The Spalding and District Civic Society have forwarded nine pages of objections to the town’s drinking fountain being re-erected in Ayscoughfee Gardens.
South Holland District Council is looking to return the fountain there, rather than in the town centre where it was originally erected in 1874 as a memorial to Mary Johnson’s donation towards better water mains in the town.
The society say it shouldn’t return to the gardens where it was sited from 1956 to 2018.
Among the lengthy objections are criticism of the council commissioned ‘independent’ Heritage Impact Assessment, the lack of community engagement over where it should go and the fact the council has said it will only be re-erected as a monument and not brought back into working use as a fountain.
It also suggests other locations are looked at including The Market Place, the Sheep Market, Swan Walk, Red Lion Street and the far end of Bridge Street.
It also criticises assertions the fountain needs security as listed by the Heritage Impact Assessment.
“Supposition is no basis on which to mount a planning proposal of community importance,” the society states. “It makes it difficult to take the HIA seriously.”
The society claims the council is not meeting its own planning laws.
“In the light of the many shortcomings of this application, we urge that it be rejected and call on the council to embark on a course of meaningful engagement – not least with the public – so that all future public money spent in connection with this application be spent where the residents of the town want to see it spent.”
Responding to the currently undecided planning application, Historic England says it ‘would normally recommend’ placing the fountain back where it was, but raise no objection’ and that the fountain would “enhance” Ayscoughfee.
“We understand from the application that reinstating the fountain in its original location in the market square (sic) is not possible because of the road layout and modern infrastructure.
“It is also the case that the fountain previously formed part of the registered park and garden.
“Therefore, reinstating it in an appropriate location within the groups of the hall would enhance the significance of the registered park and garden and Ayscoughfee Hall. It would give the fountain due prominence.”
The Lincolnshire Gardens Trust and Lincolnshire County Council’s historic environment officer Ian Marshman have also expressed support for the application in representations to the council.
