Plans to create a list of historic buildings in South Holland to protect them are progressing and being taken on by the Spalding and District Civic Society.
While some buildings are nationally listed, a list can also be created for those that are locally important.
The plan to create one came from a meeting of South Holland District Council and it is being taken on by portfolio holder for heritage Coun Elizabeth Sneath.
The Spalding and District Civic Society is encouraging anyone to get in touch with councillors to add a building which they feel should be listed.
In his monthly newsletter, its chair John Bland highlighted The Old Johnson Hospital as an example of a building locally important that hasn’t been given the protection of listed building status nationally.
Whilst not having the legal standing of a national listing, a local listing can give a building some protection against a threat from developers,” Mr Bland said. “Proposed buildings don’t have to be old.
“Take the Savoy, (most recently Majestic Bingo) the sole survivor of the three art deco cinemas built in Spalding in the inter-war years.
“It is a striking example of 1930s architecture and a very distinctive feature of the Westlode Street street scene.
“Nor do they have to be large. Have a look at the little shop squeezed into the north side of Station Street when you’re passing.”
l Mr Bland also used the newsletter to ‘talk Spalding up’.
“Despite fears that the delay in the first instalment of the £20m award, expected for this year, would make it too late to save Spalding, there is actually a lot already making visible improvement in the town – with much more soon to come,” he said highlighting the Spalding Reconnected project, the living willow sculpture and new waymarkers in the town cent as well as the sheep and cattle stone sculptures as part of the MARK-IT Trail to be unveiled on Saturday, March 15.
“There is much to be positive about, so, I say to everyone who cares about Spalding, whether they be councillors, residents or journalists – be positive.
“The best way to sell our town and help it to thrive and even encourage new shops to open in the town is talk the town up, instead of talking the town down.
Where there is need for improvement, then offer practical ideas for how things can be improved, instead of simply talking about the decline without offering solutions
“Only by coming together can we make positive things happen.”
