had failed to take into account of the welfare of the fish.

However, after considering submissions from both the council and Animal Equality,  High Court, Judge Karen Ridge has found in favour of the former, ruling that it had observed correct procedures in reaching its decision.

With the planning decision in the bag, the applicants, Aquacultured Seafood Ltd, can now revive its efforts to secure sufficient funds to proceed with the project.

All-clear for National Coastwatch to site surveillance station outside Cleethorpes Leisure Centre

 

On the look-out for emergency incidents - a National Watch volunteer

THE organisation National Coastwatch has been given the all-clear to site a look-out station on the car park at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre 

North East Lincolnshire Council planners have granted temporary consent for the next 12 months.

The surveillance station will be accommodated within a modified twin-axle trailer measuring7.4m x 2.4m x 2.5m.

Says a report on the project: "The station will allow  two to four watchkeepers to observe beach and water-users at any one time during daylight hours, 365 days a year.

"Observations will also be made via two fixed cameras attached to the roof of  the  pier building on the  and the Fitties Yacht Club in Humberston."

National Coastwatch  is a charity which monitors the coastline to alert emergency services early to any incidents. 

The watchkeepers will also enjoy excellent view of the wildfowl and wading birds that flock to this part of the Lincolnshire Coast between August and March. 

The report notes that "the unit has the capabilities to informally provide information on the ecology in the area  such as bird sightings for any volunteers who may be interested in adding to local knowledge".

NELC says the number of car parking spaces to be lost will be small.

Theoretically, the volunteers would also be able to monitor breaches of by-laws such as dogs being walked on the beach in summer, but this not part of their brief.

The unit will provide watchkeepers with expansive views over the estuary

Waders in flight over the estuary in late summer last year

                                    

Just what the doctor ordered! Whitehall funding could secure precious improvements to hospital

                                                           

Grimsby hospital in line for useful funding boost 

 

THERE are hopes that monies could soon be available for important repairs to the fabric and fixtures at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

Along with Scunthorpe General Hospital, it is in line for £5.83-million funding from the Department of Health.                                  

A statement from the Department says: "More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750-million to tackle long-term problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues.

"This will help to prevent thousands of cancelled operations and appointments."

The figure of £5.83-million for the two local hospitals has not been specified in the statement, but it is the one briefed  to Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn.   

Health Secretary Wes Streeting says: "Past underinvestment has left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity.   

"We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation."   

Councillors could be in for a bit of a grilling when they field questions live on Facebook

                                                     

Will Grimsby's Corporation Road Bridge ever re-open? This could be one of the questions on June 9 

THERE will be a chance to quiz North East Lincolnshire Council leaders later this month.

At 6.30pm on Monday,  June 9, council leader Cllr Philip Jackson and his cabinet colleagues will be fielding questions via the social media platform,  Facebook.

Says a NELC spokesperson: "There’s lots happening in the years ahead - and the council is playing a pivotal role in most of that change.

"Grimsby and Cleethorpes will be transformed with major grant-supported regeneration schemes and Freshney Place will continue to be redeveloped under council ownership"

Says Cllr Jackson said: "It is important that people know they have the opportunity to ask my colleagues me about the decisions we make that will impact on their lives both now and in the future.

"We will listen to what they say and try to answer any questions they ask.

"Others may have issues to raise and points to make that we can take away to consider."

Some of the questions could be tricky.

In Grimsby, for instance, the Riverhead revamp has been underwhelming and repairs to Corporation Road Bridge still have not been completed.

In Cleethorpes. three schemes  have all stalled. These are:

* The Sea Road amenity building

* The redesign of  Market Place

* The hard-surfacing of  Pleasure Gardens

There is also concern about the future of the libraries service which some, rightly or wrongly,  fear is at risk of being 'dumbed down' or even gradually dismantled. 

Any questions should be pre-submitted  to  communications@nelincs.gov.uk

Cabinet members will endeavour to answer all questions on the night.