The controversial Bull and Monkie site in Spalding is to be cleaned up after all – but not by the property owner.
South Holland District Council says it will pay a contractor to do the work and then recharge the cost to the owner.
Notice was served upon Crispen Holdings last month to tidy up the Churchgate site. The 21-day order came into effect on October 8. However, as the deadline expired yesterday there had been no improvement.
Council leader Gary Porter said: “A contractor has been lined up to go and clear it up and secure the site.”
The notice required the owner to cut back all shrubs, and remove nettles, grasses and any other weeds, litter and all waste material resulting from the work.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for planning, said at the time: “This is a very clear message to the owners that South Holland taxpayers have had enough of their shoddy and irresponsible management.
“We are determined to deal with this unacceptable blight on our town, our riverside and our parish church.”
St Mary and St Nicolas vicar John Bennett welcomed the council’s latest move.
He said: “It’s clearly a major eyesore and has been for a long time. I’d like the people who own it to take responsibility for keeping it tidy but it appears that this notice has been ignored.
“I hope the council can recover the costs.”
The state of the former pub site is a frustration to Rev Bennett, who wants to see a new development of buildings in The Vista area much more in keeping with the historic neighbourhood.
Plans to replace the church hall are progressing.
