Plans to revamp Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex are set to get green light

A £26million project to transform an ageing leisure centre into a health and wellbeing hub have been recommended for approval.

The Castle Sports Complex in Spalding could finally be getting new swimming pools and 3G pitches if members of South Holland District Council give the scheme the green light at a meeting next week.

Improving the town’s leisure centre has been a long-held ambition for the area and in 2023 the town received a £20million Levelling Up grant.

But concerns have been raised about the length of time being taken to progress the project along with changes - which includes making the swimming pool floor fixed rather than flexible.

A report to Wednesday’s planning committee states: “The proposed development is for a use which is considered appropriate when assessed against the relevant policies in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan and National Planning Policy framework and is therefore considered in principle acceptable.

“The application has provided a significant number of revised documents and plans to show how the development could be accommodated without any material harm on the character or appearance of the area, amenity of nearby residents and highways safety.

“There are also no material considerations that weight against a proposal and as such the planning balance is in favour of the development.”

The application requests permission to demolish the existing swimming pool building following the construction of a two storey extension including basement area to existing Castle Sports Complex building to provide new and upgrade indoor leisure and health related facilities.

These facilities include two new swimming pools, plant area and changing rooms.

It is also proposed to reconfigure the existing building to provide new and upgraded sports facilities and physical activity facilities and related supporting services.

The provision of a new 3G artificial turf pitch, an Informal Outdoor Games Area, other outdoor play areas, an informal running trail/track, a health and well being garden are also included.

The application is also looking to add an outdoor splash pad relating to the new swimming pool.

The committee is also recommended to approve a second application to replace the existing swimming pool building with an extra care housing facility of up to 70 units.

The application for the Castle was due to be appearing before November’s planning committee meeting.

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