Spalding Town Board say ‘no firm commitments’ have been made as speculation grows over the use of Levelling Up money to buy the old Johnson Hospital site

‘No firm commitments’ have been made over the future of a former hospital site according to the man who is charged with turning around a town’s fortunes as speculation grows that £20million Levelling Up money will be used to buy it up.

‘Taking forward negotiation of ownership’ of the former Johnson Hospital in Spalding is listed as a priority within the new South Holland Cultural Framework document along with finding a suitable use for the site - which could include affordable housing.

The Victorian gothic style building was once one of the town’s architectural highlights but has been allowed to languish and decay after being sold by the NHS in 2010 for just £180,000.

Minutes from the July 8 meeting of Spalding Town Board - the group charged with creating a vision and three year investment plan for the town - show members were considering allocating money to dealing with the run-down hospital site.

The board, which ran a consultation last year to find out people’s priorities, was due to submit its plans to the Government in August but this was pushed back due to the election. The Government has not yet issued a fresh deadline.

Robin Hancox, Chair of Spalding Town Board said: “The board is continuing to finalise the vision and plan for Spalding so we are ready for the new submission date which we await from government. We have made absolutely no firm commitments at all.

“The consultation we carried out in the summer allowed us to understand people’s views and hopes for Spalding, and the feedback revealed that people’s top priorities for the town were: Tackling anti-social behaviour and improving community safety; More attractions and things to do in the town; Improving and tidying up the high street and market place; Maintaining Spalding’s heritage (e.g. restoration of historical buildings).

“The consultation also identified people’s priority areas for investment as the town centre, the riverside / waterfront area, and the market place.

“The feedback that has been shared with us has been invaluable, and has allowed us to understand what matters to the local community, and what people’s priorities are for investment in Spalding.”

South Holland’s new cultural strategy follows four themes of ‘culture for all’, cultural infrastructure, cultural places and cultural health and wellbeing.

The old Johnson Hospital features within the cultural places section of the framework - which calls to ‘re-animate heritage assets’.

It states: “Unused heritage assets: Finding a sustainable use for Old Johnson Hospital is very important to the people of Spalding. Take forward negotiation of ownership of the site and feasibility of various uses including community use and affordable housing.”

It also states: “A group is emerging ‘Old Hospital Network’ seeking to develop one of the district’s under-used buildings as a n artists’ studio and creative hub. possibly the Old Johnson Hospital, as arts and community venue.”

The refurbishment of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society museum and ‘Culture and environment pathfinder’ were also included within this section of the framework.

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