32 waterside apartments proposed in Grimsby town centre - latest planning developments

The Haven Mill, Grimsby, which housed the Grinders Nitescene venue and later the Waterfront Night Scene venue
-Credit: (Image: Rick Byrne / Grimsbylive)


A Grade II-listed former mill in Grimsby town centre could host 32 waterside apartments.

Haven Mill began life as an early 19th century corn mill. Later uses included as home to Tap 'n' Spile bar and the former Grinders nightclub, known for its multi-coloured flashing dance floor.

But its upper floors have sat idle and empty for some time - since 2005, according to an application document for its latest transformation.

READ MORE:Full list of energy bill support available ahead of October price rise

READ MORE:Man jailed after pulling out gun during car parking dispute

Read More:

A proposal has been made to convert it into 32 apartments across the first to fourth floors. Eight would have two bedrooms and 24 would be one-bed flats. Read on below for more about this, and some of the planning decisions made by councillors on Wednesday, September 4.

Haven Mill

Ross Davy Associates state in an application document the proposal would help revitalise "a previously deprived and derelict area in association with the adjacent Youth Hub development". The Horizon Youth Zone is being built practically next door, at West Haven Maltings.

The applicant for the Haven Mill application is Church Lane Humberston Ltd, run by Adrian Smith. The company is part of the consortium behind Pleasure Island redevelopment proposals.

Grinders Nitescene interior, at the Haven Mill, Grimsby, in 1981
Grinders Nitescene interior, at the Haven Mill, Grimsby, in 1981 -Credit:Grimsby Live / Rick Byrne

Humberston Avenue new build allowed

Plans for a larger house at a Humberston Avenue plot have been approved. Planning officers recommended refusal, based on the impact on a neighbouring property. An agent defended the application as in keeping with other nearby plots for the space taken up.

Its future homeowner also spoke, stating: "This would be our forever home." Three generations of the family would live at the two-and-a-half storey, six bed home.

Three councillors called it in, including Humberston and New Waltham Ward Cllr Stan Shreeve. In a statement read out on his behalf, he explained changes to the original overall development plans had led to the previous owner to be unhappy. This included the number of plots going from six to eight, and a particular concern with the new house was overlooking by two windows.

The previous owning resident had not responded either way to amendments to the application since, a planning officer confirmed. Councillors were satisfied by the separation distance and gave approval, with an amendment to require window glazing on one side.

Neighbour disputes settled

Last month, Grimsby Live covered two neighbours' planning disputes that councillors deferred. These came back before North East Lincolnshire Council 's planning committee in September.

A rear extension in Weelsby Road, Grimsby, had caused neighbour disagreement. It had approval, but then got built higher than specified, by 0.3m, and breeze blocks were used. It had been deferred for a site visit.

Neighbour Steven Ellis expressed frustration that concerns raised with the council enforcement were apparently not passed onto the neighbours, despite four months of "badgering away". Applicant Giles Ramsden repeated it was an honest mistake by the builders that caused the height variation. There had been agreement on the breeze blocks after options offered to the neighbours. "I'm pleased to say our neighbours have opted for the rendering solution in a suitable colour."

"It does appear that the issue here is between the builders and enforcement," said Cllr Henry Hudson, who questioned why a stop notice was not issued to the build. A planning officer said these were rarely used and enforcement issues should not be a material consideration. "I think it is a consideration that's a breach of the original planning," persisted Cllr Hayden Dawkins.

Cllr Matt Patrick criticised those who favoured refusal. "These reasons for rejection are weak, they're going to be incredibly insufficient if it comes down to appeal."

After 50 minutes, a move to refuse lost by seven votes to three. Approval for the changed extension was approved, eight votes to three.

A build as part of Snape Properties Ltd's 60-home development off Bradley Road, Barnoldby-Le-Beck, got deferred last month to clarify a boundary between a newly-built home and existing one. Resident of the existing, Michael Wishart, had reported a dispute with the new neighbour over a proposed boundary hedge and whether he had the right to cut it, as he had for decades.

Agent Mr Toothill said a number of documents, including Ordnance Survey mapping had been provided to show the hedge ownership belonged to the new plot. Mr Wishart stated at the September planning, "As long as the owners will accept the hedge is a boundary hedge and I can cut our side, I can accept that."

The changed build was approved without opposition.