Category Archive News

Public drop-in sessions giving local residents the opportunity to learn more about the consultation on the draft Local Plan review will be held at libraries across the borough.

The face-to-face events are a chance for people to join the conversation on how they want to see their borough grow over the next 20 years. They will begin next Wednesday January 24 and continue throughout February.

The names of all residents of the borough who respond to the consultations from now until Friday 8 March will go into a draw to win £100 of shop local vouchers.

The North East Lincolnshire Local Plan provides a framework for future use of land across the borough. Legislation requires that the council has a Local Plan, and must review it every five years.

There are 156,907 people living in North East Lincolnshire right now and this eight-week consultation gives everyone a chance to get involved.

Many of the policies in the draft Plan are subject to no change or only minor changes to reflect differences in national policy. These are clearly identified in the document.

Some changes are more significant and include revisions to policies related to energy and low carbon living, green spaces and recreation, skills, and affordable housing. New policies are also being considered to recognise changing priorities, such as Green Wedges, to give greater protection to the gaps between settlements in key areas of concern.

The Draft Plan also includes options relating to future requirements for employment and housing, the distribution of sites and the site options.

Changes to the Local Plan, if approved, will not come into effect until 2026, with the existing Local Plan remaining in force until then.

The public drop-in sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Cleethorpes Library, Wednesday January 24 from 10am-1pm;
• Grimsby Library, Thursday February 1 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Immingham Library, Saturday February 3 from 10am-1pm;
• Cleethorpes Library, Tuesday February 20 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Immingham Library, Thursday February 22 from 1pm-4pm;
• Grimsby Library, Saturday February 24 from 9am-1pm.                

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: “It is so important that everyone who lives in the local area gets the opportunity to contribute to the review of our Local Plan because it affects everyone.

“There are so many ways to engage with the consultation process but if you want to come along to our drop-in sessions and chat to people face-to-face and see the plan then please take advantage of these drop-in events.”

The Local Plan is also available to view now by visiting the web-based consultation portal https://nelincs-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/- external site 

Other ways to take part:

• To read an overview and more explanations go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan-review/
• Email any questions or further comments to Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk or write to Equans, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU.
• Paper copies are available to view at: North East Lincolnshire Council, Municipal Offices reception; Gingerbread House, Humberston; Scartho Community Hub; Grimsby Library; Waltham Library; Immingham Library and Cleethorpes Library.
• Paper copies of the Draft Plan are also available to  print out on request from the Planning Department at Equans, Municipal Offices Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU. A charge will be made to cover the cost of printing.
• A wide range of face-to-face events on the draft review will take place over the coming weeks. You can email any questions in advance to  spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk

Article and image from NELC.

A DRAFT of North East Lincolnshire’s Local Plan review goes out for public consultation today (Jan 15), with residents urged to give their views on how the borough grows in the future.

The names of all residents of the borough who take part during the eight weeks between now and Friday 8 March will go into a draw to win £100 of shop local vouchers.

The North East Lincolnshire Local Plan is a blueprint for the future use of land across the borough. By law, the council must have a Local Plan, which covers the next 15-30 years, so that it can plan for change. It must then review it every five years – taking account of revisions in national planning policy and changing local priorities.

North East Lincolnshire’s existing Local Plan was adopted in 2018 and is the document that is now under review. Suggested amendments have been made and the next stage of the process is this consultation when local people are asked to look at the draft document and give their views.

These proposed draft changes to the Local Plan, if they are all taken forward and approved, will not come into effect until 2026, with the existing plan remaining in force until then. To ensure the updated Local Plan is approved by a Government inspector there are certain requirements that must be met.

The draft Local Plan review makes it clear that North East Lincolnshire Council has a long-term vision for development, with a pledge to keep a ‘pro-growth’ strategy that supports the authority’s economic vision. This seeks to ensure that development will be ‘viable and deliverable’ with a focus on design quality, climate change and the environment.  

Crucially, the draft plan predicts how many new jobs will be created in the borough between 2022 and 2042, based on economic projections, and then predicts how many new homes will be required each year to accommodate the increased workforce.

Encouraging people to take part, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: “We want to encourage as many local people as possible to engage with this draft review of the Local Plan, which sets out a vision for the overall look and feel of North East Lincolnshire in the years ahead. If you live or work within this borough, then this local plan review affects you.

“The existing Local Plan was developed in 2018 in a very different world. The years since its adoption have seen many key events including the decision to exit the European market and subsequent Brexit processes, the Covid pandemic, the cost of living issues that the nation has faced, and the on-going conflict in Ukraine, which has directly impacted not only here but across the world.”

He added: “This draft Plan reflects on these events, but looks forward to the opportunities for growth that will ensure North East Lincolnshire prospers as a place where people can live, work and appreciate the natural environment around them, both now and in the future.”

Ways to take part:

• Online at https://nelincs-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/- external site 
• To read an overview and more explanations go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/local-plan-review/
• Email any questions or further comments to Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk or write to Equans, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU.
• Paper copies are available to view at: North East Lincolnshire Council, Municipal Offices reception; Gingerbread House, Humberston; Scartho Community Hub; Grimsby Library; Waltham Library; Immingham Library and Cleethorpes Library.
• Paper copies of the Draft Plan are also available to print out on request from the Planning Department at Equans, Municipal Offices Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU. A charge will be made to cover the cost of printing.
• A wide range of face-to-face events on the draft review will take place over the coming weeks. You can email any questions in advance to Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk
• There will also be opportunities for people to take part in drop-in sessions at the following locations:
• Immingham Library, Saturday February 3 from 10am-1pm;
• Cleethorpes Library, Wednesday January 24 from 10am-1pm;
• Grimsby Library, Thursday February 1 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Cleethorpes Library, Tuesday February 20 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Immingham Library, Thursday February 22 from 1pm-4pm;
• Grimsby Library, Saturday February 24 from 9am-1pm.

Article and image from NELC. 

Environmental and Civil Enforcement teams across the borough have issued 9,578 fines for parking, littering and breaching Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) throughout 2023.

These include a range of civil and criminal offences including dog fouling, riding a bike in prohibited areas and fishing in green spaces.

A large number of fines were issued for littering in the streets and for dogs being on Cleethorpes beach during the ban, which runs from Good Friday to 30^thSeptember.

Over the course of 2023, 133 pet owners violated this PSPO and were issued a fine. Two people were also issued a fine for metal detecting on the beach.

As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), people are allowed to metal detect on certain parts of the beach, but must obtain prior consent to do so.

Other PSPO breaches included using a jet ski (1), parking on a slipway (2) and cycling in prohibited areas (85). In total, 321 fines were issued for violating a PSPO last year.

Officers also cracked down on littering with over 1,000 fines issued. Broken down into littering from vehicles and littering on the street, the enforcement team gave out 1,026 fines for those dropping litter on the streets and 96 for those doing so from a vehicle.

Also included in the Council’s enforcement is the Smoke Free category. These fines are issued to people who are smoking inside commercial and shared vehicles or in non-smoking areas. In total, 23 fines were handed out for breaching these rules.

The Council are also responsible for enforcing parking across the borough. Throughout 2023, 8112 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued to those violating the rules by the Environment and Civil enforcement officers.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “These figures show exactly how much hard work goes into our enforcement work across the borough.

“It’s important that people understand the rules across North East Lincolnshire and adhere to them. Our Council plan advocates a zero-tolerance policy and we constantly review how we deliver our enforcement to make sure we can effectively tackle any issues.”

On the aspect of littering, Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: “It might seem like trivial stuff, but it’s not. If we want visitors to come to our area and enjoy it, we need it to look the part. Nobody wants to visit a town centre if there’s litter everywhere.”

He added: “We’ve also had the WiSE team out in our town centres and our high streets patrolling these areas, and stopping people for things like littering.

“It does feel sometimes like a never-ending cycle, but we are making progress.”

Pictured is Regulatory Services Strategic Lead Neil Clark, left, with the WiSE enforcement team and Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, centre.

Article and image from NELC. 

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, chats to BBC Look North’s Political Editor Tim Iredale during a public event on devolution at Nunsthorpe’s Centre4. He will be taking to Facebook next Monday to answer questions as the consultation enters its last full week.

The Greater Lincolnshire Devolution proposal and the reasons why people should take part in the current consultation will be the focus of a Facebook Live Q&A with North East Lincolnshire’s council leader.

Cllr Philip Jackson will take to the Council’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/nelcouncil- external site   – between 6pm and 7pm on Monday, 22 January. Questions on the Proposal will be answered on the night live, however people are encouraged to submit questions in advance.

Inviting people to take part, Cllr Jackson said: “As the Leader of one of the three lead authorities that have shaped this proposal, I want to ensure that as many people in North East Lincolnshire as possible take part in the public consultation.

“This Facebook Live event is for people to ask questions they may have about what Devolution could mean for North East Lincolnshire and how it may shape the local area and wider county in the future.

“If the outcome of this public consultation does lead to Greater Lincolnshire Devolution progressing then we want people to understand what could be achieved and that is the purpose of this Facebook Live event.  Of course, I am always ready to listen to people’s views on other matters, but I would like to keep this session just to Devolution, given its importance for us all in the future.”

Following Government approval last Autumn, the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Proposal has been taken to the next stage, which is this public consultation that runs until Sunday 28 January.

The two unitary authorities of North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Councils and Lincolnshire County Council have led on the Level Three MCCA (Mayoral Combined County Authority) Proposal.

The Proposal states how a Devolution deal would see central Government money and power moved down to decision-makers in Greater Lincolnshire. This would start with a number of agreed key priority areas including housing, transport, infrastructure (such as highways), skills and education, and the environment. 

For more details including a Q&A and Executive Summary go to www.nelincs.gov.uk

To go directly to the consultation, go to www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/devolution- external site 

To submit a question for Cllr Jackson’s Facebook Live please email with your question to: communications@nelincs.gov.uk

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council is starting a review of the statutory library service and its archives service today, Friday 12 Jan.

The current statutory library service and archive service is operated by Lincs Inspire Ltd, from four key sites across the borough, Grimsby Central Library, Cleethorpes Library, Immingham Library and Waltham Library. The Archives service operates from within Grimsby Town Hall.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, explained: “We know that post-Covid, the way people use our archives and libraries is changing. We also know that although in person visits are returning gradually, last year, they were around two thirds of previous levels. Alongside this, we also know that many local people do not currently visit our archives and libraries or are unaware of the services that they offer.” 

“We want to understand how people currently use the libraries and archives, or indeed why they don’t use them so that, with Lincs Inspire, we can help shape services for the future that fit local needs.”

This consultation will be carried out in two main stages throughout 2024.

In the first stage, from January to 22 March 2024, the Council will be asking both users and non-users of library and archive facilities about the service in order to understand what’s important to them, how they use, these services and indeed, if they are aware of the full suite of services offered and what they view as the opportunities for the services in the future.

This review will support the Council and Lincs Inspire in:

• Understanding how current user behaviour has changed and what are service delivery requirements for the future. 
• Understanding what residents want from the service for the future, covering both user and non-user public consultation. 
• Looking at how the area’s demographics may change demand for services.
• Considering the strategic fit of library and archive provision and how it complements wider outcomes and collaboration with other services such as health, business / resident support, internal council services and leisure. 
• Understanding trends and our approach to library and archive service delivery, and how this compares to industry practice.
• Understanding the future local priorities for funding resources and how this is best utilised across the library and archives service. 
• Developing a long-term plan for the future of library and archive services.

The results of the first stage of consultation will inform proposals about how the services may look in the future, which will be the subject of the second stage of consultation, likely to be released in the late spring or summer of 2024.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say. Several focus groups will also be taking place in the coming weeks across North East Lincolnshire. If you want to take part in these, please email: consultation@nelincs.gov.uk

Article and image from NELC. 

More than 11,000 plants, shrubs and trees are set to grace the new seating areas currently being built at Riverhead Square in Grimsby this autumn as part of the regeneration scheme.

The design was created by national experts in the field, Arup design, and included the list of sustainable plants which worked with the harsh weather of the east coast.

The tree species selected for Riverhead Square have contrasting characteristics, including leaf shape, colour and canopy spread. Evergreens are combined with deciduous specimens for year round seasonal interest providing blossom in Spring, colour in Autumn and fruit in Winter.

The existing lime trees were removed and will be replaced with semi-mature Field maple trees which have a reputation for managing tough urban conditions well. These will be installed in tree pits, and positioned to frame views through the square keeping open views of the shopping centre. They will also provide height and shading in some areas.

The plants include perennials, shrubs and bulbs as well as swathes of grasses and wildflowers with pops of colours and scents from different flower species. The shape of the flower beds and seating and the curved flow of the area leading to Frederick Ward Way have been designed to represent our coastal sand dunes.

The planting also includes a rain garden as part of the sustainable urban drainage programme, and plants have been chosen to represent the dune edge and give a natural feel.

Chris Pulford, the Council’s Area Manager for Grounds Maintenance in Grimsby, said: “The plants chosen are mainly low maintenance varieties which will help increase biodiversity in the town centre. The planting scheme will complement the planting we’ve carried out in other areas, such as outside the municipal offices, on Cleethorpes’ sea front and in various roundabouts around the town.”

The scheme derives directly from the recent Masterplan, where people said that they wanted more places in the town centre to spend time in a nice open space.

As previously reported, the Riverhead scheme is one of the Towns Fund schemes to improve the look and feel of the town centre. Further work is ongoing in Freshney Place, the Central Library, Alexandra Dock Housing site, and additional work is being planned for the waterfront to complement the other schemes.

Article and image from NELC. 

PLANS for a primary school in Waltham have been approved by Councillors at a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Planning Committee.

The primary school, which is being funded by North East Lincolnshire Council, the Department for Education and through Section 106 contributions, will be run by Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust (LGAT).

Plans for a second primary school in Scartho, on land off Matthew Telford Way, were approved in December last year.

Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust has announced that two new schools will be known as Waltham Gateway Primary Academy and Scartho Gateway Primary Academy.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“I’m really pleased to see planners approved these proposals. The two primary schools in Scartho and Waltham are desperately needed by 2026 to accommodate pupils.

“I know that we are keen, along with Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust to work with local residents to minimise any disruption.”

“These school spaces are sorely needed, and it’s vital that we start to plan now for the future.”

Martin Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust, appointed to run the two new free schools serving Waltham and Scartho, said: “We’re pleased both have now been approved by planners.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with North East Lincolnshire Council and our other partners to provide additional, quality education provision in Waltham and Scartho.

“We will keep residents informed throughout the build and there will be opportunities for local communities to engage with us to help address any concerns.”

Work is expected to begin on both sites immediately.

Article and image from NELC. 

North East Lincolnshire residents are encouraged to have their say on the proposed £720m devolution deal with public events set to get underway.

There are 20 events being held across the county including Grimsby, Immingham and Cleethorpes.

Between 9 and 25 January, the devolution tour will also visit other areas of Lincolnshire such as Sleaford, Ashby, Boston, Gainsborough, Crowle, Scunthorpe, Bourne, Brigg, Louth, Grantham, Barton upon Humber, Skegness, Spalding, Market Rasen and Lincoln.

The first of these events will be held at Cleethorpes Library, Alexandra Road, on Tuesday 9 January from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Those who attend will have the opportunity to complete the devolution consultation and have support to do so.

Devolution would bring a host of new powers to Greater Lincolnshire, handing down finance and responsibility in a number of agreed key areas including transport, skills and training, housing and highways.  

Cllr Philip Jackson, the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “As a life-long resident of North East Lincolnshire, I would not be championing this proposed Greater Lincolnshire Deal if I did not believe it was in the best interests of all the residents who live and work across our borough.

 “This is a deal that puts local people front and centre when it comes to things that will make a real difference. Take skills and training as an example. For people to take advantage of the opportunities that are here, we need to make sure as many as possible are skilled, trained, and ready. This deal will allow local people and partners to work together to provide and grow exactly what is needed – we will also have the budget to do so. And this is just one priority area,” he added.

There are a number of other devolution events being held across North East Lincolnshire throughout January:

• 10 January – Grimsby Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, 5.30pm to 7.30pm;
• 11 January – Centre4, 17a Wootton Road, Grimsby, 12noon to 4pm;
• 15 January – Immingham Library, Pelham Road, Immingham, 11am to 3pm;
• 16 January – Freeman Street Market, Freeman Street, Grimsby, 11am to 3pm;
• 18 January – West Marsh Community Centre, Beeson Street, Grimsby, 12noon to 3pm.

As well as attending the in-person events, people can also have their say by completing the consultation on the Let’s Talk Lincolnshire website- external site . You can also find an executive summary and a Q&A on what devolution means at www.nelc.gov.uk/devolution- external site .

Following the eight-week consultation period, further formal meetings will take place to assess the consultation results and put a recommendation to the Government. If a decision is taken to move forward, a Mayoral Combined County Authority would be formed with the election for a Mayor in May 2025.

Article and image from NELC. 

North East Lincolnshire Council have extended the deadline for applications as they look to improve the borough’s neglected land and littered alleyways.

Clear It is a voluntary community clearance scheme aimed at those who suffer with fly-tipping. Since being launched in November, 12 people have signed up to the scheme.

The deadline has now been extended to January 31^stwith members of the public encouraged to get involved. Expressions of interest will be assessed and work will commence at the beginning of March.

To submit an application, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/clear-it.

How does it work?

With Clear It, the Voluntary Community Clearance scheme, the Council aims to support communities to come together, safely clean up an alleyway or an open space in their area and improve community pride.

Volunteers will take responsibility for removing waste from an alleyway or patch of land and Council staff will help dispose of it.

The Council will also provide equipment such as litter pickers, bin bags and large bins.

Officers will arrange a site meeting with successful applicants to assess the site, the amount of waste and agree a date for the work.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said:

“This scheme looks to help people who are willing to come together and clear illegally dumped waste from an alleyway or patch of neglected land that’s not owned by the Council.

“We’d like to see these types of spaces given a fresh start so they become vibrant places the community can enjoy and make better use of.

“Community volunteers in Liverpool started a similar project where they cleared up the mess and the Council took away the rubbish.

“They transformed their alleyways from rubbish dumps into community gardens and safe places for children to play, wouldn’t it be great to see that here?

“If you are keen to transform a neglected alleyway or patch of land, please use the online application form at www.nelincs.gov.uk/clear-it.”

Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, added:

“Our Clear It scheme gives people the opportunity to work with their neighbours and take ownership of their shared space.

“We sympathise with people whose lives are affected by mess left in their alleyways, but they are private property and it’s not the Council’s job to keep them clean.

“Not all wards have alleyways, so to make the scheme fair and open to all parts of the borough, we are including patches of land that aren’t part of the Council’s usual street cleansing duties. These might be areas where the owner can’t be traced or where it’s not clear who’s responsible for it.

“We’re willing to help those who organise themselves and put plans in place to try and bring their alleyway or a neglected patch of land into use after we’ve helped them by disposing of the rubbish.”

Visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/clear-it for more details. If you have questions about the scheme, please email cleanandgreen@nelincs.gov.uk.

What can I do if my application is not successful?

There are other options for those who would like to clear their alleyway.

You could work with your neighbours and clean up the mess together. If there are any clearances costs these could be shared with other neighbours. This is a great way to take ownership of your shared space. Please contact the Council for advice before you do this by emailing cleanandgreen@nelincs.gov.uk.

Community Recycling Centres – Household waste can be taken free of charge to our two community recycling centres. In some circumstances we can give community groups passes to use the tips for waste they clear from alleyways. Please contact the Council for advice about this by emailing cleanandgreen@nelincs.gov.uk or check the list of what can be brought to the tip here for bulky waste, please see here. However, if you are still unsure, please contact the recycling centres on  01472 326288 prior to your arrival.

Private clearance company – You could pay a private company to clear the waste and dispose of it for you, but make sure they are licensed to take it. Waste carrier licences are issued by the Environment Agency. You can check for licensed waste carriers at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers – external site or by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

Article and image from NELC.