Issue - meetings

To adopt the Holbeach and Spalding Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (report of the Service Director for Planning enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Director – Planning which sought adoption of the Holbeach and Spalding Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans.

The Portfolio Holder for Conservation and Heritage presented the report and sought Cabinet approval for the adoption of the Spalding Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans.

The appraisals recommended a number of boundary changes to ensure that the conservation areas continued to retain their special architectural and historic interest.

Members were advised that the documents had been subject to a full public consultation. All comments received during the consultation process had been considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final versions of the documents.

The Portfolio Holder further advised that, if adopted, the Council would be fulfilling its duties under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, as amended. Following adoption, the decision would be published in the local press and the London Gazette, and the relevant updates would be made to the Land Charges Register.

Members welcomed the inclusion of the Spalding Shop Front Design Guide within the documents, noting that significant efforts had been made to secure its inclusion and were pleased that a way had been found to incorporate it.

Members welcomed the appraisals but stressed the importance of applying them pragmatically when considering proposals to improve properties, rather than adopting an overly rigid approach.

It was also asked whether the documents provided any protection for notable tree-lined avenues within Spalding, particularly Pinchbeck Road, which was highlighted as an important feature of the town’s character.

Concern was expressed about the potential loss of such trees following previous discussions regarding highway safety.

In response, it was noted that trees within conservation areas benefited from a degree of protection and that any proposed works would require an application to be submitted to the Council for consideration.

The Member acknowledged this but reiterated concerns that safety considerations could sometimes override those protections and emphasised the importance of avoiding the loss of such features by default.

It was agreed that this was a valid point and one which would need to be borne in mind.

Members echoed the need for a balanced approach, supporting both the preservation of the district’s heritage and a proportionate approach to the implementation of the guidance.

Members commented on the significant amount of work that had gone into producing the appraisals and management plans and welcomed their completion. It was noted that conservation area appraisals had been sought for many years and that their delivery represented a considerable achievement. Whilst recognising that the challenge would now be in their implementation and enforcement, Members agreed that the documents provided a strong policy framework to help enhance and protect the character of conservation areas and high streets.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15

To consult with PDP and provide feedback on the progress of public consultation (report of the Director – Economic Development enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Director – Economic Development which asked the Panel to provide feedback on the progress of the public consultation.

The Heritage Manager and the Director – Economic Development attended for this item.

The Heritage Manager presented the report and provided the Panel with a detailed update on the progress of the public consultation relating to a suite of heritage documents as set out in the report including:

• Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (including the Spalding Shopfront Design Guide)
• Spalding Heritage Strategy
• Holbeach Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
• S&ELCP Traditional Building Design Guide

It was noted that:

The documents sat across two portfolio areas — Heritage & Conservation and Planning.

• The consultation had commenced in November 2025 and had included social media campaigns, press and site notices, letters to properties proposed for inclusion or removal, and public events held in both Spalding and Holbeach. Hard copies had been made available on request, which included Members and the Civic Society. Documents were also accessible on the Council’s consultation webpage and via the planning portal:
• Although the formal six?week consultation period had elapsed, the documents remained online to allow further comment. The Heritage Manager noted a lack of responses from Spalding town centre businesses, prompting further engagement coordinated with the Spalding BID. Additional engagement was planned with the Spalding Town Board on 9 February 2026. All comments were requested by 13 February 2026 to allow a consolidated submission to consultants; and
• The Heritage Strategy and the Traditional Building Design Guide served as guidance only documents and had no formal adoption.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

·         Members queried the lack of responses from Spalding town centre businesses during the consultation.

o   The Heritage Manager explained that while initial engagement was low, an additional event had been held with Spalding BID and further outreach undertaken. It was suggested that businesses may have felt unaffected due to no proposed changes to conservation area boundaries, or because many were not owner?occupiers. The consultation remained open until 13 February 2026 and further responses might still be received.

• Members asked had the follow?up engagement yielded improved responses from businesses, and what proportion as a percentage had responded overall.
  • The Heritage Manager reported that a handful of attendees had attended the BID event along with two email comments, but the total number of businesses as a percentage figure was not available to report at the meeting.

• Members commended the clarity of the documents and asked about formal sign?off.
  • The Heritage Manager confirmed the documents were in a draft format and that formal sign?off arrangements would be addressed once amendments had been made to where possible incorporate consultation responses at the final stage.

·         Members referred to the Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and noted that public comments suggested that resources should focus on improvements to the existing conservation area rather than an extension of it. Could specific detail of the feedback be provided.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72