At the Planning Committee meeting on 7 May 2025, South Holland District Council councillors considered a range of planning applications, including conservation works to the Spalding War Memorial, and the retrospective erection of a spectator stand and dugouts at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field. Councillors approved all applications, with some conditions. They also noted a report on recent planning appeal decisions.

Spalding War Memorial Restoration

Councillors approved a Listed Building Consent application for conservation works to the Temple of Remembrance, part of the Spalding War Memorial located in the Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens. The planned works include cleaning and repairs to all elements of the temple.

During the meeting, officers noted that the application was still within its consultation period, and any decision made by the committee was subject to the successful completion of that period.

Councillors raised the following points:

• The timing of the application was appropriate, given the upcoming 80th anniversary of VE Day.
• Care should be taken when installing the breathable membrane beneath the existing tiles to prevent damage.

The committee agreed to grant permission, amending condition 7 of the report to ensure that any replacement tiles sourced from reclaimed materials would be placed on the rear elevation of the structure.

The report notes that the architect, Edwin Lutyens, designed some 58 war memorials, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall¹. The Spalding War Memorial is unique because its Tuscan pavilion design was a precursor to the shelter buildings built in cemeteries of the Western Front by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field Spectator Stand

Councillors approved a full planning application for the retrospective erection of a 100-seat spectator stand, standing terrace, and two dugout shelters at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Kings Road, Spalding, home to Spalding United Football Club. Councillor Gary John Taylor declared an interest as a supporter of Spalding United and left the room for the duration of the item.

During the meeting, councillors made the following points:

• The erection of the stand would assist with increased attendance and was an improvement to the site.
• There was concern about whether the structure would be checked to ensure its safety for users, but officers confirmed that this was not a matter for consideration by the Planning Committee.
• There was concern that the structure had been erected on council-owned land without planning permission.
• Anglian Water had objected to the application, raising concerns about surface water, but officers confirmed that they were satisfied that a surface water arrangement could be accommodated to mitigate this objection.

The committee agreed to grant permission subject to the conditions outlined in the report, with condition 3 being amended to reflect the retrospective nature of the permission and condition 4 to be corrected as an informative note to the applicant.

Kate Wood, agent on behalf of the applicant, provided oral representations in support of the application.

Gleed Avenue Rear Extension

Councillors approved a full application for a proposed single-storey rear extension at 17 Gleed Avenue, Donington, Spalding. The application sought permission for a single-storey rear extension to form an additional bedroom and bathroom.

Tolls Lane Rear Extension

Councillors approved a full application for a single-storey rear extension at 28 Tolls Lane, Holbeach, Spalding.

Planning Appeals

The committee noted a report on recent appeal decisions. Since the previous report, seven appeals had been dismissed and three allowed. Since 1 April 2017, 255 planning appeal decisions have been received, of which 190 have been dismissed, equating to a success rate of 74.51%.