Humberston Fitties residents want to turn park into 'a lasting legacy'
THE Humberston Fitties could become "the envy of the whole east coast" if plans to develop the unique heritage spot get underway.
On the second day of the landmark hearing to discuss the future of the holiday park, members of the Fitties Owners Residents' Association Bungalows (Forab) presented their vision of how the chalet park could become a tourism hotspot, securing the future of the park for "generations to come".
But this is dependent on securing thousands of pounds worth of funding – which the council does not have – and establishing a group that is "representative for all Fitties residents" – not necessarily Forab.
As reported, the Humberston Fitties Committee have met this week to discuss whether residents should be allowed to live on the site for 50 weeks of the year rather than 44 weeks – amid Environment Agency warnings that the park is at "great risk of flooding" during January and February when the park is closed.
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Councillor John Fenty (Humberston and New Waltham, Cons) has backed Forab, but suggested a review of the flood risk after 15 years.
But following a visit to the Fitties, Councillor Andrew DeFreitas, (Park, Lib Dem) said: "I am bothered I might be part of a decision that may mean there could be a tragedy and how I would feel if I am partly responsible for that."
Forab enlisted Grimsby not-for-profit organisation Synergy to draw up a business plan using £10,000 of funding from a National Lottery grant scheme.
Claire Wollington, of Synergy, outlined their plans to the Humberston Fitties Committee, which included a heritage centre, a "Fitties Residents' Guidebook", public toilets and heritage signs.
Ms Wollington said: "One thing – whether people want the 50-weeks or not – people have all agreed on is the need to protect the character of the Fitties. That is what makes it special, that is why people want to live there and that is why we are all here.
"We want to turn it into a lasting legacy for future generations.
"Some people bought chalets based on one childhood memory that had stayed with them their entire lives. It is a magnetic place."
Ideas for how the Fitties could cash in on its unique history include an on-site heritage centre, low-level lighting and signs explaining how the Fitties came to be.
The row over whether the Fitties is at risk of flooding continued throughout the meeting, with Forab maintaining the Environment Agency's flood risk figures were "mere predictions" and not fact.
As reported, the Agency told the committee they would not back the proposals for a 50-week occupancy period – meaning the ultimate decision could go to the Secretary of State for the Environment.
The committee will now prepare recommendations for Cabinet in November.
See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for more on the issue.
Comments
by labourladie
Friday, November 02 2012, 12:46PM
“Somehow,I reckon Meggieborn67 may be on the right track but with some distance to go. You never know. Do you?”
by para_handy
Friday, November 02 2012, 9:47AM
“http://tinyurl.com/amh8nr2
http://tinyurl.com/b6m4orf”
by jack_knife
Thursday, November 01 2012, 7:39PM
“Fitties1,
It seems that you didn't like my last post. Tough.
There are many 9-10 year olds and even younger than that, with far more intelligence than you will ever have.
Anyway, as you are BORING me and everybody on this forum, and spewing out utter rubbish, there's no point in replying to an ignoramus any more, so 'bye, 'bye ignoramus.”
by para_handy
Thursday, November 01 2012, 7:15PM
“Most people have seen the tragedy unfolding on the US seaboard following the massive tidal surge. Those with their heads buried in the Fitties sandhills deny any flood risk and say it will never happen here.
EVERY COUNCILLOR, EVERY COUNCIL OFFICER, EVERY FITTIES HOLIDAY CAMPER NOW HAS SEEN GRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF UTTER DEVASTATION CAUSED BY "SANDY." EVERYBODY NOW HAS NO DOUBT JUST WHAT A TIDAL SURGE IS CAPABLE OF.
THIS RAMSHACKLE AND MOTLEY COLLECTION OF FRAGILE TIMBER CHALETS BUILT ON A DEPRESSED COASTAL MARSH LAND IS NOT FIT FOR HABITATION IN THE STORM SEASON.
ANY COUNCILLOR OR OFFICER WHO VOTES FOR EXTENDED HABITATION IS GUILTY OF RISKING LOSS OF LIFE SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE US. IT'S NOT JUST VOTES BUT NAMED INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL HAVE ANY DISASTER ON THEIR HANDS ALONE. THE LITIGATION EXPERTS AND LEGAL COMPENSATION EXPERTS WILL HAVE A FIELD DAY. TO ALLOW OCCUPATION IN THE WINTER PERIOD WILL BE LEGALLY PROVEN TO BE NEGLIGENCE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER AND DEMONSTRATE DELIBERATE IGNORACE TOWARD MANIFOLD EXPERT ADVICE.
It is time for this money wasting farce to end, it is time for the closed season to be increased not reduced. It is time for those persistent lease breakers to return to their residential address's and vacate their holiday homes for most of the winter period. THE LEASE'S WANT REVISING TO A MUCH LONGER CLOSED SEASON TO REFLECT THE FLOOD RISK PERIOD.
IGNORING THE STORM SURGE RISK, HOW CAN ANY COUNCILLOR DEAL WITH "HOLIDAY" RESIDENTS WHO OPENLY ABUSE THE EXISTING LEASE BY ILLEGALLY STAYING OVERNIGHT IN THE CLOSED PERIOD.........DO COUNCILLORS REALLY BELIEVE PROVEN LEASEBREAKERS WILL RESPECT ANY PERIOD OFFERED TO THEM.......... HISTORICALLY THE LEASE'S HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR YEARS AND YEARS..... THE NE£C SHOULD INCREASE THE CLOSED PERIOD, MAKE THE CAMP SECURE AGAINST COVERT OCCUPATION, AND EVICT THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO INSULT THE COUNCIL WITH CONTEMPTUOUS OCCUPATION.”
by labourladie
Thursday, November 01 2012, 12:37PM
“In December 1989 ,in an attempt to hive off the Fitties by Cleethorpes Council, Whitegate Leisure, the then owners of the pier put forward a plan with the council to improve the Fitties in a grandiose scheme that came to nothing, the council rejecting it. FORA, predecessor to today's FORAB, in opposition to Whitegate, had their own scheme to improve the chalet camp costing several thousands of pounds but that also came to nought. However,that did not deter the members of FORAB because with increased vigour in the late summer of 1991they approached the council (CBC) with a view to purchasing the freehold of the site! The council refused the offer. So, it seems, the battle goes on. FORAB has not given in the fight to gain the sites freehold directly but is now engaging in a war of stealth in which it will attempt to impose such costs to the council in this "war of attrition" that the councils position will become untenable and will have to roll over in submission. At a reduced cost of course. However, it's quite true that FORAB have never wanted the site to be privatised. Unless they are the owners. They seem to believe it's their God given right! The campers should have considered this years ago when Cleethorpes Borough Council couldn't wait to get rid of the Fitties, they could have had it for a song. Incidentally, who or what is funding FORAB apart from some Lotto grant?”
by tone1428
Thursday, November 01 2012, 10:00AM
“What a load of rubbish! how can it possibly be a Tourist Hotspot when they are all privately owned? I worked in the Tourism business for 18 yrs and the Fitties owners have always wanted to be full time residents.At one time it was against the rules for them to stay overnight from Jan to Feb,now they are wanting to close the site for just a fortnight.....next stop living there pemanently methinks!”
by Fitties1
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 8:50PM
“Good
hehehehe”
by labourladie
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 5:01PM
“para_handy, what do you mean "Fitties_1" AND councillor Fenty?”
by Fitties1
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 4:30PM
“Oh Jack
Whoooosh........
hehehehe
I was thinking less than 24...............9 or 10 perhaps”
by Meggieborn67
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 3:17PM
“Don't worry about anything. The fitties is being sold at the moment to a local business man”