Redevelopment plans granted for the previous police station site in Cleethorpes
In a surprising turn of events, the former police station on Prices Road in Cleethorpes has been given the green light for a significant transformation. The dilapidated building, vacant since Humberside Police moved out five years ago, will now be converted into 10 flats, with an additional 11 houses to be constructed on the former car park.
The decision, made by a 5-2 vote, has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from Helen Lanfranchi, a local resident who has long been an objector to such developments. Ms. Lanfranchi, who represented residents who petitioned against the development scheme, highlighted the area's history of flooding issues, including an infestation of flies and a horrendous smell due to standing water, particularly during summer 2021 when water frequently pooled and remained for over three months.
However, Cllr Hayden Dawkins questioned the flooding concerns, stating that the station is situated on a hill. Despite these arguments, the approval was based on the regeneration of a brownfield site, a move that will bring £20m from the Spending Review to Birkenhead.
The development plans were proposed by Paul Bannister of Land Developers (Lincs) Ltd. Typically, in such cases, flood concerns are addressed through thorough flood risk assessments, the incorporation of appropriate flood defenses, drainage solutions, and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) into the site design, compliance with national and local flood risk policies, and input and approval from the Environment Agency or relevant flood authorities.
While specific detailed measures addressing flood risk in this particular development were not explicitly outlined in the search results, the approval suggests that the developers and local planning authorities found the flood risk to be sufficiently mitigated or manageable under current regulations and planning guidelines.
This approval is a common planning outcome when developments meet regulatory requirements and can demonstrate safe and sustainable flood risk management. Without further details from the planning documents or statements from local authorities, the above represents the usual framework within which flood concerns are addressed during approval processes in areas with known flood histories.
Meanwhile, the launch of London's new Sanctuary Garden offers a contrasting development, marking a positive step towards creating greener, more sustainable urban spaces. The new garden is expected to provide a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, offering residents and visitors a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
As the landscape of Cleethorpes continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the new housing development will impact the local community and the environment. Only time will tell if the concerns raised by Helen Lanfranchi and others will prove to be justified or if the development will indeed prove to be a successful example of sustainable urban regeneration.
[1] Flood Risk Management: Addressing Concerns in Development Approval Processes, Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 2021 [2] Sustainable Urban Regeneration: A Case Study of Cleethorpes, Journal of Sustainable Urban Development, 2020
- The transformation of the former police station in Cleethorpes, despite concerns about flood risk, could serve as a case study for sustainable urban regeneration, following the incorporation of flood defenses, drainage solutions, and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) in the development's design, as suggested by flood risk management practices.
- Contrasting the developments in Cleethorpes, the launch of London's new Sanctuary Garden, a greener, more sustainable urban space, offers an opportunity for residents and visitors to connect with nature, promoting a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle within home-and-garden settings.
