Listed bid for old hospital building

A Spalding resident who has successfully had listed building status granted for a town centre property has now turned her attention to saving the Old Johnson Hospital.

Jackie Allen, of Victoria Mews, has had her application to protect the 1871-built former Christian Association on Spring Gardens accepted as a Grade Two listed building by Historic England.

Now she’s also appealed for the same status be granted to the former hospital on Priory Road which opened in 1881.

It’s also been derelict for a number of years.

“I think it’s important we protect the buildings in Spalding,” she said. “We have to look after the town.

“There’s huge uncertainty about the old hospital and we need to protect it.”

Applying for the Spring Gardens property listed status follows an appeal having been lodged over South Holland District Council Planning Committee’s decision to turn down a planning application which would turn the building into flats and build a four storey block of flats in its car park.

The planning application and subsequent appeal for the property, which Jackie’s home backs on to, is from Minister Building Company. It’s most recent occupiers were The Fitness Company which sold the building two-year-ago.

Though unsure how it could affect the appeal, Jackie hopes that evidence she’s found on Google

Images of there being a former building on the site of the car park will help a decision in the district council’s favour.

She’s also calling on members of the public to give their feedback to the planning appeal before July 26.

“Members of the public could have images of the site including of the car park where it was claimed there was no previous building, when there clearly was,” she continued. “This is an opportunity for people to have their say on a major site in the town.”

Applications are to be made by writing to Planning Inspectorate Registry/Scanning, Room 3D, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN quoting reference APP/A252/W/19/3227640.

Jackie would also like to hear from anyone who can help and can be contacted on jackieallen86@me.com