Purpose

The site comprises part of the former Middlefield Lane
Secondary School site which, along with the Castle Hill
School site on The Avenue, Gainsborough, were closed
in 2009 following the development of the new Trent
Valley Academy (now the Gainsborough Academy) at
Sweyn Lane off Corringham Road.

a) LCC sold the area shown coloured green to
Gleeson Homes in 2021 which is now developed
for housing.
b) The area outlined in red is identified for disposal
for development purposes; comprising 2.4ha
(5.93a).
This is the former playing field land that has been
disused following closure of the school and it now
has issues of horses “trespassing / grazing”,
overgrowth and fly tipping.
It is considered that the likely best use of the land
is residential subject to planning (see pre-app
paragraph below).
Access from Middlefield Lane has been reserved
through the Gleesons site (the plan shows a spur
road). An access carve out will be required to
provide a route to the Southern boundary for
maintenance of areas to the rear of the Benjamin
Adlard and Warren Wood School sites.
c) The area 1.19ha (2.94a) outlined blue is currently
occupied on a temporary basis by the Together
Initiative who have started to develop a
community amenity space in partnership with
West Lindsey District Council. This community
group is seeking to bring forward longer term
proposals and as such this area is NOT included as
part of the development site on the basis of
supporting community value.
It can be noted that this community area forms
part of a clear ‘green corridor‘ and as such
planning consent is considered less likely for this
area. Nonetheless, appropriate development
restriction and overage provisions, valuation, legal
and governance approvals will be required as part
of any potential community asset transfer.

Decision

Approve outline development investigations and the disposal of the open space sites at Middlefield Lane, Gainsborough (Gainsborough site of former
Middlefield School):
- Approve the procurement of planning, design
and technical inputs required to inform a pre-planning submission at a cost estimate of no more than £15,000. This will lead to the
disposal of the site as follows:

- 2.4h (5.93 a) potential residential
development opportunity with capital receipt

- 1.19ha (2.94a) community asset transfer with
associated revenue cost savings

Alternative options considered

1. Do nothing - this option is not recommended.
There is no operational requirement for the site and it will continue to deteriorate and suffer issues and expenditure.

2. Hold the site and consider it in connection with LCCs Bio Diversity Net Gain Strategy (BNG) - this option has been considered but it is a small site
and is considered to have limited potential for this purpose. The CAT area on the other hand could benefit from longer term BNG opportunity and
this will be highlighted as part of the dialogue.

3. Hold the site for future development in partnership with neighbouring owners - this option has been considered and adjoining owners
will be approached prior to full open marketing to explore whether there is any special purchaser premium. However, the site does not necessarily
lend itself well to a site assembly due the remaining school, allotment and community spaces. Site assembly would add third parties and introduce significant uncertainties and delay so it is not recommended as the primary strategy