Green light recommended for redevelopment of landmark waterside building

Plans for the redevelopment of a landmark building on Grimsby’s waterfront and the construction of a hotel on an adjacent site are recommended for approval when they go before councillors in the new year.Entrepreneur and developer Tom Shutes submitted detailed plans to North East Lincolnshire Council earlier this year for the Ice Factory, which once housed the world’s largest ice-making machinery – producing up to 1,500 tonnes of ice per day.Planning and listed building consent is sought to redevelop the listed property to create office, studio, and research and development space for the green maritime sector.In addition, an exhibition, conference and live performance venue could be created, capable of hosting between 150 and 1,000 visitors.An extension is proposed to the south building to create a new entrance, and new bridges would be created at first floor to connect the two buildings.The plans also include public realm works, car, coach and cycle parking facilities, and associated and ancillary works.The applications will go before the council’s planning committee on 3 January and are recommended for approval, subject to conditions, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said: “This proposal represents an exciting and important investment into one of Grimsby’s key historic buildings. The building has been in a declining condition for many years and remains at serious risk should no action be taken to secure a viable proposal for it.”The applicants have worked extensively with key heritage bodies and others, to propose a scheme which is both respectful and sympathetic to the heritage significance of the building, but equally one which can function and be successfully delivered.”Plans from Shutes for a new hotel on an adjacent site at Grimsby Docks will also be considered at the meeting.Approval is sought for the construction of a five-storey hotel comprising 161 bedrooms, as well as food and beverage areas, social spaces and a gym.An international brand has signed heads of terms on the new hotel, while leaf HOSPITALITY has also agreed terms to operate the venue.The plans also include 40 car parking spaces, alongside accessible and EV charging car parking spaces, and wider public realm works.The site has most recently been in use as car parking and for timber storage.This application is also recommended for approval, subject to conditions, at the meeting.The Ice Factory, which was nominated by SAVE as one of the 12 ‘most endangered’ heritage sites in Europe in 2017, was acquired in its derelict state by Shutes in 2021 from ABP. He subsequently commissioned architecture practice Waugh Thistleton to masterplan the wider site and design office, conference, leisure and food and beverage space, with associated public realm and car, coach and cycle parking facilities, for the sensitive restoration of the Ice Factory.