A retail plan has been put forward to bring the empty area of Spalding’s former White Hart Hotel back into use.
St Barnabas Hospice wants to create a shop, ‘library’ and café on the ground floor of the historic Grade II* listed building, which dates from about 1500.
An open plan format is proposed with separate retail sections for men’s, women’s and children’s items. The books area includes window seating and a café would have a mix of high bench seating and tables and chairs.
Heritage consultant Elizabeth Mayle welcomed the building’s vacant part potentially being given a new lease of life.
In a heritage statement, which accompanied the planning application, she said: “The proposed works will not result in any serious harm to features of heritage significance.
“This work, overall represents reversible additions (shelving, flooring, lighting, and other fixed built-in furniture).”
She added: “Any small amount of harm that may arise from these proposals is substantially outweighed by the public benefit, which is to ensure the building is used, at least in part, when it has lain vacant for some time.”
Some of the property is occupied by Shanghai Garden Restaurant.
St Barnabas Hospice currently has a charity shop in New Road and the Jenny Freeman Lodge day centre in Clover Way.
Its mission is “to ensure all individuals facing the end of their life in Lincolnshire receive dignified, compassionate care when they require it and where they ask for it”.
The charity, which is based in Lincolnshire, declined to speak to The Voice about the application before it is determined by South Holland District Council – estimated to be by September 19.
