Plans to transform an ageing leisure centre into a modern health and wellbeing hub could finally be getting the green light.
The £26million make-over of Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex has been recommended to be approved by members of South Holland District Council’s planning committee tonight (Wednesday January 8).
The district council has applied to demolish the existing swimming pool building following the construction of a two storey extension onto the Albion Street site to incorporate new pools, upgraded sports facilities, along with a 3G pitch, running track and other outdoor play areas.
Plans of how the Castle Sports Complex and Wellbeing Hub will look
It is also looking for permission to replace the swimming pool site with an 70 unit extra care facility – although the council is not expected to develop this.
Road safety fears regarding Albion Street following the death of a 62-year-old cyclist in January last year.
Cycle action group Pedals have asked for a 20mph speed limit to be imposed on Albion Street along with speed calming features.
An artist’s impression of the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub proposed for the Spalding Castle Sports Complex site.
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, which is part of the county council, initially raised concerns about the Albion Street entrance but it is now asking for ‘tactile crossing points’ along with a £14,000 Section 106 payment to improve bus shelters on Pinchbeck Road.
The report states that a technical note had been sent to both parties and is thought to have addressed their concerns.
The planning officer’s report states: “We are happy with the applicant’s response and on balance believe all concerns have been appropriately addressed a put forward by Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways and Pedals and in the case of the proposed development it has been demonstrated that there would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, nor would the residual cumulative impacts on the road network be severe.”
Coun Nick Worth at the Spalding Castle Sports Complex
But these were not the only issues highlighted with the application.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue stated that it requires a minimum ‘carrying capacity for hard standing’ of 18 tonnes for its fire engines and also expressed concerns about the width of access routes to the building.
The report states that the applicant spoke to the fire service about the width of the pinch points near the entrance to the sports centre.
Sports England had also raised an objection to the proposal over the loss of the playing field where a ‘surplus of playing field land cannot be demonstrated’. But it later withdrew that as the proposal to create a health hub meets a ‘strategic and local need for the area’.
Historic England had also raised concerns in the first round of consultation about potential archaeology relating to the Spalding Castle site which has been lost. Trenches had been dug earlier this year but did not find anything of significance but the body has asked for further assessment work to be undertaken.
The report also states that the proposal is due to create “401 net additional jobs for South Holland residents contributing over £22.5million per annum in GVA (gross added value).”