A building at the heart of a row over its potential use for asylum seekers has not been revamped to the approved plans, council officers say.
Last week South Holland District Council issued a release stating its objection to a Home Office plan to house around 30 asylum seekers at the redeveloped Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge.
It led to a large amount of negative comments on Facebook and a protest by a group called ‘Unite The Right’ last Sunday, which organisers say they will continue to hold every week.
Last year API Property Investments, a company run by Rob Bridgewater and Jamie Sandford was given planning permission to turn the building which had been derelict for 16 years, into 15 flats.
But last week the district council refused a planning application to amend it by creating a new bedroom and enclose an external staircase.
The report of the ‘Decision Delegated to the Head of Planning’ says it did so because it ‘remains unable to properly assess the impacts ‘due to the inconsistencies between the submitted plans and the operational development presently undertaken on site’.
The report continues: “Officers are not satisfied that the submitted plans accurately or comprehensively reflect the cumulative form of development undertaken and/or proposed at the site. Furthermore, the operational development undertaken includes replacement external brickwork which appears visually discordant, poorly matched and unsympathetic to the established historic character and architectural composition of the former Bridge Hotel.
“The cumulative effect of the works materially harms the architectural coherence and visual integrity of the building and fails to demonstrate a sensitive approach to the conversion of a prominent historic structure.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Due to ongoing discussions over this matter with the owner/applicant and it would not be right for us to comment at this stage.”
They did say the council is ‘now awaiting a formal response from the Home Office’ after it became aware of indications that API Property Investments does not intend to let apartments for use by the Home Office’.
The Voice has contacted API Property Investment but has not had a response.
South Holland MP Sir John Hayes has called a public meeting to discuss the asylum seeker issue which is taking place at 7pm on Friday (June 5) at Sutton Bridge’s Curlew Centre.
He said: “Sutton Bridge can be sure of my stalwart opposition to this and my staunch support for my constituents.”
Lincolnlshire Police say ‘approximately 150 people attended’ last Sunday’s protest.
“Officers were present to provide reassurance to the public and to maintain the peace,” a spokesman said. “The day passed without any arrests.”
