Market Place design changes approved without consultation
The changes will see 12 seasonal-based parking spaces
Revisions to the £4.5m transformation scheme for Market Place, Cleethorpes, are to go ahead without any formal consultation. The changes will see 12 seasonal-based parking spaces in Market Place kept and a two-year trial of up to one hour free parking in St Peter’s Avenue and Victoria car parks in the resort.
The estimated cost of the changes is £160,000 spread over two years. Most of the cost, £145,000 is due to the estimated loss of revenue from the free parking trial.
At a special economy, culture and tourism scrutiny panel on July 10, a formal consultation was recommended on the proposals by a 5-1 vote, with the only Reform UK member of the panel present the solitary vote against this.
The new Reform UK minority administration of the council had put forward the changes. At a cabinet meeting on July 15, they decided unanimously to proceed with them without a consultation.
This is despite the organiser of a petition to continue Market Place’s redevelopment as planned urging at the meeting to not make the revisions. Safety concerns with having the 12 parking spaces have also been raised by Paul Campling, owner of The Studio Bar.
Council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK – Croft Baker Ward), whose portfolio includes regeneration, said he had already spoken to a lot of businesses and residents and was “aware of the concerns they have about parking within this scheme. These changes address those concerns.
“I’m really pleased that the hour free parking has been agreed too – this will help support local businesses throughout the resort.”
The Market Place scheme, supported by Government Levelling Up Funding started on site in May. The aim is to help bring more visitors and local people to the area to shop and spend time, supporting local businesses, and with a focus on outdoor events and dining.
The changes will now be subject to statutory consultation on new traffic regulation orders (TROs) and road safety audits of the proposed design.
Petitioner asks for continuity
Before the Reform UK cabinet made its decision, petitioner George Georgiou made his case for sticking to the original plan. He had organised a petition, which garnered 56 signatures, calling for continuity with the Market Place scheme.
“I have waited many years along with many other residents for the Cleethorpes Market Place redevelopment,” he said. Mr Georgiou said it gave people hope for a safer and more attractive Market Place. “It was designed to put people before cars,” he said.
He said he believed the revisions “will undermine the democratic decision that has already been made”. “Drivers may queue with engines running while waiting for a space, creating unnecessary congestion and pollution,” he said.
He also felt there was a real safety risk and asked, “Please complete this project as it was originally approved.”
Cllr Freeston responded, “Through informal engagement through speakingto businesses, they were happy with this amendment to the scheme we put forward.” He said people would not want to sit outside on a cold and rainy day in November and there seemed to him no logic in keeping the space pedestrianised then.
As for safety concerns, he said: “Unfortunately, the presence of cars in any area is always a risk but we can’t get rid of cars entirely, people rely on them.” He particularly stressed the spaces would be useful for disabled and older people.
Cllr Freeston used his discretion as chair to accept Mr Georgiou’s request to respond. The petitioner argued his petition showed 60 per cent of Market Place businesses did not want changes to the scheme. “I take on board your comments, your experience must be different to mine,” said Cllr Freeston.
On the scrutiny panel’s formal consultation recommendation, he stood by his citing of informal engagement to support the changes: “Engagement with the public doesn’t have to be written consultations.”
“My concern is if we go out to consultation, we will ensure more dither, more delay to a scheme we need to deliver on time.” Other cabinet members backed pressing ahead.