MORE than 80 per cent of those who have completed Grimsby Town's survey on its new stadium plans have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of the council helping the club relocate to Peaks Parkway.

More than 2,000 people have already had their say on Grimsby Town's plans to build a new £22 million Community Stadium within the next three to five years.

As reported, the club's director John Fenty announced at a press conference on Wednesday that he was hoping to include the project in North East Lincolnshire Council's Local Plan, which is currently being consulted on.

Of those who have completed the online survey since it went live on Wednesday, the latest figures available showed that 87 per cent said their preferred option for the council was for them to allocate a site for a new stadium off Peaks Parkway.

When asked whether or not the council should help the club relocate, 94 per cent said yes.

Mr Fenty said the figures showed that residents were "overwhelmingly in favour" of supporting relocation to Peaks Parkway.

He added: "We have had a fantastic response so far. While the football club knew there was significant support for its relocation to Peaks Parkway, these figures surpass all expectation.

"It's important that people do not take this message as job done – every single response will feed into influencing the make up of the council's New Local Plan."

Mr Fenty said the purpose of this exercise is to elicit opinion about the club's aims and objectives to relocate.

He added that while there has been "overwhelming" support for the club's plans for a new stadium so far, the message needed to be reinforced so that the project would be a "cornerstone" of the council's Local Plan – which looks to map out the authority's aspirations for the economy and area.

NELC has also set up a special committee to consider if there are any other sites in the borough that would be appropriate.

However, Councillor Andrew De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park), has distributed a flyer to residents in the area opposing the plans.

In this, he stresses the importance of protecting the green space and allotments already bordering Peaks Parkway.

The flyer reads: "Is there a need for a Community Stadium when the borough already has King George V Athletics Stadium, Bradley Community Football Development, Grimsby and Cleethorpes leisure centres and numerous other sporting and leisure venues?

"Will NELC close down all of these facilities to create the need for a Community Stadium on the green fields of Peaks Parkway? It would be insane!"

Mr De Freitas also added he has been "assured" that his petition with 2,800 signatures opposing the project will be taken into account during the council's Local Plan consultation.

He added: "With many more signatures added to our petition during the coming weeks, I am confident we will have a strong case to stop further loss of green space and allotments along Peaks Parkway."

Mr Fenty has challenged Mr De Freitas over his stance historically in relation to the football club's relocation and the Local Plan when he was leader of the council.

A raft of questions were put to the Park ward councillor by the club, which also challenged him on the leaflets he circulated.

Among the questions posed were what evidence he had that King George V and Bradley community pitches, as well as the allotments, were at risk if the club's proposals were delivered and why he turned down offers to consult with the club on the proposals for Peaks Parkway.

Mr De Freitas declined to answer the questions, saying: "I have no intention of having this debate with Mr Fenty through the Grimsby Telegraph. This is making it highly political and singling me out.

"It has been suggested I have a vendetta against the club and that is not true. He can phone me any time."

According to Mr De Freitas, Mr Fenty admitted during a radio interview that an enabling development would see 1,650 homes built on both sides of Peaks Parkway.

Responding to these claims, Mr Fenty said: "As part of the submission in terms of including the plans in the council's Local Plan, we provided two scenarios. The first was the stadium plus 1,650 homes and some small shops, while the second was the stadium plus a major retail and around 850 homes.

"Not all houses are necessarily going to be at Peaks Parkway, some will be spread out across the borough. We are planning to build either side of Peaks Parkway but other areas will be looked into to deliver the capacity.

"In response to questions relating to public transport, the club can confirm that the Peaks Parkway destination will accommodate a regular bus service, which will also be beneficial to local residents, the crematorium and the school."

Mr De Freitas said the development of a number of houses on Peaks Parkway would be "completely over the top".

He said: "It will be like a new village with Peaks Parkway running through the middle of it. Just think what that will do to traffic, it will result in a lot of serious congestion.

"I also think it is important we retain some of the green fields in urban areas, especially in and around a strategic strip."

He added: "The public needs to know there is still no planning application, and yet this has been going on since July 2012.

"I have no objections to Mr Fenty wanting to consult with people at the proposed site and to get their views. His vision for a new stadium is a matter for him and it is up to him to emphasise that the plans he will display have still not been submitted."

CLEETHORPES MP Martin Vickers has been given "assurances" that those affected by the closure of two power stations on the South Bank will be given help in finding new jobs.

Mr Vickers met with Centrica bosses yesterday morning regarding the planned closures of two of its power stations – one in Killingholme and the other in Brigg.

The firm has started talks with the 60 staff at both sites, but will retain the Stallingborough operation having had it up for sale for the past year.

Mr Vickers and Andrew Percy, the Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, met with Sarah Richardson, the director of public affairs and her colleague Will Heald.

The Cleethorpes MP said he was taken aback by the announcement when it was first made earlier this week, but was reassured after the meeting on Friday.

He said he will assist with any of his constituents who are affected by the job losses.

"It was a very useful meeting and I am satisfied that the company will work closely with the workforce to ensure that alternative employment will be found," he said.

"It is of course a blow to the individuals concerned and their families, but when you look at the broader image for the area I think we can be satisfied as we can be in the circumstances."

The announcement came as part of the annual financial results for 2014, which showed a 35 per cent drop in profits at the owner of British Gas.

It reflected challenging trading conditions, including extreme weather patterns – 2014 was a record warm year – and falling oil and gas prices, leading to annual dual-fuel utility bills emerging £100 cheaper.

About eight people are employed at Brigg, with around 50 at Killingholme's Chase Hill Lane site.

Prospect union negotiator Mike McDonald said he hopes the firm will be working hard to redeploy the staff affected by these closures.

He added: "I met with bosses at Centrica on Thursday and those talks went reasonably well. But due to the nature of the energy market at the moment jobs were always going to be under threat.

"From our point of view, Centrica have done everything they can to make the plant profitable in very demanding commercial circumstances. It is very difficult to run at a profit. Government policy is forcing stations to close."

It is the third blow to the South Bank's traditional industries after recent bad news for Cristal and Total's Lindsey Oil Refinery.

Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said he will be working together with Mr Vickers to get the best possible outcome for those involved.

"We need more of an explanation from Centrica," he said. "I'd have to question the competence of their management. They may have seen a drop in profits but that's no justification for closing two of its sites.

"Centrica are awash with cash from the sale of its assets in America, they should invest that money here.

"To close them now when there has been a temporary fall in prices when we need diversity of energy and gas production seems very short sighted.

"At least Total confirmed they would continue investing in the area, but Centrica are simply closing up and getting out."

GRIMSBY shopkeeper George Pillai has vowed to carry on serving his customers – despite being subjected to more than 60 crimes against his business.

The owner of Alexandra News, in Alexandra Road, said the attack to his mother had not tempted him "at all" to call it a day and close his shop.

He told the Grimsby Telegraph that since he opened the store nine years ago, there had been around 60 to 70 incidents of this nature – most of which, he believes, were motivated by racism.

"This sort of thing used to happen every week," he said. "It's calmed down a bit now as the police have put patrols up and down the road, which has helped.

"The PCSOs come in to ask us how we are doing and to see if things are okay, so they are obviously concerned about us. It's nice to have that security.

"But in the nine years we have been here we've probably had 60 to 70 incidents of this nature, and most of them involve racism in some form.

"I am determined to carry on the business, though. I'm not at all tempted to give it in."

In 2008, the owner was prosecuted for slashing the face of Ryan Baldock, a thief who was trying to steal a bottle of wine from the shop.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and was ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Pillai admitted wounding, but the case was described as "wholly exceptional" – Baldock himself wrote to the court questioning why Mr Pillai was being prosecuted.

In a letter sent to the court, Baldock said he "couldn't understand" why Mr Pillai had been charged, and that it was because of his own "stupidity" that the fight happened.

In the 18 months before the incident, there were 47 reports of crimes towards Mr Pillai and his family at the shop – ranging from the windows being smashed, to an incident in which his finger was broken.

Jeya Pillai suffered severe burning, swelling and blisters in her mouth and on her tongue during this latest attack, which saw Steffan Langston, 26, of Frederick Street, squirt ammonia in her face.

The 66-year-old thought she was going to die and branded it the worst "terror incident" she had ever suffered.

"It was terrible," George added. "Her face was completely swollen and her tongue and mouth had blisters all over it. Some of the spray even managed to get in her mouth.

"She is okay now, though, and she has recovered. There was no long lasting damaged or anything.

"But she did have to be taken to hospital and she was later transferred to Hull, where she spent two days."

A "CALLOUS" thief squirted ammonia in a terrified shop assistant's face – leaving her screaming in agony and temporarily blinded after the liquid caused burning and irritation to one of her eyes.

As her attackers escaped with a crate of lager – worth just £12.99 – the 66-year-old woman suffered severe burning, swelling and blisters in her mouth and on her tongue, a court heard.

The woman thought she was going to die and branded it the worst "terror incident" she had ever suffered.

However – despite this being the latest in more than 60 attacks on the shop – George Pillai, the shop's owner and the injured woman's son, has vowed they will not scare him off.

Steffan Langston, 26, of Frederick Street, Grimsby, admitted administering a poison or noxious substance with intent on October 23.

He and accomplice Christopher Fisher, 27, of Hull, admitted stealing the lager from Alexandra Road Newsagents. Craig Lowe, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Jeya Pillai, 66, mother of the owner of the shop, was working alone at about 4pm when Fisher picked up a crate of lager and left without paying.

She followed him out of the shop, in Alexandra Road, Grimsby, and Langston, who was standing near the door, squirted an ammonia-like liquid in her face.

"It caused burning and irritation to her left eye and mouth," said Mr Lowe.

"She was unable to see properly."

The victim, who is from Sri Lanka and "does not speak any English", screamed for help and was treated in hospital for severe burning, irritation and blisters in her mouth, especially her tongue.

She also suffered swelling to her throat, eyes and face and remained in hospital for three days.

The owner of the shop later recognised Langston from CCTV pictures and he was arrested. Police found a number of bottles of ammonia-like liquid at his home.

Fisher was traced from details found on Langston's phone.

Jeya Pillai later said in a statement that she struggled to breathe during the incident and thought she was going to die.

She thought it was "the last day of her life" and added: "I have never, ever in my life had a terror incident like this."

She later suffered flashbacks, nightmares and dreams that people were assaulting her.

The court heard Langston had convictions for 22 offences, including robbery, assault with intent to rob, theft and possessing a blade.

He had been jailed at Newcastle Crown Court for five years in 2010 for aggravated burglary and affray.

Fisher had convictions for 27 offences, including burglary, theft and breaching an antisocial behaviour order.

Andrew Bailey, mitigating, said it was a very unpleasant offence, involving entirely unnecessary behaviour from Langston, in relation to the ammonia.

"Drug problems were behind the defendant's offending," said Mr Bailey.

"He has a bad record. Thankfully, serious injury doesn't seem to have been caused. The information suggests a full recovery was made."

Simon Hirst, representing Fisher, said full and frank admissions were made. Fisher had been out of trouble for about 18 months, had expressed sorrow and had spent 17 days in custody.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told the pair: "This was a pre-planned theft between the two of you.

"The shopkeeper turned out to be a spirited and courageous lady. She, at 66, wished to intervene."

Langston sprayed the ammonia in her face in a "callous and very serious" attack. She suffered burning and blistering and described it as a "terror incident".

Langston was jailed for three-and-a-half years. Fisher was locked up for four months.

SAFE-standing IS on the agenda for Grimsby Town's proposed new stadium.

Following the results of their fans' survey last year, the Mariners Trust have been working alongside the club to have a dedicated standing section incorporated into any future plans for the new ground.

As reported, GTFC has announced three consultation events as the club bids to have the project included within North East Lincolnshire Council's Local Plan.

The first of these events take place tomorrow at the proposed site on Peaks Parkway (11am-3pm), with the aim being to gauge public opinion on the project.

The issue of safe-standing has been brought to the fore again this week, following the publication of a study by the Welsh Conservatives, which was backed by the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF).

The study found that supporters overwhelmingly back the introduction of designated standing areas at football grounds.

And Roberts, who is one of the Trust's two representatives on the club's board of directors, told the Telegraph that the inclusion of a standing area for fans within Town's proposed stadium has been agreed in principle.

"We've already spoken to the club extensively about incorporating a safe-standing element to any new stadium," he said.

"A while ago, we did a supporter survey and one of the questions on there was about safe standing in the new stadium, and the response was 80 per cent in favour – that was the proof we needed to show that there was a demand for it.

"We raised it with the club back then and we've continued to raise it since.

"The club are absolutely in agreement, in principle, with including a safe-standing section – it is something we want to do.

"The only concern is that there is a lot of discussion around legislation and the hope is that it doesn't mean that it wouldn't be cost-effective to include it.

"The principle should be that it's actually more cost-effective to have a standing area, because you can get more fans in there per square foot and have a bigger capacity.

"It would be a long way down the line in truth in terms of the actual planning of the stadium itself and of course that's a long way away yet.

"That'll come if we can get the project approved, but certainly the principle of having a safe standing section is already agreed."

He added: "The view from a lot of the fans is that it would be a very positive move.

"It would be controlled safe standing and only a percentage of the overall attendance.

"Seats would still be the most predominate, but the intention is to have adequate provision for those supporters who want to stand – so we are looking forward.

"As a Trust, we would see it as a very positive move.

"We're there to represent the fans and their views and knowing that's what the majority of fans want, we were very keen to work with the club on this and we're pleased to have agreed, in principle, on it."

On the need for a new stadium, Roberts added: "From the Trust's point of view, the critical thing is that we get the club onto a sustainable basis, so that we're not heavily reliant on one person.

"We need something that gives seven day-a-week revenues so that, on a year-in, year-out basis, that club is sustainable and paying its way – that's got to be the way forward and that's got to be with a new stadium."

PAUL Hurst is yet to decide whether to 'have another look' at Christian Jolley up front against Barnet this afternoon (3pm).

Ollie Palmer will again be forced to sit out the game at the Hive as he continues to struggle with the hamstring complaint that ruled him out of last weekend's defeat to Bristol Rovers.

His replacement that day was the former Newport County man, who partnered Lenell John-Lewis up front in an unfamiliar frontline.

Hurst's decision is now whether to ditch that pairing, or give it another go against the league leaders this afternoon.

"Christian has had one game up front for us, so is that it, or do we have another look?" he said.

"That's what I've got to consider ahead of this afternoon. Nathan (Arnold) can also play up there as can Ross (Hannah) and Hamish Watson, who will be involved today.

"JP (Pittman) is back again, but is nowhere near being able to play a full game again, so Hamish is an obvious candidate for that role."

Palmer's injury means that Hurst has been robbed of a player who impressed in the 3-1 win over the Bees, scoring his first goal for the club after joining on loan from Mansfield.

And while Hurst admits his absence is a blow, he's confident the club's other frontmen will step up to the plate today.

He continued: "Ollie did extremely well against Barnet at Blundell Park last month – that was the game when he really introduced himself.

"He had an excellent game and scored a good goal to give him confidence and also his willingness to stretch their defence was a big part of that victory.

"He will be a loss today, but when you're missing a player, it's a chance for someone else. We're more than a one-man team. The longer players are out of the team, the harder it can be to get back in.

"That's the way I've always worked – no-one is guaranteed a place in this team and that's the way it should be."

Live Blog BIG MATCH LIVE: Barnet v Grimsby Town (3pm) - Live and interactive!

GRIMSBY Town head to Barnet this afternoon, looking to do the double over the league leaders.

The Mariners put in a stunning performance to beat Martin Allen's side 3-1 in front of the television cameras last month and how Paul Hurst would like to see them repeat the trick today.

Town go into the game on the back of consecutive defeats to promotion rivals Forest Green and Bristol Rovers last weekend.

However, the Bees themselves are looking to bounce back this afternoon, having gone down 1-0 at Wrexham last time out.

Haven't made the trip to the Hive? Don't worry, you won't miss a kick with our live and interactive Big Match Live coverage from 3pm.

Humberside Police is to lose its force helicopter next year when it joins the National Police Air Service (NPAS).

Northern Lincolnshire will, instead, be served by a helicopter based in Wakefield.

Called 'Oscar 99', the current Humberside helicopter operates out of Humberside airport.

It is expected that the base will close in September 2016.

It comes as the NPAS announced plans to cut 10 of its helicopter bases over the next two years.

The Humberside force area, which covers East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, will then be served by aircraft based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

It means the nearest available NPAS aircraft will attend requests from forces rather than Humberside owning and operating their own helicopter in isolation.

Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehouse, of NPAS, said: "This move will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service and mean that every base supports police forces 24hours a day. It is a move based on an analysis of potential threat, risk and harm to the public we serve."

A WOMAN who had clocked up a huge list of 226 offences – and first took heroin when she was just 14 – has been jailed for 16 weeks after breaching a suspended prison sentence.

Penny Piggott, a serial offender who was given an antisocial behaviour order in 2010 because of "nuisance" thefts, was locked up after Grimsby magistrates condemned her "appalling record".

Piggott, 40, of Wellington Street, Grimsby, admitted theft from Sainsbury's in St Peter's Avenue, Cleethorpes, on September 13.

She admitted breaching a 26-week suspended prison sentence imposed on July 31 for assault and four theft offences.

Probation services officer Martin Fairbank told the court that Piggott had made "no progress whatsoever" on a community order.

Andrea Wilkes, mitigating, said mother-of-five Piggott had suffered accommodation problems since being released from prison in July.

"She has been homeless and has been living out on the streets," said Miss Wilkes.

"Each day was a fight over where she was going to live and what she was going to eat.

"She was using heroin from the age of 14 and became addicted to it. Any money she got was used on heroin.

"If she had no money from benefit, she would steal to fund that habit."

Unemployed Piggott was now drug-free and alcohol-free. She had not come before the court for any other offences since sentence was originally deferred in November.

The magistrates told Piggott she was being jailed because she had failed to comply with any aspect of her community order and had an "appalling record" for such matters.

ON THE WEB: More court news at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/crime

The Earl of Yarborough's son, Will Pelham, has made the Sunday paper gossip - because he is dating porn heiress India Rose James. 

Her late grandfather, Paul "King of Soho" Raymond, opened his Revuebar in the 1950s, and according to the Mail on Sunday, her boyfriend, Will has been helping her get her own photographic gallery up and running, which will be named the Soho Revue in his honour. 

When her grandfather died in 2008, India shared a £329-million inheritance with her sister Fawn.