Petition against location of new Grimsby Town stadium handed to council
A PETITION with more than 500 signatures opposing the new Grimsby Town football stadium and retail store has been handed to the council.
The club has teamed up with Simons Development Ltd to "investigate the viability" of using a 22.7-hectare plot of land off Peaks Parkway for a new stadium – which could also have community use – and a retail outlet.
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SPEAKING UP: A petition was handed to the council by representatives of those against Grimsby Town Football Club's proposed new stadium near Peak's Parkway. From left, Ernie Brown, Josh Forrester, senior customer services officer at NELC Lorraine Garnett, Ashley Johnston, Marie Newman and Maureen Harvey. Picture: Abby Ruston
The publicly-owned site sits between the Parkway and Weelsby Avenue. It is mainly green space, but also houses redundant council buildings and allotments, and is near to Oasis Academy Wintringham, which recently joined forces with the Mariners for a School Of Excellence.
Over the coming months, Simons will work alongside Grimsby Town Football Club to "investigate the viability of the site" for a community stadium capable of supporting both the professional game and also community sports use.
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The development of a new retail facility – possibly a food store – will also be examined in the next 12 months.
Already, people – including nearby residents and allotment holders who could be effected – have joined together to protest against it.
And they handed the petition to North East Lincolnshire Council at the Municipal Offices in Town Hall Square, Grimsby.
Co-ordinator Ernie Brown, of Roundway, Grimsby, said: "I have helped set up the petition and we have knocked on every door in Weelsby Avenue and all the side streets off that road.
"Everyone has snatched the petition out of our hands to sign it.
"The residents in the streets will have their entire lives disrupted.
"The area that the new development is planned to be on is on a thriving allotment site and near a crematorium.
"We have collected 509 signatures in one week and we haven't even finished.
"There is not a need for a new stadium and in many ways if the money was spent on the players Grimsby Town would be a better team."
Fellow opposer Martin Johnston, 25, of Applegarth, Cleethorpes, added: "My family has two allotments there and we are not allowed to keep cockerels because of the noise they make.
"How they can justify putting a football stadium there is unknown.
"With fruit and veg prices on the rise, people are becoming more interested in growing their own and the allotments are doing very well.
"I also think it is disrespectful to have such a thing so close to a crematorium.
"The more people we can get to sign the petition the stronger the message will be."
Josh Forrester, 20, of Weelsby Avenue, Grimsby, said: "A lot of the residents do not begrudge Grimsby Town wanting a new stadium but the place they are proposing to build it on is one of the most unsuitable areas in town.
"Not only that, there will also be a lack of public transport to the stadium and the roads will be heavily congested every time there is a game."
What do you think?
Share your views by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or by visiting www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk and commenting on this story. Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.
Comments
by johnpaulclee
Saturday, August 04 2012, 9:44PM
“Notworthit - I think the 150,000 population quoted was supposed to be North East Lincolnshire give or take a few thousand. Grimsby and Cleethorpes combined must be circa 125,000 plus Immingham and neighbouring villages. Grimsby Town fanbase actually encompasses a much bigger area as I know of many supporters from Louth area, Caistor, Brigg , Kirton Lindsey, Mablethorpe, Skegness etc. Attendances will go up and down based on league (or non-league) status but GTFC I believe still has a strong core of support which will turn out if and when the club has some success. In the 21st century a modern stadium is a must I guess for a club with aspirations but I agree that it needs to be on the right site,wherever that may be. UTMM.
Darkwitch I expect most of the banning orders you cite came in the away game at Burton Albion, a disastrous day all round for GTFC and all supporters. Don't think many banning orders are given against Grimsby fans for trouble at home fixtures.”
by Shenfield
Saturday, August 04 2012, 7:09PM
“Intresting observation that that Betty balfours regeneration department appears to be entering into the debate with local buisnesses owners via its great grimsby web site - whilst we should welcome debate can't help think that those representing Betty Balfour should not be putting any input into this subject
Have these people from betty Balfour got any other association with mr fenty?”
by gy82a
Saturday, August 04 2012, 6:18PM
“didnt know you enjoyed a bit of angling max, thought i was the only one out today dipping a line in the water ...”
by notworthit
Saturday, August 04 2012, 5:22PM
“There are an estimated 87,574 people in Grimsby not 150,000”
by Max_Planck
Saturday, August 04 2012, 5:15PM
“I've hooked the biggest fish first, lol.”
by gy82a
Saturday, August 04 2012, 4:50PM
“thank you max glad you agree about the manipulative nature of stats”
by Max_Planck
Saturday, August 04 2012, 4:37PM
“To the supporters of the new stadium site, enjoy your dream, for that is what it is. I doubt very much whether it will ever be built there, if at all.
There are some supporters who are obviously passionate about GTFC who would support a new stadium even if meant concreting over their grannies grave. There are others who seem to think that just because there are only 500 signatures (so far) on that petition that it entitles them to do whatever they see fit, perhaps even by quoting some very silly statistics (I particularly like the "not interested means basically build it"). There are others who keep suggesting that anyone who is against the development are "moaners" or "nimby's", who want to consign Grimsby into the dark ages (maybe it's because we haven't got a Gap, or a Nandos).
It all seems like a big publicity stunt to me, maybe to sell a few more newspapers, I don't know.
There are plenty of sites which could be used which don't involve tarmacing over even more of the UK's fields. Sites which are just as easy to get to, and would provide areas for car parks, and access to railway lines and major roads.
I'm hoping to get plenty of comments against what I've posted, because most of them give me a good laugh, whether it's the content, the grammar, or the spelling, or all three.
UTM (but only at an appropriate stadium, lol)”
by gy82a
Saturday, August 04 2012, 4:03PM
“obviously darkwhitch you are just backing up my point that stats can be manipulated to bolster any argument . At this time you are using them for support, just as they have been used against you and your group and about the clubs finances most clubs are proped up by local benefactors in the current economic situation .. by the way you dont seam that vile to me just passionate about your cause”
by Darkwitch
Saturday, August 04 2012, 3:26PM
“gy82a,
You dont seem to understand the basis of the petition, the 500 people who signed it live in the street/side streets directly affected by the proposed development, Weelsby Avenue being the main one - all but two people didnt sign it, which means almost 100% against the development.
It takes quite a lot of time to approach every household in the area/town but I'm sure more would oppose it than your 2/3000 fans.
The club is practically bankrupt only being held up by the financial support of the director, Mr Fenty. If this development went ahead how long do you think it would be before he sold his shares at an increased price to what they are worth now? The club would not be able to support itself and the big white elehpant of a ground would be empty!
Has anyone stopped to think how all of a sudden this land is available for development when numerous other projects have been refused? Maybe since Mr Fenty became a councillor.. I'm sure Mr Fenty and a few others will benefit greatly from this project.”
by gy82a
Saturday, August 04 2012, 3:22PM
“ernie what do u mean under threat ,what are you expecting a stadium built or a stuka attack followed by occupation by liebstandarta adolf hitler i mean get this in perspective....”