Plans to convert a former town centre pub to a shop and ten apartments have been rejected.
An application would have seen the former Black Swan on Spalding’s New Road disappear.
But a decision from a planning officer at South Holland District Council says the development would see the loss of a ‘valued community facility.’
“The applicant has failed to demonstrate, through robust and up-to-date marketing or other supporting evidence, that the public house is no longer economically viable, surplus to requirements or otherwise unfit for purpose,” said the decision notice.
The Grade II listed building is in Spalding’s conservation area and insufficient information had been provided on the impact of the proposal.
“In particular, the absence of complete and detailed elevation drawings and a proportionate assessment of the building’s significance, fails to demonstrate that the proposals would preserve or enhance the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building, or the character and appearance of the wider Conservation Area,” says the notice.
A Design and Access statement prepared on behalf of the applicants, M Yousaf and T Mahmood, said the building was an eyesore.
“With the current economic situation, the building is not viable to be turned back into a public house and opened as a successful business, this will also attract more anti-social behaviour in this part of the town. The listed building needs considerable maintenance and repair, which includes the front facade, re-roof and replacement windows and doors,” said the document.
The proposal included converting the building into ten self-contained units, with a two-storey extension to the more modern building at the rear of the old pub.
“The apartments will provide emergency, short and long-term housing needs for many people in the town. The property will be managed and maintained to a high standard,” continued the application.
There would also have been one retail unit on the ground floor with four apartments. There would be little change to the front elevation aside from maintenance and repairs.
It was on the market from December 2023 with an offer in June 2024, before the current owners took it on.
“We asked around by word of mouth and had a couple of people to view” said the owners, but not accepted by the planners as it fell short of illustrating no viable long-term future for an existing public house.
