A long-term attempt by Big Local to improve the North Beach itself for the benefit of the public
When? 2012-2022
Our North Beach project story…
North Beach refers to the part of Cleethorpes beach at the end of North Promenade and leading around to the ABP site. This has long been known as the “residents beach” and is used by walkers away from the main tourist beaches of Cleethorpes.
However, when Big Local North Cleethorpes was getting started it was clear that residents were concerned that the beach could not be used safety due to sea wall breaches and lack of clean up after major construction works that had left dangerous debris across the beach.
Local resident Robert Palmer had long been researching the beach and campaigning for its improvements. When Big Local North Cleethorpes was first setting priorities it became clear that it was an important objective to try and restore the North Beach to a state where it could serves a safe and clean amenity space for local people.
Big Local set aside a budget for cleanup work and began confirming ownership of the beach. It was evident that work on the beach could only be effected in consultation with the relevant environmental and marine management agencies and critically, with the permission of the landowner. It is the latter point which caused prolonged difficulties.
Over a period of many years, Big Local North Cleethorpes, in the person of resident Robert Palmer with the assistance of Development Worker John Mooney, has taken legal advice, entered into correspondence with the Crown Estate and done research at Hull University in order to establish not just the ownership and conveyancing history of North Beach, but also the extent of the ownership rights and responsibilities beyond the high water mark and into the River Humber.
That research was at the time compiled into a history of ownership of the beach and riverbed and the Big Local partnership got agreement from the Crown Estate that the evidence compiled represents the clearest picture of the beach history and current ownership.
That research indicated that when land was conveyed from the railway and dock owners to Cleethorpes Borough Council in the 1970s, the whole of the beach and riverbed became theirs and therefore the successor body, North East Lincolnshire Council is ultimately responsible for it.
The sticking point then became that NELC would not fully accept the evidence presented and responsibility. Despite a range of legal support funded through Big Local, ultimately not enough ownership responsibility could be defined and therefore Big Local was never in the position of starting the development works on the beach.
This was a shame after many years of research, investigation and campaigning. In 2022 Big Local had to make a decision on the held funding budget and it was reluctantly decided to stop the pursuance of the North Beach project and to invest the budget in other projects and programmes instead. Whilst the funding went on to deliver many very different local projects, it was a shame to all involved that the North Beach restoration work never managed to proceed.
Other works have been carried on on the beach area over the intervening years and local residents continue to use the North Beach site and it’s still worth a visit if you’re in the area.
A public amenity
The local community enjoys the benefits North Beach brings. And if you explore the beach there are interesting things to find. The interesting things to find on the beach was just one part of why Big Local was keen to try and support the restoration of the beach.
Cleaning up the Beach
The condition of North Beach in 2012 when Big Local North Cleethorpes was getting underway was very poor. Debris was on and in the beach making it unattractive and sometimes dangerous. It was this condition of the beach that lead Big Local to the desire to help clean it up and improve it.
A beach to enjoy
A bit of historical research
