Changes submitted for former Spalding Sorting Office plans

Changes have been made to the plans for Spalding’s former delivery office building – as a scheme to transform the derelict landmark awaits a decision.

Plans were lodged for flats and a shop in the empty building in The Crescent in October – prompting hopes that one of the town’s long standing eyesores might finally be sorted.

The scheme drew praise from the district council’s conservation officer – but Spalding and District Civic Society felt it was wrong to keep the ‘post war utility’ structure as the basis for the new building – which it feels has a ‘negative impact’ on the town’s Conservation Area.

In recent weeks two sets of amendments have been submitted to try to fine tune the plans before the council makes a decision.

The most recent change saw one flat removed from the plans because it was deemed too small. Instead of ten flats, the scheme now proposes one three-bed, four two-bed and five one-bed flats on the upper floors, with a shop still suggested for the ground floor.

Drawings appear to show the removal of parking spaces that were proposed to run parallel to the pavement on Spring Gardens and were flagged as a road safety risk by Lincolnshire County Council.

A first amendment also established that the main residential entrance will be from Spring Gardens, with a ramp up to this.

There were also changes to the layout and a pledge to make the external yard for retail use only.

Council conservation officer Greg Watkinson has re-iterated his support for the proposals

He wrote: “The proposal intends to make good use of an existing and dilapidated, untidy property which is prominent and holds great sway over the overall character of this portion of the conservation area.

“The sorting office is an exemplar of its type – mid-C20th royal mail, postal service architecture. Therefore, it is somewhat appreciated that instead of a thoroughly modern development, making no reference to the history of the site, it is instead proposed to preserve and restore the extant structure, whilst making some minor alterations to make the site more suited to 21st century residential use.”

The district council had asked for the developer to make three of the properties affordable flats – either for rent or purchase.

The building has been empty since the 1990s and has fallen into a state of disrepair while awaiting a fresh future.