October 28, 2021 8.25 am This story is over 28 months old

Disused North East Lincolnshire council sites poised for market

It’s hoped sales will solve issues like flytipping

Unwanted council-owned land could be put on the market to bring it back into use.

Some of the plots are subject to frequent fly-tipping or anti-social behaviour, which North East Lincolnshire Council is obliged to deal with.

Sites could potentially become small housing developments, gardens or given to community ownership under the plans.

One of the sites which could be looked at is the plot of a demolished house on Ripon Street in Grimsby.

The empty space is frequently used to dump rubbish and sees anti-social behaviour.

If a new owner is found, it could potentially help to solve the problems there.

Only sites which have no benefit to the local area in their current state would be considered.

A council officer said: “Some of these pockets of land are subject to anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

“Bringing them to market would allow us to explore opportunities to transfer the ownership.

“We may consider less-than-best offers or peppercorn rent where there is significant social value in them being handed over to the community.”

The report was presented to the Economy Scrutiny panel and will go to Cabinet for approval in December.

Ward councillors would be kept involved in decisions about plots in their ward, and only a selection of five sites would be put on the market at once.

Officers also confirmed that there had been interest in Welholme Galleries, a Grade II listed council property which was previously used to house museum artefacts and display local art but has been vacant for some time.

It is on the market for £200,000 after a 2018 decision to sell it.

It is hoped that new owners can be found to take over maintenance and bring it back into regular use.