HANDING control of Humberston Fitties to the owners of neighbouring Thorpe Park should not be the only option considered by the council for disposal of the site.
That was the view of members of North East Lincolnshire Council's Regeneration, Environment and Housing Scrutiny Panel, which met last night to consider a series of recommendations for the future of the Fitties.
Among ten proposals submitted to Cabinet by a select committee in January was looking at the possible disposal of the site.
As reported, talks are already underway with Bourne Leisure Limited, which must be offered first refusal on the management of the site as part of the conditions of its lease of Thorpe Park.
However, Councillor Peter Jackson last night said: "We should not restrict our negotiations to Bourne Leisure alone.
"We need to get the best deal for the council from this asset.
"Humberston Fitties is an important conservation area and whether it is managed by Bourne Leisure, another private investor or residents, it will still be protected."
Councillor John Fenty, pictured, added: "It defies logic to me that we would knowingly exclude other parties at this stage in proceedings.
"I think it would be wrong to discount Fitties residents if they wanted to self-manage."
Members of the panel voted to recommend to Cabinet that options for the future management or disposal of the site should be expanded upon, including considering freehold or leasehold disposal.
Dozens of Fitties residents attended the meeting to hear the discussion – see your Grimsby Telegraph tomorrow for their reaction.
The scrutiny panel will consider the contents of the report and make its own recommendations to cabinet ahead of a decision being made on October 14.
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