Medieval remains could be buried below potential care home site… while civic society object to Spalding plans

A derelict town centre site could have a ‘high potential’ to be hiding archaeological remains dating back to medieval times – or even earlier.

Plans to transform Spalding’s former Bull & Monkie pub into an 88-bed care home were submitted to South Holland District Council earlier this year.

However, calls have been made to further survey the site before any potential construction can begin – while Spalding Civic Society has formally objected to the plans.

Responding to applicant Crispen Holdings’ hopes of developing the area, Jim Bonnor of Lincolnshire County Council’s Historic Places Team stated: “This site is located within the heart of the medieval settlement of Spalding.

“The desk-based assessment accompanying the application correctly identifies that there is a moderate to high potential for significant archaeological remains dating from the early medieval to the post-medieval period.

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“It also identifies that remains of earlier periods may extend to the site.”

Mr Bonnor added there is ‘currently insufficient information’ available to determine the significance of the site or how they may be impacted by the proposed development.

Pointing to the South Lincolnshire Local Plan, which states developers would be required to undertake field evaluation before an application is granted if initial assessment doesn’t provide sufficient information, he called for further information to be sought.

“It is recommended, therefore, that the results on an archaeological trial trench evaluation should be submitted in support of the application,” Mr Bonnor added.

“The current condition of the site would permit an evaluation to be undertaken before the current building needs to be demolished and so I see no reason why this evaluation should not be undertaken prior to determination of the application in order that the design of the buildings can take account of any archaeological remains.”

When plan were announced, the Rev John Bennett, vicar at the adjacent St Mary and St Nicolas church, said he felt the proposed building ‘may be too big’, a statement echoed by the Spalding Civic Society – who have formally objected to the application – in their latest newsletter.

“We agree with that sentiment. Indeed, there is not a single drawing or computer image that shows the building in relation to the Church.,” chairman John Bland wrote.

As well as fears the proposed care home may block the view of the church, the society have also questioned ‘the lack of parking provision’ as well as the design.

“The Church Gate elevation is intended to look like a ‘large single Georgian detached house’ – except it doesn’t,” Mr Bland continued.

“There are many examples of actual Georgian buildings in the town that feature the three main elements of Georgian design: symmetry (Welland Terrace), marked eaves lines, whether ornamental (Wisteria Lodge) or projecting (The Sycamores) or a parapet (centre of Welland Terrace), and a pediment.

“Holland House displays all three. Even Merchant’s House (High Street), built in 1996, manages it correctly.

“The proposed care home’s final insult to Georgian architecture is the unnecessary vehicle arch, which, out of all proportion, looks more like a Victorian railway tunnel.

“Lastly, whilst the developer asserts that the design echoes the historic context of Holyrood House, it does nothing of the sort. Holyrood House (where the Social Services building now stands) was set further back from the road than even Ayscoughfee Hall.

“The proposed care home is directly on the roadside, and does not follow the building line of even the Bull & Monkie, which is set back from the road.”