The long-closed Goodfellows Primary School site in Spalding Common, Spalding.

Renewed bid for Spalding care home plan

A renewed bid is being made to gain planning permission for a care home on the former Goodfellows School site in Spalding.

Country Court Care homes says around 80 jobs will be created if it is allowed to redevelop the site with a 60-bedroom care home.

A document supporting the application said: “The business will create new full time and part time jobs and will boost the local economy as residents and their visitors will use the nearby facilities.”

In June, South Holland’s planning committee turned down the firm’s original plan, saying it was over-development of the site and would have “significant adverse impact on the character of the surrounding area by way of its layout, scale, form and design.” There were also concerns over the loss of protected trees and fears the scheme did not provide outdoor amenity space of sufficient quality or quantity for future occupants.

The revised plan shows the footprint of the Spalding Common building reduced, allowing for more space around it and the loss of three instead of four trees, one of which is protected.

First opened as a school in 1872, the building has been empty since closing in 2004 due to dwindling pupil numbers.

Although planning permission was granted in 2008 for conversion of the existing buildings into a care home that would not create space for enough rooms to make it financially viable, the latest application said. In addition the buildings had now fallen into disrepair.

It added: “The applicants are experienced care home operators and are fully aware of the increasing need for care home places.”

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