It’s been revealed a historic waterway unknown to local historians has been discovered on a site where 18 flats in Spalding have been recommended for approval to be built.
South Holland District Council is recommended to accept the plans for the former Fitness Company at Spring Gardens when it meets on Wednesday, March 13, despite opposition from local residents.
The plans submitted by Minister Building Company seek to change the existing building to include four two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments.
In addition is a proposed new four-storey apartment building including 12 one-bedroom apartments, and associated external works and infrastructure.
The report to the committee includes a response from Lincolnshire County Council’s Historic Environment Officer which states investigations had taken place to try and find part of a former priory.
The response says: “This evaluation has revealed that no remains of the priory buildings exist within the site.
“However, beneath a layer of post medieval levelling the evaluation revealed a historic former watercourse, which was cut by a gully of medieval date that also contained redeposited Saxon pottery, animal bone, Roman roof tile, and a fragment of burnt daub (walling from a timber building), and second gully containing Saxon pottery of 11th century date, as well as further probable Roman tile and animal bone.
“This likely indicates the presence of earlier activity in this area, which has not previously been identified in this part of Spalding.
“Such remains rarely survive as they are often destroyed by later activity, and are therefore of greater significance for the light they can shed on the earliest origins of the town.”
There has been 22 objections from residents who highlighted concerns on the new building being overbearing, the building’s look, concerns over refuse and traffic particularly due to no parking spaces included as part of the application.
Secure cycle parking is to be provided, however.
Other objectors include Spalding and District Civic Society, who described the proposed new building as “monolithic” who and ward councillor Jack McLean who in his objection highlighted that the building is in the Spalding Conservation Area and close to The Old Police Station and Sessions House which are both listed buildings.
The Design and Access Statement submitted by the applicant as part of the applications highlights the benefits of the road links to the site and distance by road from the A16, Peterborough and the A1.”
Recommending the plans be approved, planning officer Mark Simmonds, said: “Objections raised by adjacent property owners and users have been deliberated upon and addressed by the applicant who has taken a considered approach towards design and layout given the constraints that the site and adjacent areas present.”
