SIX-YEAR WAIT FOR NEW 'GREEN' AREA IN BRIGG

It is now six-and-half years since planning permission was granted to demolish a building within the Brigg Conservation Area, but it's still standing.
Formerly used to store the market stalls when not in use on Thursdays and Saturdays, it is located on Cary Lane, near the town's main bus stop.
Way back in January 2016 approval was given to knock down the building - a decision that was expected to result in a new area of green space being provided within the town centre. But there's still no sign of the wrecking crews moving in.
North Lincolnshire Council made the successful application to demolish the former storage building - there being no objections from the public, any groups or public bodies.
A report prepared by planners in 2016 stressed the single-storey brick building "makes no positive contribution to the character or appearance of the conservation area."
It added: "This is an unattractive building that has no historic or architectural importance to the area.
"The site sits in a part of the Brigg conservation area which is not particularly sensitive and the conservation officer advises that turfing the ground following demolition of the building will provide some visual relief in a part of the Conservation Area that has been subject to modern hard landscaping."
When granting approval for demolition of the building on January 21, 2016 the council added a condition that "the development must be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission."
Clearly, that's now long gone which suggests that a further application will have to made to renew the planning approval - taking up more time.
So why the lengthy delay in demolishing the building and creating the turfed area between Cary Lane and Coney Court?
We have put this question to North Lincolnshire Council, from time to time, since permission was granted.
In July 2018 the authority told Brigg Blog: "Before we go ahead with the demolition of the market storage unit on Cary Lane, we are making sure plans are in place for the future use of the land."
We asked to be kept informed of any action, but no update has been forthcoming.
Yesterday morning (Monday) Brigg Blog asked the council for a statement to explain the current position - reply awaited.
Demolishing a building within a conservation area is not commonplace, but the authority, through the granting of planning permission in 2016, regards this structure as an exception.
The market stalls have been stored away near the Angel building for a number of years.

PICTURED: A recentl view of the former storage building on Cary Lane, with Coney Court & Brigg & District Servicemen's Club beyond.