A councillor says Donington residents “feel like they’ve been kicked in the teeth” after the dilapidated Red Cow was put on the market by developers who had vowed to renovate the around 200-year-old building.
The prominent Grade Two listed former hotel on High Street has been empty and deteriorating for the last 15 years.
But it was hoped what has been branded an eyesore, would finally be transformed when in December current owners
Market Homes Limited were given permission by South Holland District Council to create 18 dwellings on the site and renovate the historic street front.
The permission included some demolition work to the rear of the building.
Residents say some of that work has been carried out, but were shocked to see the site listed for sale online.
Donington parish and South Holland district councillor Jane King worked with Market Homes Limited on the planning application.
“We just all feel like we’ve been kicked in the teeth,” she said. “They’ve had as much support from the village as possible including from the neighbour who has had scaffolding on his driveway recently.
“Now he’s worried about bricks falling off in his garden.
“A few people have said the developers might not have known how much money it would cost, but they’re developers, of course they know how much it will cost.
“They should be told to get their fingers out.
“It makes you think you can not believe anybody.
“The building is getting more and more dilapidated.
“They stood, in front of me, looked me in the eye and said ‘yes we want to do this’.
“They held an open day and people went away from it believing they were really interested. How dare they treat people like this.”
Market Homes Limited, said it was unable to comment as The Voice went to press.
