Ivan Morris Poxton

North East Lincolnshire Council has approved revised plans for the £4.5m Cleethorpes Market Place redevelopment. The scheme will retain up to 12 seasonal parking bays and introduce a two-year trial of one hour’s free parking at Victoria Street and Old Vic car parks. Council leader Oliver Freeston rejected calls for a further public consultation, arguing that residents want certainty and that more consultation would delay the project. The free parking trial is expected to cost about £145,000 from council reserves, while the proposals remain subject to statutory traffic consultations and road safety audits.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s licensing sub-committee revoked the Spice of Life restaurant’s premises licence after finding, on the balance of probabilities, that two illegal workers were present during a 4 June inspection. The decision followed evidence of five enforcement visits and repeated alleged breaches, along with concerns about crime and disorder. Owner Mohammed Abdul Salique denied employing the individuals and said he would appeal; his legal team argued that the Home Office had issued neither a civil penalty nor a warning. The licence remains in force pending an appeal at the magistrates’ court.

A North East Lincolnshire Council scrutiny panel has again recommended consulting the public on changes to the £4.5m Cleethorpes Market Place redevelopment. The revised Reform UK-led scheme would retain 12 seasonal parking spaces and introduce a two-year trial of one hour’s free parking, funded by about £145,000 in foregone council revenue. Business owners and councillors have raised concerns about trade, parking arrangements, event clashes and funding transparency. Council leader Oliver Freeston said consultation could delay the project, while officers said it would not affect the construction contract but could delay traffic regulation approvals. The recommendation now goes forward for cabinet consideration.

Plans for Ashmere, a new village of 593 homes east of Scunthorpe, have been approved by North Lincolnshire Council. The Keepmoat development will include a small commercial unit, green spaces, walking and cycling routes, and supporting infrastructure. Ashmere is the first of six planned villages in the council’s Trent Vale vision, with construction expected to begin later in the year. A bypass serving the planned villages has also recently received approval.

Asylum seekers housed in Hull’s Royal Hotel will be relocated by the end of October following confirmation from the Home Office, though the department has not committed to ending the hotel’s use permanently. Council leader Mike Ross said the authority would continue pressing for clarity, while Labour leader Daren Hale welcomed the expected end of hotel accommodation and suggested the combined authority purchase the building. The Home Office stated it aims to close all asylum hotels and has reduced hotel populations significantly over the past year.

Plans have been submitted to build an 81‑space ground‑level car park on the former Abbey Walk multi‑storey site in Grimsby, which was closed in 2024 due to structural issues and later demolished. The proposed design allows for a future second storey, provides larger spaces for modern vehicles, and includes accessible bays, motorcycle parking, and EV chargers. Concrete artworks by Harold Gosney have been preserved, and construction could begin later this year pending planning approval.

A former Victorian swimming pool in Hull, closed since 2018, will be redeveloped into 24 apartments following approval by Hull City Council. Developer JR Holmes Ltd plans rooftop, mezzanine and additional flats across the site, including a two‑bed unit and management office. The planning agreement includes contributions toward affordable housing and local open space improvements.