The Spalding Conservation Area was designated in 1970, and extended quite recently. It consists of four areas of distinct character: the riverside north and south of High Bridge, the historic commercial centre with its mediaeval street pattern, Church Street, and Pinchbeck Road. Few mediaeval buildings remain, but there is a wide range of Georgian and Victorian buildings. Further information can be found on the South Holland District Council website. 

What is a Conservation Area?

Conservation areas are areas of a town or village that have a special architectural or historic interest. They are generally the parts that give it its individual character. In Spalding, for example, there are the three linked historic spaces of the Market Place, Hall Place and the Sheepmarket; or the grand houses and trees that line the river south of High Bridge. Both are vital features of what makes Spalding Spalding, and it is felt important to preserve and enhance them. Buildings, public spaces, walls, parks, trees, hedges, and other landscape and architectural features can all contribute to the character of a conservation area. Some of the buildings may individually be quite humble, but together combine to add to its overall attractiveness. 

As the local planning authority, South Holland District Council has a duty to protect the character and appearance of its conservation areas. Thus, the Council will seek to preserve and improve traditional features and to keep important views open; encourage building in suitable materials and styles; site street furniture and utility services sympathetically; avoid obtrusive advertisements and security measures; and encourage tree management and new tree planting. In short, development should respect local character.  This does not rule out making changes, but does mean that changes should preserve or enhance the special character of the area. 

The controls over development are stricter in a conservation area than elsewhere. In addition to normal planning controls, special restrictions apply to:-

Individual buildings of national architectural or historic merit are placed on a special list by the government. There are about 140 in Spalding, mostly in the Conservation Area. Even stricter planning controls apply to listed buildings. You can check whether a building is nationaly listed on the Historic England website.

Any alterations, whether inside or out, including to outbuildings or other structures in the grounds, will need Listed Building Consent. Again, you should consult a Council planning officer as early as possible. They are there to help. Historic buildings of local importance have also been identified by the Council. If you are unsure whether your property is listed, the Council will be able to tell you. 

If you are planning to undertake any kind of work on a listed building, the Historic England website has plenty of guidance.

The protection of a conservation area's special character is of benefit to residents, businesses and visitors alike. As the District Council has a duty to preserve and enhance such areas, environmental enhancement schemes are more likely to be carried out in a conservation area than elsewhere, and there can occasionally be grants to help with conservation work. In streets and areas where the traditional character has been cared for sympathetically properties often attract higher values. 

We aim to help make Spalding as an attractive a place to live and work in and visit as
possible through its particular concern for the town's built and natural environment. Whilst fully supporting conservation area planning controls, the Society is not opposed to change in the Spalding Conservation Area.

What matters is that the best of our inherited environment is preserved and that new buildings enhance it. We do review planning applications and where we feel an application requires our comments, we can and do comment and may even object to an application, if we feel that they go against accepted conservation planning policy.

We are always open to pre-planning engagement and discussion about any planning proposals in the Conservation area. 

Locally, in South Holland, the key resource are the planning pages on the South Holland District Council website. This includes all the key contacts and advice that you will need.

In a addition, the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan website includes all the local planning policies relevent to the South Holland area.

Nationally, the Planning Portal is the most convenient way for submitting a planning application and for finding up to date guidance on national planning legislation.

With any planning proposal we recommend that you consult with a suitably qualified planning professional. The Planning Portal has resources to help you to do this.