Proposal to extend hotel still on hold following objections from Environment Agency and Anglian Water

                                                   

Flood risk is among the issues holding up plans to extend the Premier Inn

JUST over 12 months after it submitted an application to extend its Premier Inn in Cleethorpes, owners Whitbread are still awaiting a planning decision.

The proposal is to demolish the former Brewers Fayre restaurant in favour of a three-storey accommodation block, smaller restaurant and bar.

However, the main stumbling blocks to consent has been an objection from the Environment Agency pending submission of an "acceptable" flood risk assessement given the site's proximity to the Buck Beck.

Earlier this month such an assessment was supplied by the applicant but the EA has not yet said whether the assessment meets it concerns.

Meanwhile, an objection has also been sounded by Anglian Water because there is a 1600mm  sewer crossing the site and within the curtilage of the proposed building

It says any extension to the hotel needs to be "located in areas of public open space and/or adoptable highways to ensure on-going maintenance and access is possible". 

The applicaton remains under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

Just what the kiddies ordered - springtime date at Grimsby Auditorium for Peppa Pig and family

                                                         

It's destination Grimsby for Peppa Pig and family. The show based on the animated TV characters is coming to the auditorium on March 3 and March 4 as part of a UK tour which began last night in Llandudno and ends in Tunbridge Wells on May 4. More details from peppapiglivecom 

                                                              

Fancy that! Green bin waste collected in North East Lincolnshire over year weighs sames as 400 whales!

 

A much valued service - binmen on the go

AN update on recycling in North East Lincolnshire has revealed that residents have recycled 24,050 tonnes of plastic, cans, cardboard, paper and glass over the past 12 months

This is almost 4,000 tonnes more than last year and weighs the same as around 8 million bricks!

Throughout 2025, bottles, cans, glass, cardboard and paper were recycled in the blue and grey bins. 

From empty bottles at New Year’s Eve parties to the mayhem of wrapping paper at Christmas, everything adds up.

Additionally, 42,000 tonnes of waste was collected in the green bins throughout the year – the equivalent weight of  around 400 blue whales.

Developers keen to press ahead with 3,500-homes project on farmland alongside River Freshney

Enough land to accommodate a village - but is that desirable?

CRUNCH time looms for  the controversial proposal to create a new suburban village on farmland outside Grimsby.

A planning application has now been submitted to build up to 3,500 homes on land between the A1136 and  A46 roads to the west of the town.

Agents for the project state: "The site is a relatively modest area within the extensive Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes.

"The scheme has the potential to bring benefits to this overall area including increased biodiversity, a softer edge to the development edge to Grimsby with large woodland blocks and creation of a country park along the Freshney Valley.

"Creation of a mosaic of different landscape types including woodland, grassland and wetland are part of overall green infrastructure proposals."

A tree survey has identified 113 individual trees and 44 groups/hedges. 

Of these, just sixteen trees/groups were identified as for retention - one of them being a mature elm which is acknowledged as having "elevated arboricultural value".

The survey has also identified a large mature ash tree  as being of "great value to the site".

Of the birds recorded in surveys carried out in summer, autumn and winter, the most interesting were Little Owl, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Curlew (up to 27) and Golden Plover (up to 203).

There is a recommendation that areas of open grassland could be managed to allow a taller sward to create nesting habitat for Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. 

It is thought that the grassland areas would also provide foraging areas for Starling, Curlew, Golden Plover, Carrion Crow and Kestrel. 

The report goes on: "Installing Swift nest-boxes externally at high level under eaves of new buildings on site will encourage this declining summer migrant species to nest. 

"As well as for Swifts, these boxes are known to also be used by other cavity nesting species such as starling and house sparrow. 

"Installing specific nest-cups for use by house martin at a high level, under the eaves of new buildings on site will encourage this red-listed species to use the buildings for nesting."

There are likely to be numerous objections to the proposal, and the applicants, Harworth Estates, will also have to demonstrate that they have addressed not just biodiversity and landscape concerns, but also those of flood risk and potential pollution to the River Freshney.

It is unlikely that the application will be determined until this summer at the earliest. 

                                    

Is there  a risk that the River Freshney and its wildlife might be put in jeopardy?

Artist's impression of how the street scene might look if the project goes ahead

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12/11/2025 

Lloyds Bank unveils proposed makeover for signage on its premises in Grimsby's Top Town

   

The signage as it is now

Lloyds Bank has unveiled the external facelift proposed for its premises on Victoria Street in Grimsby. 

The intended replacement will be internally illuminated with the word 'bank' removed. 

Before going ahead, it will need North East Lincolnshire Council planners to give the (racing) green light.  

                                                                           

The signage as it might be soon

Hopes rise that some of Grimsby car park's sculptural panels might be spared a date with the crusher

                                             

Contractors will seek to save at least some of the sculptures

 

EFFORTS will be made to save some of the sculptural panels that have been put at risk by ongoing demolition of  Grimsby's Abbey Walk car park.

North East Lincolonshire Council had come under fire for not having done more to safeguard the panels which are part of the post-war heritage of the town.

Although he has not made a fuss, the sculptor, Harold Gosney, is known to have been disapppointed that all his creative andf time-consuming work risked ending up as rubble.

Following talks between NELC and the contractors, GBM,  it has emerged that efforts will be made to save at least some of the panels.

Says NELC cabinet member Cllr Stewart Swinburn: "The sculptures weigh between one and two tonnes each, so manual removal is not an option - removal will have to be attempted mechanically."

However, he cautions: "There are several risks, and they may be damaged in the process."

Assuming they can be saved, it is not clear where the panels might be relocated.   

Controversy bubbles up over proposal to change use of former cycle shop to hot food premises

 

The property at the centre of the rumpus

A PROPOSAL to change the use of a former bicycle shop in Cleethorpes seems to have sparked a bit of a brouhaha.

Opposition  to the plan to convert 21 High Street  to a restaurant and hot food takeaway has largely been along the lines that this part of town already has sufficient  similar premises.

But a resident of Brooklands Avenue maintains that objectors are generally those who have interests in other takeaways and thus do not want further competition.

In a forthright submission to North East Lincolnshire Council, she writes: "I give my full and unequivocal support to this application.

"This unit has been left empty for years, serving no purpose whatsoever. 

"An empty shop does nothing for the High Street except signal decline, neglect and a lack of ambition.

"The objections raised are transparent and self-serving. 

"It is common knowledge locally that the majority of takeaways along this stretch are owned or controlled by a very small number of individuals. 

"This is about suppressing competition, pure and simple."

She continues: "The planning system should not be hijacked to protect monopolies or personal interests.

"Many of the existing operations offer extremely poor-quality food and service, contributing little to the reputation of the area.

"If operators are worried about competition, the answer is to raise standards, not attempt to block new entrants through questionable objections.

"Cleethorpes does not benefit from empty shops, cartel behaviour or scare tactics - it benefits from new businesses, fair competition, and progress."

The application is under consideration by NELC's planning department with a decision expected before Easter.