A significant regeneration project in Cleethorpes has been thrown into uncertainty. Work to revamp Market Place got under way on site last week, but the newly installed Reform UK council leadership has launched a review of the scheme.
At last week's full council AGM, incoming council leader Coun Oliver Freeston declared he had 'grave concerns' about it. Local Conservative politicians have called for the project to press ahead, with local MP Martin Vickers warning that halting it 'could be the Reform-led council's first big mistake'. Coun Freeston has maintained they will not take action 'that would create unacceptable costs' to taxpayers.
The £4.5m scheme largely involves pedestrianising Market Place, bringing an end to Market Street's use as a through road, and removing the free public car park. The partial pedestrianisation would create a new events space in the area. It is one of three resort projects supported by Government Levelling Up Fund (LUF) financing.
Local businesses have been outspoken about the impact the works will have on trade, as well as the importance of the car park. Coun Freeston has voiced concerns about the project's pedestrianisation proposals for some time. During May's full council meeting, at which he was appointed council leader, Coun Freeston said he had 'grave concerns', along with 'many other councillors in this room'. He stated the project would be scrutinised by a Reform-led council in the same way as any other, 'through a lens of common sense, value for money and benefit to the taxpayer'. He subsequently confirmed the review on social media.
Local Conservatives have cautioned against abandoning the project. Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers represented the resort before the 2024 General Election redrew constituency boundaries and said he was 'part of the efforts to convince the then-Government that their Levelling-Up funding was crucial to developing a resort for the 2030s and beyond'. 'Anyone who stands in the Market Place and looks round must surely see that massive investment is needed to meet the expectations of visitors,' he said, adding there was a full consultation process with the local community and 'endless meetings' with officials and ministers on the resort's regeneration projects. 'This is typical Reform politics, slogans rather than taking the difficult decisions.'
'There are some long-established businesses that have genuine concerns and the council must work with them to address them but abandoning the scheme, sending the money back to the Government, and embarking on possible court cases is not the way.' He added: 'This could be the Reform-led council's first big mistake.'
Coun Philip Jackson, council leader prior to the AGM, said he had written to the local authority's chief executive on Saturday. He requested confirmation that work is proceeding as scheduled, and will continue to do so, until any decision to halt it is 'agreed via the council's proper constitutional and democratic processes, giving all councillors the opportunity to express their views and vote'. He also stressed the business case for Market Place works was founded on the Cleethorpes Masterplan, which underwent extensive public consultation. 'If the project was to be scrapped now, the council would be sued for breach of contract and we would have to return the LUF funding to Government.' He added it would 'entail vast cost' to North East Lincolnshire people.
Coun Freeston said the new Reform council leadership was 'elected to deliver common-sense local government and listen to residents and businesses', and that was the reason behind its review of the scheme. 'Many local businesses raised serious concerns that the loss of parking would further damage an already struggling high street. To blindly proceed with a scheme pushed through following poor consultation would have been irresponsible.'
'We understand the Levelling Up funding requirements and are exploring all available options,' he said, adding they would not take action 'that would create unacceptable costs for local taxpayers'. 'One option we are considering is proposals for flexible pedestrianisation using pop-up bollards to balance accessibility with public space.' 'Frankly, there is little sense in having the Market Place pedestrianised on a cold Tuesday morning in November, for example, so we are looking to improve the scheme through this review.'
Coun Freeston argued that the previous Conservative administration's proposals for full-time pedestrianisation were 'clearly out of touch' with local businesses and the parking needs of shoppers. Impressions show current plans include mostly fixed bollard barriers. 'Comments from Martin Vickers criticising the review miss the point entirely,' Coun Freeston continued. 'Listening to businesses, reviewing concerns, and improving flawed plans is responsible leadership.' 'Our priority is simple: protecting Cleethorpes' high street while delivering sensible and cost effective improvements for residents, businesses, and visitors.' He went on to say the new Reform administration is 'also conscious of the timetabling of projects which always appear to happen at the wrong time. We will be reviewing future arrangements to ensure where possible, disruption is kept to a minimum.'
