Plans passed for Red Cow site

A long-standing eyesore in Donington is finally set for a renovation after planning permission to turn the former Red Cow hotel into homes was granted.

The Grade Two listed building on High Street hasn’t been used for over 15 years and villagers have been calling for it to be spruced up and made safe.

On Tuesday night, South Holland District Council’s planning committee voted in favour of creating 18 dwellings within the property.

The rear view of the Red Cow. Picture by Eddie Finch.

Coun Jane King said the application’s success is “down to people getting together and talking”.

Coun Alcock agreed: “It’s great to see everyone co-operating and finding a solution to a problem that’s been there for a long time.”

Part of the property including the tap bar will be demolished but the street frontage of the roughly 200-year-old building will be renovated.

Owners Market Homes Limited had previously had a planning application for 31 dwellings in December 2016.

Donington residents had expressed concerns work had not started, but district council planning officer Mark Simmonds said a condition f the plans dictates that the former pub must be developed first.

In his report to the planning committee Mr Simmonds states that although the plan doesn’t include affordable housing, “the need for urgent repairs to be carried out to the building and the reuse of the site for sustainable purposes justifies recommending this proposal for approval.”