Fresh objection to plan for derelict theme park

The former theme park closed in 2016

A fresh objection over plans to turn a derelict theme park into a £65m holiday resort has been submitted by the Environment Agency (EA).

A consortium of developers including Lidl wants to use the land to build 272 holiday lodges, two hotels, a drive-through coffee shop and a cycle-hire building.

Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes closed in 2016 and plans to convert the site were submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council in 2022.

On Thursday, the EA submitted a letter objecting to amendments to the plans, which include building a new bridge over the Buck Beck.

The proposal includes holiday lodge accommodation, hotels and food outlets

The EA previously put forward conditions to reduce the risk of flooding, including the closure of the lodges between November and March, when the possibility of tidal flooding is at its highest.

These concerns were "addressed satisfactorily" in May this year, when flood measures were added to the plans, including suspending the use of lodges during winter months.

However, in a letter submitted last Thursday, the EA stated: "As submitted, there is insufficient information to determine whether the [Buck Beck] bridge would restrict essential maintenance and emergency access to the flood defence or restrict flow in the main river.

"We will require continuous access along both banks of the watercourse and as a minimum, the bridge should not reduce the cross-sectional area of the channel.

"Further details are required to determine whether these requirements have been met."

The once bustling site is now derelict

The EA also called for more information about a bedroom proposed for the reception building.

In November last year, Natural England asked for more information about the development due to "potential significant effects on the Humber Estuary Special Protection Area", which supports numerous species of birds.

The plan is listed as 'pending consideration' on the North East Lincolnshire Council planning portal.

Lidl has been contacted for comment.

Planning documents previously submitted by Lichfields, an agent for the development, have pointed to public support, with an online consultation in 2022 finding 93% of respondents agreed with the need to regenerate the site through new development, and 73% supported the proposed mix of holiday resort, leisure and retail uses.

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