Plans for 300 flats unveiled as bridge is removed
SITE EARMARKED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ‘HIGH-DENSITY, POSH PADS’
PLANS for up to 300 new flats in Grimsby town centre were unveiled as a huge crane removed the Garth Lane footbridge.
The development of “high-density, posh pads” will bring regeneration to Grimsby town centre, said the Deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor John Fenty. The site on Garth Lane has been earmarked for between 280 and 300 waterside apartments to bring life back into the heart of the town, say councillors. Councillor Fenty said the removal of the footbridge linking Riverhead and Garth Lane is “a great step forward” in the vision to bring prosperity and jobs back to the town.
The construction of the apartment blocks with views overlooking the River Freshney and the town centre are part of a larger scheme to develop the longneglected Garth Lane site.
The Grimsby Telegraph revealed over two years ago the aim to construct a university campus and town centre homes on Garth Lane. A year later Government minister Jake Berry visited Grimsby to announce the OnSide Youth Zone development in the former maltings.
He also agreed £3.75 million to enable North East Lincolnshire Council to buy part of the Garth Lane site. That paved the way for the announcement that councillors are seeking to invite a developer to build the new apartment blocks. Councillor Fenty said, as well as enjoying enviable views, residents will have much better connections to the town centre.
Council chiefs last week unveiled the design of the new five-metre-wide bridge which will link the waterside development to Riverhead. Residents will have access to the neighbouring Sainsbury’s store and the shopping centre at Alexandra Dock, as well as Freshney Place and Grimsby town centre over the river. Councillor Fenty said: “With everything that we are doing, we hope that Sainsbury’s will think it is a good place to remain. We are driving up the footfall in the area with all these developments and it will make Grimsby a phenomenal place to work, live and play.” Plans for a waterside development were first approved back in 2009, when Sheffield-developer Henry Boot submitted plans for luxury apartments. The £30million scheme included 150,540sq ft of shops, 27 new flats, a new pedestrian and vehicle bridge across the River Freshney, a replacement water sports centre next to Alexandra Dock, and 290 car parking spaces.