The South Holland District Council is likely to greenlight plans for a new leisure centre in Spalding, enhancing community health and wellbeing.
Spalding: Exciting news is brewing for the Castle Sports Complex! Plans are in motion to revamp the old leisure centre into a vibrant health and wellbeing hub.
With a whopping £26 million makeover on the table, the South Holland District Council’s planning committee is set to give the thumbs up soon.
They want to tear down the current swimming pool and build a two-story extension. This will include new pools, upgraded sports facilities, and even a 3G pitch and running track!
Plus, there’s a proposal for a 70-unit extra care facility where the old pool used to be, although the council won’t be the ones building it.
There are some road safety concerns, especially after a tragic incident involving a cyclist last year. A local cycling group is pushing for a 20mph speed limit on Albion Street.
On top of that, the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is asking for better crossing points and some cash to improve bus shelters nearby.
But don’t worry, the planning officer believes all these concerns have been addressed. They’re confident that the new development won’t negatively impact road safety.
However, the fire service has raised some issues about access for their vehicles, and Sports England initially objected due to the loss of playing field space. Thankfully, they’ve since backed down since the health hub is a big win for the community.
Historic England also had some worries about potential archaeological finds at the site, but recent digs didn’t uncover anything significant.
All in all, this project is expected to create around 401 new jobs and bring in over £22.5 million annually to the local economy. Exciting times ahead for Spalding!
