The £26m revamp of the Castle Sports Complex looks set to get the go-ahead next week, but only after the plans were initially objected to by Sport England over the loss of provision.
South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee have been recommended to allow the authority’s plans to create the South Lincolnshire Health Hub and give outline permission for the ‘up to 70 unit care housing facility’.
That is due to be on the site of the current swimming pool with one with similar dimensions being incorporated into the revamped dry side.
The plans were meant to be decided on before Christmas but in November a delay and changes to the layout were announced.
They included a new running loop and 100m sprint straight plus biking facilities.
According to the report to the Planning Committee that was because Sport England and the cycling group PEDALS initially objected to both proposals because of the loss of the playing fields.
Sport England initially said ‘the proposal would not fully secure sports related benefits’ also acknowledging that the new sports hall would be smaller, but did meet minimum guidelines for futsal and was just short for netball.
It withdrew its objections after the revised plans were submitted saying: “Based on this assessment the scheme would secure sufficient benefit to the development of sport as to outweigh the detriment caused by the loss of playing field and loss of existing sports facilities.”
One of the amended plans that caused most controversy was to remove a proposed flexible floor for the swimming pool which would have made it able to hold competitive swimming and meet guidance for Spalding Water Polo Club.
Mark Le Sage, a member of that club, and district councillor, said he’s met with council representatives including Coun Gary Taylor and the area’s two swimming clubs about the issue.
“They genuinely seemed disappointed that we couldn’t have a flexible floor to the swimming pool,” Coun Le Sage said. “They said they would need to find £4m funding to make it happen.”
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have objected to the revamp while Lincolnshire County Council requested £14,000 towards updating the Pinchbeck Road bus stop, but planning officer Sam Dewer says in his report recommending officers pass the plans that South Holland should only pay that if they want to.
The county council also raised concerns about the number of road traffic collisions on West Elloe Avenue, but the report says the increase in vehicle movements will be ‘modest’.
The report says the council believes the creation of the South Lincolnshire Health Hub plus associated accommodation will create ‘401 net additional jobs’ and create £22.5m a year towards the economy.
The care units would be ‘development comprising of self-contained homes designed to enable self-care and independent living through the use of design features and support services’.
The Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board has requested Section 106 payments of £27,527 because of ‘the additional demands this will place on GP services in the area.”
The South Lincolnshire Health Hub is being built by a £20m ‘Levelling Up’ grant.
The money needs to be allocated to a firm project by March.
South Holland District Council say, if the plans are passed by its Planning Committee, it is looking at starting work next April for a Summer 2026 completion.
