Planning permission has been sought for the interlinked play towers that would form part of the regeneration of Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes
Ivan Morris Poxton Local Democracy Reporter
05:00, 21 Nov 2025
A design impression for the proposed play tower area in Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes – the tallest tower would exceed 7m height(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
Further details have emerged over the planned regeneration of Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes, including new artistic impressions. A new planning application has been made to get permission to create a series of interlinked play towers.
These will be partly modelled on the Humber Forts. The proposed new play area will replace the disused crazy golf section of Pier Gardens.
The timber play structure would consist of three play towers with varying heights of 3.15m, 4.6m and 7.35m. It is because of two of the towers exceeding 4m in height that a separate full planning application is required.
A series of new design images of the redeveloped Pier Gardens have been released by North East Lincolnshire Council. These show the towers and other elements of the revamped gardens. When transformed, the new-look gardens will feature:
An ‘arrival’ area at the Sea Road end of the gardens. This area also features a small skate park, designed by international specialists, Betong Park, in collaboration with the local community.A ‘play’ area – which will feature both water play and play structures.An ‘education’ area – which will feature a small amphitheatre to encourage talks and presentations in the garden.A ‘contemplative and remembrance’ area – based around the memorials that are already in the gardens, close to Remembrance Gate.
An impression of the proposed play area with towers and landscaping in Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
The proposed play towers would be connected by bridges and chain paths. There would be multiple levels to each structure, climbing features, and access points to encourage inclusive play.
A new path that is part of the wider Pier Gardens improvement scheme will run between two of the northern towers. Two of the towers would be circular, representing the Humber Forts, Haile Sand and Bull Sand. The third would be a timber lookout tower offering views over the play area and gardens.
An impression of the planned educational era in the revamped Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
Mountain larch and steel footings would be used in the towers’ construction. “The existing site, currently occupied by a disused crazy golf course with poor-quality paving and seating, will be transformed by the proposed play structure,” contend WSP in a planning application cover letter on behalf of the council.
It goes on to assert the changes would be “a notable improvement to local character and the landscape”. A heritage statement concluded there would be no harmful impact on heritage significance as the disused crazy golf course is not a historic feature, and in a poor state.
A design impression of the planned water play area in the future new-look Pier Gardens, Cleethorpes(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
The Pier Gardens improvement scheme is one of three regeneration projects in Cleethorpes being backed by £18.4m Government Levelling Up Fund cash. The others are a new visitor-focused building in Sea Road, and the transformation of Market Place into a mostly pedestrianised space. Construction has not yet started in earnest for any of the projects.
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