Boston Borough Council passes plans for Crown House

Plans to transform the site of a former government building in central Boston have been given the green light.

Boston Borough Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead during a meeting on Tuesday (January 14) to replace the Crown House on Lincoln Lane with a mixed-use development featuring ground-floor retail units and apartments on the upper two storeys.

Provisions for new public toilet facilities and the relocation of the existing Changing Places facility are also part of this redevelopment.

The council acquired the site in November and the plans are part of its broader Rosegarth Square redevelopment, made possible by £14.8 million in Levelling Up funding granted in January 2023.

The major project also includes a public park stretching from the River Witham to the Len Medlock Centre, improved pedestrian routes, and art installations. Leaders believe the project will transform the square into a gateway to the heart of Boston, enhancing access to both the bus and train stations.

Plans outline space for nine apartments and four retail units on the site near the police station. However, during the meeting, the project manager for the construction explained that the ground floor would be a "flexible space" depending on available options, such as accommodating three retail units instead.

Deputy leader Coun Dale Broughton (Independent) strongly supported the proposal, highlighting its potential to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre by fostering improved pride of place.

He said: "As a town centre portfolio holder, I’m very aware this area is full of anti-social behaviour and I believe this plan will be a welcoming sight to both residents and new visitors to Boston."

Coun Stephen Woodliffe (Independent) questioned the security measures being introduced to the public toilets, noting instances in the past where people have started fires in them.

It was then explained that the public toilets would be a separate building, with access requiring payment via contactless methods. In the event of an incident, the system would allow tracing of the user through their card.

Ultimately, members of the planning committee supported the plans and voted in favor of the officers' recommendation to approve the proposal.