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“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!” Community figureheads blast poll which places South Holland amongst 50 worst places to live in country




An MP has blasted a poll that places South Holland amongst the 50 worst areas to live in the country - adding: “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Sir John Hayes has come out fighting after the district was ranked 254th out of 291 across England in a recent survey compiled by The Sunday Times.

The South Holland and the Deepings MP hit out at ‘dry’ metrics, arguing the quality of life and sense of community in his patch deserves to be applauded.

Daffodils at Moulton, with the mill in the background
Daffodils at Moulton, with the mill in the background

Support for the area also came from South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth, who labelled the district ‘beautiful, safe and thriving’.

The poll used a number of metrics, including crime figures, NHS waiting times, education, listed buildings and Green Flag parks to compile its list.

“How can you measure the quality of life? You can’t,” Sir John said.

Sir John Hayes
Sir John Hayes

“People’s sense of place isn’t about a series of crude statistics. It’s about how they feel about a place.

“How do you measure landscape or community? Did we get marks for our church flower festivals or our Flower Parade? Did we get marks for the fact that in my village you can still buy your bread in the morning at your local shop and your meat at the local butchers?

“I think the trouble with these surveys is that we know the places that come top. It’s always places like Bath and Cheltenham and so on, because of the way these things are measured.

Historic Crowland Abbey is one of the many jewels in South Holland's crown
Historic Crowland Abbey is one of the many jewels in South Holland's crown

“You can’t measure a quality of life in those dry terms, it’s something much more fundamental than that.

“It’s about the strength of communities and the character of local people. The character of the people of the Fens is exceptional and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

South Kesteven - which includes the Deepings area of Sir John’s constituency - was ranked as the top district in Lincolnshire, the only one which didn’t fall in the bottom 100.

The River Welland in Spalding
The River Welland in Spalding

South Kesteven was placed 181st on the list, ahead of North Kesteven 226th, Lincoln 248th, West Lindsey 251st, South Holland 254th, East Lindsey 281st and Boston Borough 287th.

Neighbouring Rutland was placed 166th in the survey which came to its conclusions using crime rates, school successes (Ofsted reports and Progress 8, which measures improvements made by secondary school pupils), NHS treatment targets and waiting times, GP satisfaction, the number of listed buildings per area, community-listed companies and number of parks with Green Flags.

While Sir John admitted life is not perfect in South Holland, he believes this survey does not reflect the many positives within the area.

The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse at Sutton Bridge
The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse at Sutton Bridge

“There’s always things that can improve, and part of my job is to do that,” he added.

“Fundamentally there are strengths to our area built on the nature of the place and character of its people. Those things are the foundations to build on, and something these polls never measure.

Spalding, Long Sutton, Holbeach, Donington, Crowland and so on are important and special places and we should be proud of all the things we get right, rather than perpetually allowing national organisations to talk us down.

The Matthew Flinders statue in Donington, celebrating the village's famous son
The Matthew Flinders statue in Donington, celebrating the village's famous son

“There’s no value to talking down a place. Let’s be honest about what needs improving and celebrate what’s already in place.”

Coun Worth also dismissed the findings of the survey.

He said: “This survey is not representative of the thoughts of the majority of people who live in South Holland and the survey is based on a number of metrics which are out of the control of the district council.

South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth
South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth

“South Holland is a beautiful and safe district to live and a fantastic place to raise a family. It is a thriving district with so much to be proud of.

“People come to live in South Holland because housing is more affordable, people are friendly, the pace of life is slower and the quality of life with its big skies, abundance of wildlife and beautiful sunsets makes it a wonderful place to live.

Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens in Spalding
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens in Spalding

“I have travelled extensively and lived abroad for a short while but South Holland beats anywhere in the world for its stunning sunsets and quality of life.

“It is a great place to live. I am proud to call South Holland my home and I’m sure the many thousands who live and work here are proud to be part of such a fantastic community.”



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