Derelict Sutton Bridge Bridge Hotel would ‘not represent value for money’ – council

A leading councillor says the authority will not be able to bid for a derelict hotel because it would not represent value for money – but has promised to look at another grot spot.

South Holland District Council leader Coun Nick Worth says the £180,000 asking price for The Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge has ruled the authority out of the online auction on February 15 following the advice of the district valuer.

The Bridge Hotel has stood derelict for many years at the entrance to the village and hopes were dashed last year when the last owners did not take any redevelopment works with the site.

Coun Worth, in responding to a question from Coun Allan Beal about why the council was not bidding, said that last time the council went to the top end of what they were authorised to spend by the district valuer.

He said: “We have to get value for money.

“What they are asking for currently is considerable. We are not allowed to go that extreme amount of money.”

Long Sutton councillor Andrew Tennant had asked the council to look at sorting another grotspot, The Bull Hotel, and follow the example of Boston Borough Council in being proactive with enforcement in conservation areas.

He said: “If we could look at Long Sutton and look at their approach to see if it proves more successful than the other route that we take in South Holland to let things lie.”

Coun Liz Sneath said that she would make it a mission to go to Long Sutton and get something moving.

Coun Worth later said: “We will look at the hotel and trying to get something moving there as it is a prominent site.”

Long Sutton Civic Society have also been calling on the council to take action on the Grade II listed building which is also derelict.

- Coun Worth has also agreed to write to The Environment Agency to discuss the damaged banks at Cowbit and Crowland Wash.

In a rare move, fellow cabinet member Coun Jim Astill asked if the council would write to the agency on the banks.

He said: “Can this council write to the EA and make sure that they are going to take their responsibility and seek assurance for a timeline of repairs.”

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