Plans greenlit for Grimsby Ice Factory redevelopment to begin in autumn
The well-known factory space will be turned into a hotel and a conference centre
Works on the regeneration of Great Grimsby Ice Factory and the surrounding area are set to begin this Autumn. Tom Shutes and his company GY 1900 Ltd are behind the extraordinary transformation plan.
It would see the Ice Factory developed into a conference centre and offices and developments space for offshore renewables, as well as other significant developments nearby. These include the creation of a 161-bed hotel next door.
The estimated start of works comes as another landmark planning step has been reached in the overall project. Planning approval has been granted to an array of solar panels in Grimsby Docks, including on the roof of a new pavilion for Henderson’s Jetty, and floating solar in the water.
Mr Shutes said: “We’re thrilled to get planning permission for the floating solar farm which, combined with our other renewable resources on site, will allow us to give all occupiers free heating and power for 25 years.” The developers also believe it would be the biggest floating solar farm of its kind in the UK.
Henderson’s Jetty is derelict and will be refurbished as part of the installation of the solar pavilion on it. The solar here is expected to provide between 70 and 80 MWh a year.
1,350 ground-mounted solar panels are to go on vacant land north of Murray Street and south of Fish Dock No. 2. This is expected to provide 530-550 MWh annually.
Finally, the floating solar panels will cover an area in the water of approximately 9, 800 sq m, with 2,600 photovoltaic panels, mounted on a floating support. This will be anchored down, and the panels are expected to have an output of 1,150 – 1,250 MWh annually.
A public outdoor swimming pool is planned, too. This will be separate to the floating panels and next to Henderson’s Jetty.
The overall development is planned in phases. Phase one includes the Ice Factory, adjacent hotel, Henderson’s Jetty and installation of the floating solar panels. This is due to start this Autumn.
A number of buildings adjacent to the Ice Factory are planned to be developed too. Two Gorton Street buildings are also included in phase one works. The vision for these is to create a marine centre and food beverage location in one, and a mix of commercial units and an offshore wind and maritime research and development hub in the other.
The Ice Factory will become multi-purpose. It will include offices, research and development space for offshore renewables in Ice Factory North, and a conference and live event venue, with 1,000 capacity, in Ice Factory South.
It is a Grade II*-listed building and the Ice Factory closed in 1990. There was strong emphasis on retaining the site’s history when it got planning approval, and plans include keeping the ice compressor room.
This will have a full representative example of the ice-making process. Meanwhile, the nearby Kasbah Hotel planned will be five storeys tall, and has been designed by award-winning London-based architects Waugh Thistleton. It is also understood that a well-known hotel chain is set to take it on.