The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Almost 40 affordable homes could be built alongside a new superstore on the site of a former Spalding hospital.
An application has been submitted for the former Welland Hospital.
The central area is already the subject of proposals for a new Lidl superstore.
Two areas of residential development are being suggested by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Plans submitted to South Holland District Council show an indicative layout and both plots are currently grassed with areas of hardstanding.
“The indicative layout of the residential development reflects the plot shapes of the east and west sites. The west is rectangular and most of the proposed units would front Roman Bank. This layout is consistent with residential properties along this road.
“The east site is an irregular shape and the proposed layout shows an internal cul-de-sac with dwellings fronting the road,” says a supporting document submitted with the application.
“This would tidy this whole area up, can’t wait for it to start,” said Coun David Ashby.
“This application forms part of the wider redevelopment of the former Welland Hospital and former Bettinson Garage sites that, as a whole, comprise approximately two hectares of brownfield land.
“The residential and retail proposals are connected, with the retail development helping to bring forward the redevelopment of the wider site for affordable housing,” says a document submitted by the Trust, which owns the entire site.
Lincolnshire police has commented on the application: “Overall this is a good design, making effective use of a cul-de-sac development which, evidence strongly indicates as being the most effective design to create an environment that will help reduce the opportunity for crime.”
The document continues that, while the plan is currently at the outline stage, when details are being drawn-up, a number of factors should be considered including creating straight, well-lit pathways which are overlooked by surrounding properties.
There should also be no “hard landscaping that could inadvertently create seating or loitering spots. These features can encourage anti-social behaviour and raise the fear of crime,” says the report.
The Voice revealed that Lidl was looking to build on the site earlier this month.
The German company already has a store in the town, which it will retain, and the new store could create up to 40 new jobs for the area.
