Holiday park proposals for ‘eyesore’ site
PLAN FOR 29 LODGES APPROVED
PLANS to build a 29-lodge holiday park on the site of a former concrete block works one councillor said was an “eyesore” have been approved.
East Riding Council’s Eastern Area Planning Sub-committee approved the plans for the park, at Kelsey Hill off Hariff Lane, Burstwick.
John Benson, agent for applicants Rock Resource Management, told the committee the plans were an “excellent opportunity” to redevelop the disused Sangwin Concrete Products works and draw more tourism into the area.
Mr Benson added plans for an onsite shop had been dropped in an effort to encourage holidaymakers to use local stores.
But Cllr John
Mid Holderness
Holtby, ward whose covers
Burstwick, said while residents were not opposed to a park in principle, there were concerns about the amount of lodges proposed.
Cllr Holtby added there were also worries that sewage and water would go into an “unstable” drainage system in an area already subject to flooding.
Council officers stated the site was at “very low risk” of flooding, while sewage is set to be sent to a treatment plant and surface water drained into an artificial lake.
But officers added the developer would have to carry out further investigations into contamination on the site over concerns disturbance of a landfill cap.
Plans stated the park would be more suited to the surrounding area than the existing disused works.
They include a clubhouse, lake, reception as well as the lodges, and would see existing industrial units torn down following the relocation of Sangwin away from the site.
They added its “strategic location” close to Beverley, Hull, the coast and major roads meant it would offer holidaymakers short and long-stay options and allow them to visit the surrounding area.
Mr Benson said: “This is a chance of the to remove the old concrete works, a commercial activity not suited to a rural area.
“It will benefit the local construction sector and lodge manufacturers and businesses from visiting tourists once it opens.
“The site will benefit from landscaping and we’ve repositioned the lodges to make them more attractive. Biodiversity will also be approved with the building of a new lake.
“In light of the current staycation boom, we hope you will support these plans.”
Cllr Holtby said: “Residents have real concerns about the amount of lodges on site. They feel 15 would be a lot better. There are also concerns about drainage, the existing unstable system should not be messed around with in an uncontrolled way.
“The site needs to be redeveloped, but it would be a lot better if there were fewer lodges.”
Committee member Cllr Brian Skow, whose Mid Holderness covers Burstwick, said: “I lived in the area for about 30 years, this site is a bit of an eyesore.
“The access is pretty good, there are passing places leading up to it and the applicant has said they will improve them.”
A Drink-driver who had no licence or insurance dragged a police officer along the road during a high-speed chase while “trying to save his own skin”, a court heard.
Ryan Laing, 22, was seen driving a Skoda Fabia in the dark without lights in Wellington Road, Bridlington, and then mounting a kerb by police at 7.25pm on October 30, 2020, who signalled for him to pull over.
But instead of complying, Laing, of St Hilda Street, Bridlington, came to a stop and opened his door, before then speeding off towards the promenade.
Hull Crown Court heard Laing failed to give way at junctions, motoring along at 55mph in a 30mph zone, driving through red lights and collided with another driver.
Prosecutor Jane Brady said Laing came to a halt and smashed into a police car that had stopped in front of his car and then reversed and made a second getaway.
Determined to get away, Laing drove along Station Road and then into a bush in George Street, then accelerated once more and injured a police officer who put his arm through the driver side window to try to prevent his escape.
The incident only ended when Laing hit a lamppost and was then finally apprehended by another officer.
“There is a left-hand bend in the road [at George Street] and the defendant lost control of the vehicle and collided with a bush, where it came to rest,” said Ms Brady.
“Officers then positioned their vehicle in front of the Skoda, with [an officer] stood behind it, who approached Laing who was sat in the driver’s seat and gave him a loud command to get out of the vehicle.
“Laing managed to drive off again, this time dragging [the police officer] with him a distance of approximately four metres before [he] managed to release his grip.
“[The police officer] said he feared he may be dragged under the vehicle and sustain serious injury.
“Mr Laing continued driving for another 20 metres along the road with sparks coming from the vehicle before colliding with a lamppost.
“[Another officer] then smashed the driver-side window with his baton and cautioned Mr Laing and arrested him.”
The court heard Laing then hurled abuse and swore at the arresting officer.
He was found to be two-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit, had no licence and no insurance and had bought the car he was driving around a month before the offences.
The pursuit lasted between five and ten minutes and the officer that he dragged along was left with a cut to his hand and bruising to his arms.
In Laing’s defence, it was said that he took full responsibility for his actions, was immature with poor decision making and that he was remorseful for what he had done.
Judge David Tremberg sentenced Laing to 15 months behind bars and disqualified him from driving for five years.
He said: “This is a very serious offence. You did not have a licence to drive, you have no insurance to do so, yet in a demonstration of complete contempt for our driving laws, a month before these offences occurred, you bought yourself a car.
“As you well knew, you should never have been behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in any condition at all, let alone when you were palpably unfit to do so.
“You drove so badly, without lights and over a kerb, that on the early evening of a dark winter’s night in central Bridlington, you drew the attention of the police who sought to stop you.
“Had you stopped as required and faced the music, then this case would no doubt have remained in the Magistrates’ Court and the matter might have been dealt with other than locking you up.
“Instead, you decided to try and save your skin by escaping and in doing so, you put yourself, the police and the public at gross risk of entirely avoidable harm.
“There is a price to pay for what you did. You could have killed someone.” jailed
There is a price to pay for what you did. You could have killed someone
Judge David Tremberg
A HULL teenager has had a brush with fame at one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
While Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl on Sunday night, the huge event also had Hull representation.
Lucy Topping, 18, who is originally from Hedon, was selected to be a hostess at the NFL spectacular in Tampa, Florida – giving her city of birth a showing on one of sport’s grandest stages.
Proudly wearing her name badge that identified her from Kingston upon Hull, Lucy, now a University of Tampa student, waited on key workers who were specially selected to attend the event.
As well as getting tickets to the game itself, they were treated to a special concert featuring Miley Cyrus, Billy Idol and Joan Jett.
Many tickets for the NFL showpiece were limited to key workers from across the US, meaning the Hull teenager was in an incredibly privileged position.
Describing her road to the Super Bowl, her dad Richard Topping, 47, said: “Lucy was born in the old maternity hospital in Hedon Road in 2002 and lived in Hedon until 2009, when we moved to Singapore. She attended Inman’s Primary School in Hedon.
“Lucy, who moved with us to Boston Massachusetts in 2015, now attends the University of Tampa, where she is studying International Business and French, and was selected to work at the event.
“Lucy was a hostess at the Super Bowl reception and concert for Covid-19 key workers who were guests of honour and given free tickets and flown in from all over the US.
“She had to show them to their tables, handle any needs and requests they had and clear tables.
“It was a great experience for her and she stood out due to her Hull name badge, which she proudly wore.”
Richard and his wife, Alison, 43, now live in Boston, Massachusetts, with their youngest daughter, Hannah, 15, who was also born in Hull.
The pair worked in Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary respectively before Richard took a job with Dräger, which makes ICU ventilators.