Long-standing Spalding grotspot could be left to rot for another year

An eyesore landmark could continue to deteriorate while the wait goes on for major investment to come through.

The former Johnson Hospital had been listed as one of the priorities of the Spalding Town Board, which had been formed to distribute £20million promised by the Government to turn around the area’s fortunes.

Spalding was listed as one of 55 ‘left behind’ towns which were in need of extra support over the next decade - but the money is not due to come through until 2026, prompting frustration at a lack of action over a long-running issue.

For more than a decade, the former Johnson Hospital had been allowed to rot in Priory Road after it was sold by the NHS for a paltry £180,000 to an offshore company.

One person who is calling for action to be taken on the old hospital building -which was built using money from the wills of spinsters Elizabeth Ann and Mary Ann Johnson - is Spalding councillor Mark Le Sage.

He said: “If we have been promised money by the Government as they class us as left behind money. Are they going to give us interest on that money?

“I think we need the money now so we can sort the things that need changing - it is unfair on the town board that they have to wait.

“Those guys are working really hard as a team to put things together for the benefit of the town and greater South Holland area but their hands are being tied as the money is being held back.”

There has also been considerable anger in the town that the owners of this once important building is able to get away with paying no business rates.

South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth, has stated in the past that he feels that the owners should be paying out business rates.

Currently the listing on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website shows only part of the former hospital is rateable as ‘offices and premises’. It is rated at just £5,500.

We did ask the VOA for information on what would need to happen to get the building re-classified.

A VOA spokesperson, who would not go into detail about individual cases due to GDPR rules, responded: “The Valuation Office Agency maintains rating lists of properties which local councils use to determine which properties are liable for business rates.

“If a specialist older property is replaced by a new facility in the area, the original premises may be deleted from the rating list. It would then not be given a valuation or be liable for business rates.

“Where there are multiple buildings or parts of a building used for different purposes on one site, they may be assessed separately.”

Estate agent Aaron Spencer, who is also a councillor, has questioned if the district council could request the VOA to revalue the property.

He added: “I would assume the council has powers to take action and enforce works to be undertaken much like they did with the White Horse.

“I never understand why the council couldn’t serve a compulsory purchase notice or approach the owner through planning and development to suggest what it could be pre-approved to be used for, i.e. town centre flats or apartments which would instantly make it appealing to developers.

“The fact it is just left, while we cannot generally build accommodation for people quick enough, seems crazy to me.”

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