Pay and display plan approved for car park

Plans to introduce charges at a car park in Humberston have been approved despite objections from residents, councillors and a local MP.

St Anthony's Bank Car Park is owned by North East Lincolnshire Council but leased by Haven Leisure Limited, which wants to charge users and install a height barrier to stop camper vans using the car park overnight.

The planning applications, which went before the council on Wednesday, received 64 objections from residents and opposition from Humberston Village Council. A petition supported by MP Melanie Onn has also attracted more than 1,200 signatures.

Haven Leisure Limited said the changes would "help better protect and maintain the car park".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, planning policy meant councillors could only decide whether the proposed infrastructure was acceptable to the area and most voted in favour of the plans.

Councillors included a condition that the height barrier is lifted between 07:00 and 22:00.

Councillors heard the planning applications sought permission for an automated number plate recognition system, a 2.7-metre (8ft 10in) tall height barrier, two pay and display machines, and associated signage.

Council leader Oliver Freeston said on social media: "It is council land, but on a long-term lease to Haven, we have checked and there was no clause inserted into that contract stating that they cannot introduce charges, unfortunately.

"If there was, we would step in and stop them."

A petition launched by Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said the changes would reduce access to the coastline, had the potential to damage local tourism and would encourage vehicles to park elsewhere within the Humberston Fitties road network.

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