June 12, 2018 9.37 am This story is over 69 months old

Spalding town centre flats set for approval

Many believed it’s an overdevelopment
Proposed development for private car park in Spalding town centre.

Councillors in South Holland are recommended to approve a residential development for over 55s in Spalding town centre after delaying a decision on the plan.

Planning permission is being sought by Taylor Pearson Developments for a block of 35 apartments on Drapers Place in Spalding Town Centre..

A decision on the plan had been deferred by South Holland District councillors at a meeting in April.

The application seeks approval to demolish existing unused buildings at the site to build the development on land which is currently used as a private car park.

If given the go ahead, the application would also see 15 car parking spaces on the site.

Access to the courtyard development would be from Francis Street and Drapers Place.

A further means of access for servicing/emergency vehicles and a number of car parking spaces would be created from The Crescent.

Councillors are expected to make a decision on the plans at a planning committee meeting on June 13.

The applicant said that the site had suffered from vandalism and graffiti, which meant it was not used as much as a private car park.

They added that its redevelopment will have the potential to reinvigorate and enhance the surrounding area.

But councillors deferred the proposals due to overdevelopment concerns and waste collection at the site.

Members of the committee said they wanted clarification on the objections raised.

Councillor Roger Gambba-Jones, committee chairman, previously said: “I find it quite an extraordinary proposal and would find it amazing that anyone would want to live there.

“At worst the parking situation could be chaotic.

“I’m uncomfortable with an outright refusal at this stage. A sensible planning approach is a deferment.

“There’s a concern about mass and bulk of the development and insufficient parking.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Laura Eldridge, Conservative member for Long Sutton, said: “I think it’s 100% overdevelopment.

“I am concerned with regards to congestion and I think the development is a bit big.”