Spalding District and Civic Society blast Bull and Monkie care home plans as a ‘monster’ with decision due

A civic society has blasted plans to turn a grot spot site into a ‘monster’ 86-bed care home and demanded change before it’s too late.

Spalding and District Civic Society is calling for council leaders to reconsider the development plans for the ex Bull & Monkie — fearing the ‘worst planning decision’ for the town’s conservation area could be made tonight (Wednesday July 16).

Nearly two years after a proposal was first lodged for the former Church Gate pub, developers could now be given the green light by South Holland District Council planning committee, with officers recommending the proposal for approval.

The civic society wants to reiterate its concerns over the scale of the development, which was feared to be too imposing for the location – as it is near the town’s historic St Mary and St Nicolas Church and Ayscoughfee Hall.

A spokesman for the civic society said: “The society is not averse to change or new development.

“What we seek are developments that encompass the best principles embedded in their design and represent the best possible outcome for any site within the conservation area.

“When the first version of the present care home proposal was put forward, we asked the council to encourage the applicant to work with us to arrive at a better option for the site, and following the deferral of a decision on that application we asked the applicant directly if they would work with us. It is a matter of regret that there has not been the dialogue that we had hoped for.”

Crispen Holdings submitted the plans in August 2023 and proposed to demolish the derelict grot spot, which has been an eyesore in the area for many years after it closed in 2009.

Following the concerns raised by residents and councillors over the scale of the care home, developers returned to the site and proposed a new look, including the removal of a prominent archway from the designs, as well as changes to the windows and roof.

As a result of major political reforms – which could see South Holland District and Lincolnshire County Council axed in favour of large unitary authorities – the civic society leader, John Bland, suggested that the Bull and Monkie would be better off as a town hall.

The civic society said: “Spalding is going to have a town council. That body will need a town hall. Whether it is the existing building or a new building, it would not need to be four storeys high.

“A two-storey building would suffice on a much smaller scale. It could also be used for community events and complement the surrounding community assets. Building a town hall here would be consistent with the original intended purpose of the neighbouring social services building, which was to be the site of a town hall for the then Spalding Urban District Council.

“Peterborough made the mistake of permitting a five-storey office block to be built adjacent to St John’s church in the city centre in the 1960s. It was only rectified when that building was knocked down in 2009. Does Spalding have to repeat the same mistake.”

The latest report drawn up ahead of the planning committee meeting has recommended the plans for approval.

It acknowledged the risks to view the care home could pose – particularly to the historic parish church, however, it also stated the new building could enhance the surrounding sites.

On a social media post, the civic society said: “If approved this monster of a building is ever built, it will probably be looked at as being the worst planning decision affecting the Spalding conservation area that has ever been taken.”

A decision will be made at tonight’s planning committee meeting.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below…