“It’s so positive to see the area being improved”: gardening groups help in Pier Gardens regeneration

Members of Grimsby in Bloom and Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL) came to the site to pick a number of plants and flowers to be replanted in their respective gardens. Those picked by VANEL will be used to create a 24m long border at Immingham family hub whilst those selected by Grimsby in Bloom will be used in their rose garden.

The Pier Gardens project comprises one element of the wider Cleethorpes regeneration which will see this, Sea Road and the Market Place reimagined to benefit residents and visitors alike.

During their visit, the groups collected a range of shrubs and plants including lavender and bamboo. Rob Patchett, VANEL, was thrilled to be a part of the project and is glad to be giving the plants a new lease of life.

He said: “I think this is an excellent idea and it’s great to be able to come and rehome some of these plants. We wouldn’t want them to go to waste so we’re thrilled to have been a part of this.”

With their new plants, the team are looking forward to putting them to good use. “We do a lot of work with the family hubs and some of the plants we’ve chosen today will be used at Immingham family hub.

“Others will be replanted at our West Marsh allotment site. Personally, I like the fact these plants will be spread across the borough so there will be a little bit of Pier Gardens in numerous locations across North East Lincolnshire,” he added.

John Walker, Grimsby in Bloom, was also in attendance and thrilled to see the regeneration plans taking shape. “We’re doing a lot of work in relation to regeneration in Grimsby so it’s great to be involved with Cleethorpes too. It’s great to see the area improve as these plans become a reality.

“The plants we’ve chosen will be used to build up shrubbery in our rose garden and be used by our volunteers to learn how to care for plants.”

Within the project, more plants and trees will be added to the various sections of the regenerated Pier Gardens and the biodiversity improved with existing trees within the site of significant importance to the design ethos.

The Council are fortunate to have large, healthy mature specimens to incorporate within this design to offer scale, setting and excitement to larger proposed elements such as the play structures.

The strategy for the site is to retain as many of these key larger specimens as possible. Where trees have been removed this is to open up views in key areas, facilitate elements of the design or to benefit the wider health of other trees across the site.

In regards to plants within Pier Gardens, schemes have been influenced by local habitat types, particularly the natural character of South Beach which hosts a variety of plant species adapted to the coastal environment.

This includes hardy grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that support numerous bird species and insects. Native grasses and low-maintenance perennials will feature through the gardens creating sand dune planting to link in with the context of the site and provide a playful, dynamic that moves and changes with the seasons.

Habitats for local wildlife such as insect hotels and bird boxes will be nestled within the proposed planting schemes, which include areas of wildflowers and plants that support pollinators.

Interpretative and educational signage informing visitors of the local environment, the importance of the SSSI, and its rich eco-system that supports numerous species of birds, insects and marine life, will feature throughout the gardens. In turn, visitors will be given the chance to further explore the enriched biodiversity and species of plants and trees on offer.

With the project underway, Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Skills, said: “This is a great opportunity that the Council are thrilled to have been able to offer.

“This regeneration scheme marks huge positive change for Cleethorpes and we wanted to preserve as much of the old site as possible.

“This scheme means there will be a piece of the former Pier Gardens all over the borough, which is a lovely thought. However, we are also eager to see the updated environmental provision on the site. With a wider range of trees and plants, it will reimagine the area completely whilst in keeping with our aim of furthering North East Lincolnshire as a sustainable, eco-friendly borough.”

Around £18.4 million of Levelling Up grant monies was awarded to North East Lincolnshire Council in January 2023 to help transform Pier Gardens, Market Place and Sea Road.

For more information on the Pier Gardens projects, visit Pier Gardens - NELC | NELC