Purpose

Adopt the Holbeach and Spalding Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans

Decision

1. That Cabinet approves the adoption of the Holbeach Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Attached at Appendix 1), including the revised Holbeach Conservation Area boundary (Attached at Appendix 2)
2. That Cabinet approves the adoption of Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Attached at Appendix 4), including the revised Spalding Conservation Area boundary (Attached at Appendix 5).
3. That Cabinet approves the Spalding Shop Front Design Guide (Attached in Appendix 6) to be published as an appendix to the Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

Reasons for the decision

·         These documents demonstrate the Council’s commitment to protect and enhance the built environment of the District.

·         They can be used as evidence in future Local Plan Plans and aim to support enhancement of our historic areas in line with our statutory duties through The Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and in line with the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance.

·         Once adopted the Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans can be used to support and inform future planning decisions in the area, as a material planning consideration.

·         Appending the Spalding Shopfront Design Guide to the Conservation Area Appraisal once adopted will make it a material planning consideration.

·         All of the documents can be used to guide building owners, developers, investors, planning applicants, agents and consultants in making informed decisions while considering alterations, additions or demolition of heritage assets.

·         These documents show why heritage should form a huge part of our future vision of our places and recognises that there are opportunities to compliment and capitalise on existing momentum and processes to deliver investment by championing heritage in our Town Centre.

·         Consultation took place from November 2025 through to February 2026. It included in person events, an online questionnaire, writing to addresses affected by conservation area boundary changes, press and site notices. Overwhelmingly responses supported the need to preserve our shared heritage, and consultation has been a great opportunity to increase awareness and public participation in heritage.

·         Formal approvals are necessary for the resulting documents to carry weight in the planning process.

Alternative options considered

·         Not to adopt and keep the conservation area boundary as it is now;

·         To recommend a different boundary, not taking public consultation responses on board and going against specialist advice.