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Landmark move in 'Center Parcs-by-the-sea' style plans at former Pleasure Island site in Cleethorpes

North East Lincolnshire Council officials say new Lidl, hotels, coffee shop drive-thru and 272 lodges will 'support tourism and the visitor economy'

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(Image: Litchfields)

Plans to transform the former Pleasure Island park into a 70million Lidl superstore and hotels and holiday centre have been recommended for approval by council officers. The vision for the 60-acre site is estimated to create around 400 jobs and a further 400 in the construction phase.

An application to transform the redundant theme park was first submitted in January 2023. Environmental assessments, flood risk reports and ecological impact reports have had to be carried out before councillors could properly assess the proposal.

At North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee on Wednesday, July 8, councillors will be recommended to back the plan, with conditions. It is 10 years since the gates locked on the iconic fun park for the final time. Many of the rides were sold off or left to rot.

The site was sold six years ago with developers hailing their vision for a "Center Parcs by the sea" with 272 lodges, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets with car parking.. Lidl GB Ltd, YPG Fab2 ltd, Seaside Getaways and Church Lane Humberston Ltd applied for permission in January 2023 to demolish the site and create the new holiday centre, Lidl superstore and hotels.

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(Image: Lichfields)

The agent, Lichfields, of Leeds has proposed clearing the theme park site of the remaining buildings and replacing them with a large Lidl store and garden centre. The overall size of the site in the proposal is about 60 acres. Pleasure Island was about 25 acres.

Two hotels are planned, one with 58 rooms and another with 148 rooms, both are due to be five-storeys high. A drive-thru coffee shop, tipped to be a Costa, is included in the application, along with a reception for the 272 lodges which will be between two and four bed holiday accommodation.

Retail units and a cycle hire centre are also planned. There is still a lake at the centre of the site and the applicants want to build an anglers hub next to it with toilets, lockers and changing facilities for fishing enthusiasts.

Councillors, meeting at Grimsby Town Hall to assess the objections, which have been brought by rivals Tesco and Aldi and from residents who have highlighted problems with traffic and the impact on wildlife. There have also been a large number in favour of the transformation because it creates a lot of jobs, increases tourism and removes an eyesore blighting the area.

In a report to councillors, officials said: "It is considered in principle that a large proportion of the scheme, if not all of it, would support tourism and the visitor economy, in line with the policy aims, widening the choice and availability of such uses as a comprehensive scheme.

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(Image: Pleasure Island Archive)

"The main site and overflow car park have been vacant for many years since the unfortunate closure of Pleasure Island in 2016. The main site has a derelict appearance which is now beginning to degrade the character and appearance on this key route through the resort."

Lidl said their Ladysmith Road store is performing above the company average and so a new store in Cleethorpes would take some of the pressure off and better serve Cleethorpes.

[Illustrative example of what lodge type A may look like at the Pleasure Island development.]

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Illustrative example of what lodge type A may look like at the Pleasure Island development.(Image: Projex / North East Lincolnshire Council)

The lengthy report into the application for planning permission highlights the impact on ecology and access and traffic, but did not find severe or detrimental effects.

Officers assessed the impact of the expanding Meridian Showground, next to the proposed holiday centre. The Showground could soon be capable of welcoming audiences of up to 15,000 people and attract bigger-named bands. The noise assessment concluded there would not be a detrimental impact on those living in the lodges or hotels.

They said the proposal is "an effective use of the land" and would "contribute to the local economy and the vitality of the resort."

Adrian Smith, Director of Church Lane Humberston Limited, which are leading the development, told Grimsby Live: Were delighted that the proposal has been recommended for approval and has reached Committee stage. Together with our partners Lidl UK, and with great thanks to planning consultants Lichfields and to Cheryl Jarvis who heads NELCs planning team, we are thrilled that the recommendation for approval of this 70m project, which will create nearly 400 jobs in the local market and provide an unprecedented boost to the local economy is nearer to delivery.

Planning councillors meet from 9.30am on Wednesday, July 8 at Grimsby Town Hall.

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