Councillors say ‘I do’ to People’s Park wedding venue plans

Blushing brides could soon be having a very green wedding at Grimsby’s People’s Park, but objectors claim the venue is not fit-for-purpose.

Health and care service provider Navigo, has been given permission to turn the North East Lincolnshire Council-owned Floral Hall and Aviary garden centre into an events venue and bridal house.

A spokesman for Navigo told planning councillors on Wednesday that the wedding aspect was only part of the plans for the events centre.

They said: “People’s Park is an important community asset and we want to continue to transform this Grimsby gem into an attractive, accessible community centre by regenerating and refurbishing it.”

Objectors say the proposed venue is basically a greenhouse and queried the balance between warmth and noise. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Navigo helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds get back into work and currently has 40 people helping at its facilities which also include a nearby cafe.

They said they believed the regeneration of the centre would help reduce anti-social behaviour, though objectors were concerned that use of alcohol during events would have the opposite effect.

They queried how temporary events licences, which enable the sale of alcohol, would fit into the Public Space Protection Order covering the park.

Those against the plans have major concerns including increased traffic, noise and the sustainability of the project.

Resident Andrew Almond-Bell spoke on behalf of residents and park users. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Andrew Almond-Bell, told councillors: “It is the firm view of many local residents and park users that there will be a significant detrimental impact upon the park.”

They said the building is essentially a greenhouse – meaning it will be warm at all times – and questioned how noise can be limited if windows had to be opened to cool guests down.

They raised a series of health and safety concerns regarding the standard of glass and fire safety.

The applicants say they will hold up to 12 evening events throughout the year, though do not specify how many day time events will be held, and objectors believe this will lead to further disruption to what they say should be a “place of peace and tranquillity”.

Where the Floral Hall (marker 7) sits in People’s Park, in Grimsby. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Councillor Tim Mickleburgh disagreed with objectors. He said the park had hosted a number of events which had attracted “lots of different people”.

He, along with other councillors, praised Navigo for the work they do, adding: “It’s like Winter Gardens, it will be an extra facility in town for public events.”

Other councillors however, called for more information, particularly around building control regulations.

Despite a call for a deferral however, the plans were passed by a vote of six-to-five.

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