November 25, 2019 12.08 pm This story is over 65 months old

Final go-ahead for £1.5m Grimsby square regeneration

A revamp is set to go-ahead
St James Square, Grimsby. Picture: Calvin Robinson.

Final backing has been given for a £1.5 million plan to revamp St James Square in Grimsby as part of council regeneration proposals.

North East Lincolnshire Council gave planning approval for the project which includes installation of street furniture, noticeboards and enhanced landscaping to allow for events.

Further proposals will see improvements to CCTV and lighting, as well as moving the Fishermen’s Memorial onto a higher plinth to allow gatherings.

The proposal comes as part of public realm improvements to the square and aims to create a “tranquil and enclosed green space”.

Senior councillors gave their backing to the project back in March and said it would “bring the area into the 21st century”.

Designs for St James Square, Grimsby.

As part of the plan, new benches and bins will be placed in the square in order to modernise the area.

New lighting columns will be built and will include speaker systems for events, such as Christmas fairs, and be fitted with electric vehicle charging points.

The council said in its plans that the lighting would make people “feel less vulnerable” and therefore “minimise the opportunity for antisocial behaviours”.

The project has been supported with £1.3 million from the government’s Local Growth Fund,  which was secured by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.

The authority has backed the rest of the project from its own budget.

Meanwhile, the council hopes the scheme will become the starting point of the Heritage Trail, linking the town centre to the Kasbah.

Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber LEP said previously: “This scheme is an exciting opportunity to make the most of Grimsby’s Heritage Action Zone and create a valued public space that can be enjoyed by all.

“By making these improvements to St. James Square, the area will be given an increased vibrancy, which will encourage further investment.”

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