Spalding Town Board calls for ideas from the public on how to spend £20 million Long Term Plan for Towns funding
People in ‘left behind’ Spalding are officially being asked to have their say on how the town’s £20 million fund will be spent.
Spalding has been chosen as one of the places that had been ‘overlooked and taken for granted’ and so in need of extra investment as part of the government’s Long Term Plan for Towns over the next ten years.
Now, it’s time for the public to share their thoughts as part of consultation that will help to shape a long term vision — and initial three year investment plan — for Spalding.
The money is separate from the Levelling Up cash being given to revamp the Castle Sports site, with plans set to be lodged for that today.
Residents are being asked for their thoughts on the priorities on the following themes:
*safety and security
*high streets
*heritage
*regeneration
*transport
*connectivity
In addition, ideas are also being sought on topics such as improving the waterfront and events and activities for the town centre, which build on the findings of a consultation that took place in 2023 around town centre use and access.
The town board set up to get a plan together for spending the money says people can get in touch in the following ways:
*Via a Freepost survey that will soon be arriving in the post
*Via an online version of the survey here
*Paper copies can also be picked up via the South Holland Centre and Boston College
*Anyone who wants to get a copy of the survey in a different language can email Spalding.TownBoard@sholland.gov.uk
*There’s also a chance to share ideas with the new website: Long Term Plan for Towns – Love Spalding
Events are also being planned for the town and will be promoted on the website lovespalding.co.uk and via Facebook and LinkedIn
The closing date for all feedback is Monday June 10.
The board says the consultation will build on previous surveys and zero in on themes such as improving the waterfront and making the town centre more appealing, topics which were highlighted in feedback given previously by Spalding residents.
Spalding Town Board chairman Robin Hancox said: “The Long Term Plan for Towns funding offers us a hugely exciting opportunity for Spalding, the chance to bring significant improvements that meet the needs of our town and local people.
“The new funding complements the investment that is already being successfully delivered in the town, such as through the construction of the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing hub.
“At the very heart of the Long Term Plan for Towns funding is the community and we really want to hear the public’s thoughts and ideas so that we can create a vision and a plan that reflects local people’s ambitions and aspirations for our town.
“We know from previous consultation how invaluable feedback is from the public, and if like us you Love Spalding, please do get involved and have your say today. We are listening.”
South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth said: “I really look forward to hearing from the community on how they see Spalding in ten years’ time and how we can use the £20m funding to make a real difference to the look and feel of the town.
“Feeling safe, making the most of our heritage and the many beautiful buildings in the town centre and importantly making it easily accessible for cycling and walking are all important elements of this. Let’s really think outside the box and come up with some innovative ideas. Please do let us have your thoughts - it is your town.”
MP Sir John Hayes added: “I have always believed that it is vitally important that popular views should shape how this money is used to best effect. I speak to countless people in and around Spalding all the time about the difference we can make, so I would encourage them to respond to make their views known.”
What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments below…
