Spalding parish vicar fears care home could be ‘too big’ – as residents debate plans for Bull & Monkie site
A community leader says the 88-bed care home planned for a town grot spot site may be ‘too big’ for its prime location – with a debate raging on the suitability of the plans.
Last week we revealed that Crispen Holdings has finally lodged an application to transform the Bull & Monkie pub site in Churchgate, Spalding.
The location has become an eyesore since the pub shut in 2007 – blighting the town’s most attractive area and marring views of the town’s medieval parish church.
Rev John Bennett, vicar at the St Mary and St Nicolas church, said: “I am pleased that there is a proposal to redevelop the Bull and Monkie site. I am broadly sympathetic to the impression of the building we have seen.
“However, I think it may be too big. It would be helpful to have some drawings that show the proposal in the context of the buildings around it.
“I am also concerned that a care home for that many residents will have great difficulty recruiting enough staff and will take a long time to be fully occupied.
“I think a smaller building would fit in better and have more chance of not remaining on the drawing board for many years to come.”
The plans have sparked a debate among town residents – with mixed views on whether the care home is the best use of the prominent position by the river.
Posting on our Facebook page, reader Simon Lewis suggested an alternative. He said: “If I may put an idea into the pot - a nice 'park' area, with more flowers, seating.etc. A care home is not needed. A pub is not needed. Flattening that place IS needed. Just turn it into a ‘pretty’ area. That would take very short time, and cost considerably less.
“Look up Phoenix Gardens in London... an area like that would be just amazing. If it can be done in the busy and mental Shaftsbury Avenue... then why not our lovely town?”
Many readers have queried the need for more care home facilities in the town.
Samantha Hammond wrote: “We don’t need another care home that can not be staffed and managed. We simply don’t have the qualified people in this area.”
Freda Ball echoed that, adding: “Whilst it would look better than the current eyesore, we really don’t need another highly expensive care home in Spalding.”
Other readers were even more scathing of the proposed design.
David Gray said: “The front looks uncannily like Spalding's former prison in the Sheep Market!”
Greg Weedon added: “From a grot spot to an over developed eyesore. Personally I think I prefer the derelict pub.”
Others questioned whether this would do anything to help the town – with a separate debate on how to kick-start its fortunes raging.
Jonathan Coe added: “A care home slap bang in the centre of town? Really? When the town has been neglected for decades by the council and is crying out for basics like parking, shops, entertainment etc? This is the last thing we need.”
Others suggested a care home would be better placed in another town eyesore, with James Young-Hardy earning support for suggesting this would be a good use for the former Johnson Hospital site.
The plans are currently sitting with South Holland District Council for a decision – with no objections formally lodged.
What do you think about the plans? Join the debate by posting your thoughts below or sending an email to andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk
