We’d really like to hear from you about your views on the future development of Holbeach and the surrounding area.
There are a number of ways you can have your say:
- Leave a comment using the form at the bottom of this page (these comments are published publicly)
- Leave your views on our current plan
- Send us an email
We are particularly keen to get your views on developing a vision for Holbeach. Please send us an email with your answers to the following four questions:
1) What do you like about Holbeach ?
2) What do you dislike about Holbeach?
3) What concerns do you have for the future of the area?
4) What hopes do you have for the future of the area?
Part of the vision to 2031 states : ‘The town centre will be improved providing a vibrant mix of retail shops and restaurants and be the main focal point for residents and visitors.’
As usual with these reports there is nothing to say how this is to be achieved. Once again a total waste of money.
Those traders left in Holbeach know full well what the main problem is, it’s lack of footfall in the town. And the reason for this ? Lack of available town centre parking. Until this is successfully addressed nothing will change. People give up trying to find somewhere to park and go elsewhere. I have done it myself and I know all the little back streets very well.
The most simply solution to this would be to allow parking, of a maybe an hour max, to one side of the High Street where it is wide enough. The only area not suitable would be the short distance around Boots where the crossing is. Elsewhere is plenty wide enough for this to happen. People coming into town want to be able to park up for a short time like Long Sutton, not be forced into the car park in Boston Road. The only car park within the town (St John’s Street) is full of the traders cars most of the time.
Sadly, I can’t see this happening and the town will be left to turn into a street of charity shops along with boarded up empty properties.
Ian, The reason why we don’t say how the vision will be achieved is because we want your ideas. The point of the website is not to impose our ideas on you but to create some discussion and generate new ideas for the next twenty years. We will be discussing at our next meeting how we might achieve the vision, so your thoughts would be appreciated as they could be fed into the process. We will certianly take on board your ideas for parking which we will discuss with Highways along with any other ideas that materialise.
Thanks for the comments – the steering group will be reviewing all of them at our next meeting, so keep an eye out for their response over the next few weeks.
Cllr Nick Worth
i like the fact that holbeach is a smll enough to care community and it should be big enough to matter however it isnt. it is the forgotten town of south holland it pays the second highest community charge and recieves nothing back. the politicians who run the parish and the district council all have their own agendas and they preside over inept officers within the district council. planning being a classic example. unless people such as yourselves are prepared to look at the bigger picture then unfortunately it will continue to die. within all your meeting minutes their is not one reference to the provision of sporting fascilities that can help the youngsters and indeed those a bit older have decent areas to participate in sport.
if you want a grand plan that answers all that you have discussed talk about some kind of deal that would see the park become this central hub. this could be achieved by helping the football club to relocate lock stock and barrell to penny hill. you could build a new ayscoughee style pavillion in the middle of the park with toilets that are not out of date and frequented by sexual exhibtionists. you could realign the fence along park rd and provide a parking bay to alleviate the school traffic in fact take it all along the school boundary. provide a new fence all the way round plant thorn type bushes that would deter those youths that like to go to the park after hours. the school could use the pennyhill fascilities. the old football clubhouse could be demolished and 3 houses could be built in its place to fund some of the work. all of these suggestions are more realistic than trying to get 10 seperate private land/property owners to commit to a scheme that needs them all to agree.
there are alot of us out there who care about the town but we are apathetic when it is o hard to get funding for anything when you are constantly knocked back by departments within the council (planning). myself and ten others were part of a comittee that raised more than 50k in under two years which we distributed to local causes such as scout goups schools brownies etc etc. but we were always made to fight hard against the parish council or the community centre committees etc etc. give us a proper scheme that has a proper chance of succeeding and we will get behind it and make it work. ps if you go for the chequers car park scheme the folly that is trying to save that wreck of a house needs to go as well at least you would have a proper link into that rear yard area !!! sometimes you have to give a little up to achieve a lot.
des ford (D Brown Building contractors)
Attention Sue Cooper,
Hi Sue,
some years ago our offices displayed on Lincs County councils befhalf the plans etc when the bus stop was moved across the road. part of that plan was to allow 30 minute parking for up to 4 spaces on our side of the road and to put a small loop in the road outside our office to move vehicles slightly away from our building.
The bus stop went in but nothing happended on the other items.
I know its an old chestnut but for us trading in the high street parking is our biggest issue. Many clients cannot get parked and often only need a few minutes – this is the widest part of the high street and could easily accomodate this.
I would appreciate your comments please
Regards,
Nick Ingram
Sue is aware of your comments and will be sending a reply shortly.
Cllr Nick Worth
At the time of the installation of the new bus stop discussions did take place with regard to the provision of parking on the south side of Fleet Street. Concerns were raised by the engineers about the restricted visibility on exiting Chapel Street when vehicles are parked to the right.
The conclusion reached was that the junction would need to be re-designed and the Stop line moved forward. Authorisation from the Department for Transport would be required for a new Stop line position or the junction would have to be changed to a Give Way.
It was also suggested that a possible one-way system should be explored using St.John’s Street and Chapel Street.
The cost for these changes were prohibitive at the time, hence no changes were made.
Regards
Sue
At first glance the plans for the Western side of Holbeach look quite promising.
At this time (April 2012) the only comment I would make is that although Northons Lane is due to be closed off following the development of the roundabout, I would like to see (and I’m sure so would many of my neighbours) Northons Lane closed as soon as the residential sites have been purchased by the developers – if the purchase is made before the erection of the roundabout – as it is essential that there is no through traffic to any new building site.
Northons Lane at the Western end is single track.
Howard, good to see you yesterday! As far as I am concerned I wouldn’t want to see any development on that site until a roundabout is built – that has got to come first, otherwise we will just make matters worse.I would also agree that Northons Lane does not want any construction traffic on it, should the site be developed, so totally agree with your comments.
Cllr Nick Worth
Its funny how you talk of green space when all your doing is taking land and putting more houses on it!
This is only about making more money for councils and not about the village. There is already a problem with not enough doctors surgerys and dentists in holbeach . Schools are full and traffic is bad enough already, but still you want to put more houses in this area and cause more damage to the inviroment. The village needs work yes to make it better and more attractive to people and new buisness but not to take up the surrounding counrtyside with houses etc.
And all we will get is more cheap houses that dont look good and as many cramed into a small place so the developer will make loads of money and the councils to in the end .
No one will take any notice of what any one who lives near these new planned sites thinks i have seen this many times now and this will be just pushed through like normal .
Neil. The first point is that I am taking notice and this is the opportunity for people to express their views – so thank you for yours! Doctors and Dentists are of course high on our agenda, but they will tell you that there is sufficient to cope with demand. However as this is a twenty year plan and we will be discussing future needs with the various clinical groups to ensure there is adequate provision with an ever increasing population. The current husing policy asks for one third of houses to be ‘affordable’, which is very different from cheap. Do you think this should be different,it would be interesting to hear your views? Again your views will be passed onto the steering group for further comment.
Cllr Nick Worth
I am in favour of the development of Holbeach, this is still a pleasent town to live in, however I do not understand why the proposed plans are on a large green feild site rather than developing currently unused brown sites. I would also like to ask, why we need so many new homes in this area when there are developments such as the one on Rathkenny Close still being developed with what seems to be very little interest? It would seem to me more logical to develope the demand for housing by first creating more jobs in the area. As for building more shops at the rear of the Chequers when there are so many empty shops on the high steet, seems questionable.
Gareth, thanks for this. Dealing with the green field site issue first. We only have a few brown field sites in the town, one being Lefley’s Yard. This already has planning permission for a mix of residential and light industrial. We will always use brown field before green, but we are looking at a 20 year plan and one would hope that the economy will pick up along with the housing market well before then, so will need more housing to meet demand and importantly to provide vital infrastructure such as the much needed roundabout which can only be afforded through section 106 agreements, which are part of any planning permissions. Creating more jobs is important and the steering group are keen to encourage both traditional farming and food based jobs, but also high tec jobs into the town, which is why we are working clsely with the University of Lincoln to provide students the opportunity to go into Higher Education increasing their job prospects and working with the new academy who are providing invaluable courses in vocational training, including bricklaying, plumbing, I.T. etc. Although there are some vacant shops in the town, Holbeach is doing well when compared to many other market towns of a similar size around the country. It is worth noting that some of the successful shops in town are at the quality end of the market, which is why Long Sutton does so well. We need to provide what customers want, which is why the new bakery, shoe shop and tea rooms have come about as this was highlighted as ‘needed’by customers in the Holbeach Parish Plan. The opportunity potentially in the Chequers Yard area may be for something a little bit more innovative than just traditional shops, but it would create a centre and focus for the town, which it currently doesn’t have. Your comments will be discussed by the steering group at its’ next meeting and they may well comment further!
Cllr Nick Worth
Thank you for the reply.
1. I like the intimacy of the small town and the businesses within it which I try to use as often as possible. We are lucky to still have an eclectic mix despite the disproportionate numbers of take-aways and hairdressers! I love QD and Boyes and also Hawkins where I’m often buying bits of DIY stuff.
2. I use one of the dreaded mobility scooters and the pavements in some areas of the town are so narrow they can be downright dangerous, even to Mums with prams and pushchairs I would imagine.
3. My biggest concern is growth in the number of residents of the town without the infrastructure being increased commensurately. This pertains particularly to the medical services and the schools.
4. I would certainly like to see a thoroughfare from the High Street to Park Road developed, perhaps through The Chequers back yard. This would reroute pedestrian traffic away from the cramped narrow pavements around the 5 road junction at the west end of the town. A street market held once a month along the High Street would also prove popular, with the Street obviously closed to traffic for a few hours, like we have at Xmas.
Thanks for the positive comments. We will look into the issue about narrow pavements, but as you say the Chequers Yard area may be the way to resolve that. We may come back to you for advice about disability issues. Infrastructure particularly medical facilities is a big issue for us, although the current two practices will tell you they can manage – but we are looking ahead, so will be discussing this with the new cinical groups.The University Academy Holbeach, formerly The George Farmer is having a lot of government money spent on it and new buildings including a school / community use sports hall will be completed next year I beleive, which should cope with increasing numbers. The steering group may well have other comments to add after their meeting a week on Friday.
Cllr Nick Worth
Just found this site! Holbeach as a gateway to Wash tourism? More likely, Holbeach as a gateway to the North Sea tidal surge as it sweeps inland! My property at 2metres a.s.l. is likely to be underwater in another twenty years’ time – and probably uninsurable by the end of this year. Only a couple of years back, Piccaver’s (‘Jepco’) were being advised not to invest large sums in high technology farming because of flood risk in the next few years. Planning development for twenty years hence, given this scenario, is akin to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.
David,
The Environment Agency’s Flood Risk maps would show us all under water – certainly down here in Holbeach St Marks, but I am not overly worried. We have to bear in mind that their maps are based on there being no flood defences, which is rediculous. We are well protected by a series of banks, pumping stations and an excellent drainage system. While we could get that one in 200 year tidal surge, it is just a worst case scenario based on no defences or a major breach in the defences. This is the best farming land in the country which supplies much of the food for the people in this country. We are not about to let it flood if we can help it. I know that doesn’t help your insurance, but we will keep up the lobbying on that issue.
Cllr Nick Worth
Thank you for your comments, Nick. The flood risk maps from the EA take a very broad brush approach, but they do show Holbeach as being at high risk of flooding, and do not show the area as benefiting from flood defences. How sure can we be in a time of recession that expensive flood defences, both from sea and rivers, will be maintained for an area of relatively low density population? It could ultimately boil down to a choice between saving urban areas, like Northampton, and areas like this one – someone somewhere will press the buttons to open/close the appropriate sluices, and this will probably be an economic decision. South Holland will not have a lot of clout I think! I believe that priority has already been given to schemes protecting the town of Boston and to allow housing insurance to be obtainable there. When the flood insurance agreements between the government and insurers expire at the end of 2012 we will have seen flood maps again updated several times – but with the prospect of more extreme climatic events, the faster run-off from urban development and the certainty of rising sea-levels the prospects don’t look good for long term investment in or around Holbeach. The ’1 in 200′ year flood risk assessment doesn’t mean it will happen every 200 years. The last major flooding due to tidal surge was 1953, and the climate and sea-level changes since then have been remarkable. My detailed reading of the research suggests an increasing frequency risk for this area. It would be interesting to know how much lobbying on the flood defences issue is being done by John Hayes. If South Holland is considered as such an important strategic food producer for the UK, why have we not seen significantly higher levels of investment in infrastructure?
Sorry to seem negative, but against this scenario, shops in the increasingly derelict high street and parking arrangements seem like spitting in the wind!
David,
I will get the plan team to comment on this, but Holbeach according to the Flood Risk Maps I have seen is not high Risk. High Risk only runs up as far as the A17. Holbeach itself would appear to be a low hazard with a danger to some if all the sea defences are breached at the same time, which is highly unlikely. Bearing in mind the significance of the food production and grade 1 silt land to the national economy, I can assure you flood defences in our area will continue to be maintanined, even in the current economic situation we find ourselves in.
Nick
I have emailed separately, but when the only cycle lane in Holbeach (Fleet Road) has cars parked nose to tail most of the day, can somebody tell me what was the purpose? I notice in the projected plan, cycle ways, which means, car parking areas!
I know, how many times have we been told it is not enforceable, it can be made so. There is a lack of will on behalf of the council and police. Before future planning, with pie in the sky distant projects which will not come to fruition, but does bring certain Councillors to public notice, is it just possible that they will attend to unfinished matters?
Civilian Parking Enforcement is coming to Lincolnshire including Holbeach in the autumn. This will mean that there will be dedicated officers (not Police) whose sole job will be to issue tickets for parking infringements. The legal paperwork to enable this to happen is currently lodged with the government. The scheme will be run by Lincolnshire County Council and has the buy in from all the District Councils in Lincolnshire.
But does this include enforcement of the Fleet Road cycle path?
Yep this will really help out Holbeach. What the town needs is MORE on street parking, not Civilian Parking Enforcement offices (jobsworths) dishing out tickets left right and centre. Are the powers in charge really trying to help the town or kill it off completely ?
Two weeks gone by, no reply re Fleet cycle path, the reply given was just a broad brush stroke which doesn’t answer the question. This whole forum is just another ticket box exercise to say we have ‘consulted’. Why cannot you just answer the specific question?
Fleet cycle path will be enforced once Civilian Parking Enforcement is introduced.I can’t be much clearer than that!
Cllr Nick Worth
So if this is to go ahead as you suggest Mr Worth, what do the group intend to do to address the parking issues in the town. As I say, do nothing except ticket people and they WILL go elsewhere.
I have stumbled across this website whilst looking for events in Holbeach.
I have lived here now for 12 years and love the Town and surrudning areas very much. however, I too note that we struggle now for doctors and dentists with current residents and so would like to see the plans for the expansion of these.
I also agree that we have nothing that currently makes us stand out and would encourage people and shops into the Town. Woolies used to be pivotal – QD is doing a fair job but the rest are failing to keep anyone interested. the market and bakery are becoming more and more used as people try to steer clear of the big supermarket chains and support local businesses.
My biggest grumble with Holbeach is the total lack of community spirit and lack of communication. Other parishes I know did jubilee festivitees and gave youngsters mugs and coins (which was the norm for the diamond jubilee) – I contacted the parish council who informed me that notices were on the board – a few flyers would have been lovely – although would have just stated that they were doing nothing. The Olympic Torch wasnt overly advertised to anyone on outskirts of town – I found out by viewing the official website. I would have helped fund raise or did my part to ensure Holbeach had a good time but was never informed. My point is that with both of these large events a lot of locals had no clue of what was being held or going on – so if we have no idea I am sure no outsiders will either !
We do have a nicely kept park for our children – but pool facilities at the acadamy that can be used by locals or open air one that would attract visitors from other towns during summer would also be something I would like to see.
We had a lovely town but I feel it going downhill each year ! A bit of a revival would be great.
Ann,
First apologies – we haven’t updated this site for some time, which is down to me. We would all agree that there is a perceived need for more doctors and dentists and indeed we will be including that in the plan. However the doctors in town do not agree and think that current provision covers the need. As the new clinical commissioning groups are managed by doctors they are likely to have the final say.
I would also agree that we ned more ‘stand out’ shops in the town to attract footfall from Tesco. Quality is what is needed and shops that people want to go into, which is why the newer shops such as the bakers and coffee shops are proving popular. The idea of the Chequers Yard project is to do just that – but it won’t happen overnight particularly with the economy as it is at the moment!
Regards lack of community spirit, it is not my place to comment on the Parish Council and issues around the Jubiliee. My only comment on the Olympic torch relay is that an estimated 10,000 people turned out, so communication can’t be that bad! The main methods for communication are the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian anda magazine specifically printed to help with communication “Simply Holbeach” and in the case of the Torch Relay Radio Lincolnshire and Tulip Radio. Websites, Twitter and Facebook can all be used as well. If you have any other ideas please let us know.
A swimming pool has been mentioned many times over the years but this is simply not affordable – Although we may just be able to fund the capital costs it is the ongoing running costs that are the real burden and would involve a substantial increase in council tax, which I don’t think most people would be very keen to do.
Finally, you are right, Holbeach is a lovely town and we need to be talking it up – positively – and this plan will we hope make it a nicer town in the future.
Nick Worth
I’m inclined to agree with Ann. I’ve lived in the dark in Holbeach for 15 years and have decided it’s time to leave the slowly sinking ship. When we came here, it seemed a pleasant little town with potential. We were mistaken. ‘Simply Holbeach’ magazine is our only ‘town-centred’ publication, yet it largely features Spalding, King’s Lynn and anywhere else that isn’t Holbeach! I think we may have a Parish Council – though they don’t bother to communicate with me or most other residents. The last I heard, they’d all resigned! I do know they take the highest council tax precept in South Holland, so they must be spending that somewhere. When the jubilee beacon was lit, the Spalding Guardian didn’t mention the day or time. Every takeaway in the district (some with exceptionally low food standards agency hygiene ratings) manages to leaflet my house – why not the Parish Council? One of our doctors’ surgeries is in the lowest 5 percent nationally for appointment waiting times, and there’s talk of closing the local ambulance station with Holbeach being serviced from Sleaford! I could go on, but what’s the point? So many cliques, so little time, so little realistic vision or imagination…… . We’re now looking at continuing the rest of our retirement elswhere.
It is a bit sad replying to my own comment! However, I thought I’d check back to see if I’d missed something. The notes on meetings on this site dried up after January’s meeting, and did the planned February meeting ever take place? As ever we live in the dark – this is, of course, the town where the Parish Council fails to notify vacancies or even publicise elections (it was claimed it is too expensive!). How can you exercise democratic rights if you’re not informed? Rocking the boat is frowned upon by the cliques involved, so they use the prevailing apathy and disinterest to achieve their objectives. ‘Mushroom management’ in all its glory – what the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over! I’ve lived all over the UK, and know current practice in many communities – how Holbeach gets away with its archaic approach in the 21st. century defeats my understanding!
If your waiting for any answers or replies on here you’ll be waiting a very long time. The ‘powers’ will do what they have always done, ignore the public and do what suits them best.
David,
I will hold my hand up – I have not updated the site for some time, my fault entirely, as the plan had a break over the Summer holiday period and has not held a meeting recently while the plan is being compiled into a draft version ready for full consultation with the general public. Once it has been approved by the steering group at our next meeting in the next few weeks we will be able to proceed to that next stage.
I will ensure the notes from the meetings are added later today. There is nothing to hide or be kept in the dark about as all this has to go to public consultation for theiir comments, so that these can be taken on board.
Nick Worth
David,
Sorry to hear you are wanting to move – I for one will miss your comments and valued input. As I have said to Ann, as the County Councillor it is not appropriate for me to comment on the Parish Council. I would rather we concentrate on the details of the plan.
Regarding Simply Holbeach – at least we have it! It is up to people and organisations in the town to contact the magazine and put forward articles or advertisements relating to Holbeach, otherwise they will fill the magazine with items from outside Holbeach. I see they are now doing regular articles from Holbeach Schools for instance. I know the Parish Council have been talking about a regular article….
Your point about waiting times can be taken up with the newly emerging Clinical Commisioning Groups. Holbeach is in the unique position of being involved in both groups that cover the south of the county. Littlebury is in the South Lincolnshire group and Park Road Medical Centre in the East Coast Group – Now that should tell you something, but it may be an opportunity as well!
Nick Worth
There are 3 points that I would like to offer:
1. Pedestrian precinct the High St from the traffic lights to Albert St with a one way system from Barrington Gate along the High St down Albert St so that the Post Office vans can continue to pick up from outside the Post Office.
2. Find some regeneration monies for the Chequers Hotel and vet new owners. Refurbishment of this central building in the town with a return to it`s former glory as a thriving hotel would return some soul to the town.
3. Do everything in your power to improve restaurant quality in the town. We do not have a decent restaurant in Holbeach where surroundings and service are of a high enough standard. Another take away is not appropriate and pub food is not what I am suggesting.
Linda
I am working on a response to these and your other question on Page 3
I am a potential new comer as I fell in love with a house on fleet street. But the schools in the village have quite poor Ofsted ratings, which is putting me off moving there. Is there any plan to shake up the local schools?
Wonder how long it takes for this one to be noticed…
im gutted i am the only one who hasnt had a reply. think big give shop owners a 24 month period of free rates if they tidy their units up. get the parking marked out and altered. dont bother with a parking warden we already have the overzealous grey haired community policeman. relocate the doctors to the community centre, relocate the community centre to penny hill. take a leaf out of the headmaster of the george farmer and get the community involved. no shop keepers will try and trade in the town if tesco is favoured by parking next to it. lets have a pull up and have half an hour parking system.
Des,
I’ve be saying the town needs 1/2 hour -1 hour ‘pull up’ parking on the High St since this whole fiasco was started. Nobody is listening. Think they are more bothered with chasing pipe dreams like the Chequers yard (which is privately owned so will not happen) and the roundabout on the link road which there is no money for. At present they all seem more than happy to hand out tickets rather than be forward thinking regarding sorting out the parking. Whilst this continues Holbeach will continue to die a slow and painful death.
Ian
You have been saying that @pull up’ parking on the High Street is required, we agree and as parking enforcement has not been carried out for a long time the parking bays have been clogged all day. Now we have Parking Enforcement Officers who when in Holbeach do issue tickets for parking infringements to get these bays used through out the day by anybody that wants to park to call in a shop or shops for 30 mins. or an hour.
The roundabout at Peppermint Junction may be a pipe dream, but if it is kept to the for front of people minds it may will happen, a lot of traffic both large and small comes through Holbeach Town Centre because of the problems at this junction. Get the roundabout build and Holbeach traffic should be reduced.
The Chequers yard, if the right owners were to take over Chequers there could be room for movement in developing a walk through from Park Road to the High Street. Therefore making it easier for people to walk from Boston Road car park to the High Street.
Dear Des
I’m sorry that you have not received any reply.
I am afraid that I can not answer your question about the business rates, but I will look into it and come back to you.
With reference to parking within Holbeach, there is approx. 600 parking spaces with in Holbeach. This is both on street and off street parking and the parking enforcement has after a long period of time been taken over by the Parking Enforcement Officers employed by Lincolnshire County Council. Not the Police. The only parking the Police can deal with is parking on the zig zags at pedestrian crossings, as this is a criminal offence and has a fine £60 and 3 points on the licence. By enforcing the parking in the High Street this will allow people to park for a maximum of 1 hour with no problems.
A large number of people park in both the Tesco and Budgen’s car parks and walk into the High Street, if the walk through from Park Road to the High Street was made available it would make it easier for people to get to High Street.
Which doctor’s surgery are you talking about, as there are the 2 in Holbeach Park Road and Littlebury?
Penny Hill at present has an planning application for a mixture of 6 football pitches, club house and housing.
Member of the Holbeach Plan Team
Dear Des
With reference to the Business rates and the possible reductions that you mentioned if building were improved.
This is outside the scope of Holbeach Plan team.
The District Council already give rate relief to charities and not for profit organisations (between 80 & 100%) but the government take the rest for their coffers and the District Council get no say in that. The only possible way is for the newly invigorated business forum have a role to play here.
What a load of hot air. Nothing published since an agenda back in Sept 2012. Answers are there none. Some 15 months after this was conceived, what have has been achieved?
What I said nigh on a year ago, some publicity for Mr Worth, a few meetings, followed by a clampdown on High St Parking. Nothing has been done about the Cycle lanes, which Mr Worth said would be enforced by last October?
It does appear that our local police ‘service’ do have the time to enforce no parking in the High St which penalises local shops. It is not a ‘Service’ which supports the Community.
You have now achieved the objective, you have consulted with your public, achieved nothing, now fold it.
Dear Stephen
The reason nothing has been published is the web site itself has been updated to show the final draft of the plan that has now been presented to Holbeach parish council for them to act upon through comments received though the general public. Nothing will be achieved instantly as this is a plan to cover the 20 year period from 2013 to 2033.
With reference to the parking in Holbeach, this is carried out by Parking Enforcement Officers employed by Lincolnshire County Council not the Police. Parking in the High Street is limited to 1 hour for the soul purpose of parking to use the shops in Holbeach, not for all day parking by people that travel elsewhere. A count of parking spaces within Holbeach has been carried out and there is approx. 600 parking spaces in car parks and on street parking.
Member of the Holbeach Plan Team
Most of those 600 spaces are in Boston Rd carpark, not on the High St where they are needed. Surely even the dimmest can see that most of those shopping in Holbeach now are elderly. They will not, and in some cases, cannot walk from Boston Road to the High St. Instead of parking tickets the High St needs more 1 hour parking bays which could easily be achieved if the right people put their heads together.
I am sorry that you fill that most of the 600 spaces are in the Boston Road car park, but I can say that there is parking in the St Johns Road car park and on street parking in the High St, Church St, West End etc. I know that it will mean walking into the High Street. All the parking spaces in the High Street are in the widest part of road, therefore allowing for the free flow of traffic, if more parking spaces were to inserted into the High Street this will cause traffic chaos and problems for the emergency services. If you have any ideas for improved parking please let me know.
Not a hope of parking in St John’s St car park most of the time. Now the bus stop has been moved there is plenty of room to add on street parking in it’s place. Also the road is so wide at that end of town you could easily add parking spaces on that side of the road also. You say else
where would cause traffic chaos ? So how come parking in front of the Chequers many years ago worked ? The road is wide enough, it just needs the centre white line moving over. Non of this is rocket science.
Not a mention of the cycle lane next to the Police Station being permanently blocked by parked cars all day????
Mr Worth stated that action would be taken with these Enforcement Officers, although it appears yet another band of officials which i pay for, do the work which the Police are already paid.
So, the cycle path, next to the Police Station????
It is interesting that you mention the cycle path, I have been investigating this and after correspondence with the County Council on this matter, I have been informed that the cycle path is not enforceable as it is in only of advisory status, not mandatory. This I have passed to Mr Worth.
Hi, just seen details of a proposed wind farm at Holbeach St Marks. Funny no one in Holbeach St Marks has heard anything about this. Local councillor is coming on April 24th 2013 1100 -1130hrs to discuss/tell those attending at Holbeach St Marks community Hall about it.
Does this mean it is already passed as a ‘scope’ survey on wildlife has already been undertaken. How about letting all residents know (mail shot) about the plans, by having an open day allowing those at work to attend and discuss this with our councillor.
Neil
The proposed Wind Farm was mentioned in the Moulton Parish Council minutes of the 2nd October 2012 as correspondence received, there was no mention in the September/October minutes of Holbeach Parish Council.
Holbeach & District Civic Society received the report in February 2013 and are keeping a watching brief on this.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has raised concerns over the Wind Farm, as it is within 400m of there Moulton Marsh nature reserve. Which is a designated a Local Wildlife Site. They have also mentioned that the assessment of the site due to Bats needs to have a high level not a medium level as stated in the scoping report. This is as per the BCT guidance in Bat Surveys due to the proposed number of wind turbines. These issues were raised in August 2012. Any report once carried out should be recorded at the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre.
In November 2012 a new company was set up to progress the proposed Wind Farm further. The company now concerned with this is HOLBEACH ST MARKS WIND FARM LIMITED, as far as I can see the directors are involved in a large number of companies all involved in alternative forms of electricity production.
There is a long way to go before anything will happen as 3 years of research needs to be carried out and there is no hint at present of a planning application being made.
I suggest that anyone available attends the meeting on Wednesday 24th April to hear what is said about the Wind Farm.
The proposed wind farm will be a travesty and potentially ruining a great and rare habitat for many animals. It is also one of the localities last amenities like this. Even if you are a supporter of wind farms this is not one that is morally acceptable for our future and that of our next our generation. As a community we should not just sit back and wait…the whole appraisal will cost all local rate payers money in the research and administration costs alone. stop before it starts…..review other local existing sites for expansion as long as they do not effect other people with similar concerns …if this is allowed to proceed then how long before it is suggested it would be economical to connect these with more along the coast to use the current infrastructure at Sutton bridge. I do not see a suggestion for an archeology survey in the scoping report…is there still some missing treasure out there in the wash?
Neil / Dave / Anyone – as a concerned resident of Holbeach St. Marks, who’s just learnt of the wind farm proposal from a home-made sign in the centre of the village, and only today the local paper, could I please ask where more details are available of the meeting on April 24th. ? Thanks.
The meeting as such is the Wednesday Morning Pop In at St Marks Village Hall, which is held on a weekly basis. Discussions take place among the people that attend with reference to the village. Two to Three weeks ago mention was made of the possibility of a wind farm at Holbeach St Marks and copies of the scoping report was made available. this report is also available on line at http://www.infinis.com/assets/downloads/development_documents/Holbeach%20St%20Marks/Holbeach%20St%20Marks%20Wind%20Farm%20Scoping%20Report%20July%202012v3.pdf.
This is the only information available at present.
Just wanted to say that I struggle to see how HSM residents are going to be able to attend the meeting when hardly anyone knows anything about it. I appreciate that we will not be within the 1km area and I personally think it’s a great idea but there are lots of people who will want more information but, as usual, no-one knows about anything that is going on in the village. We don’t all regularly go to the pop-in or use the village hall so surely some sort of posters telling people about it may have been helpful!
Vikki. I appreciate that more information is required about the proposed Wind Farm, but at present the people behind the farm do not themselves have all the data they need to go take the idea any further forward than the scoping report.
There are questions that have to dealt with on the wildlife in the area and the migratory bird population of geese and the protected bat population, of which the RSPB have asked questions about and they may well raise objections to the wind farm.
The developers have to collect 3 years of data from the wind mast that has been installed before any planning application is submitted to South Holland District Council.
At present there is only discussions going on at the Pop In on Wednesday. The first I know of todays discussions was Neil’s comments above and I have investigated them further and can confirm that it is only a general discussion, I would hope that a meeting for the village will be organised once full information is available.
I’ve been living in Holbeach Hurn for 2 years now, I must say that I learnt quite early that it was a lot easier to drive to Fleet Hargate for the post office as you can never park near the town one in Holbeach and I often have heavy parcels to post. I was in Holbeach yesterday and actually crossed the road to avoid walking past the empty ‘eastern delight’ building, It will fall on someone soon, it’s an accident waiting to happen! I did look into renting a shop in the high street but that too was structurally unsound so we opened in Kings Lynn instead! I have to drive 40 minutes from home to Gosberton to see a dentist, the nearer dentists won’t even put you on a waiting list they are so full. I totally disagree that a swimming pool is unaffordable too! All of the mums at the local schools already pay to send the kids swimming in Spalding and would all rather they spent more time in the pool than on a 20 min journey to Spalding! I know I’d use it and pay for the privilege. What a fantastic way to get Holbeach back on the map!!!
I find little to disagree with in Michelle’s post (above). We’ve been here for a little over a year. Holbeach itself isn’t too bad and the high street is holding up fairly well – remarkable given the fact that Tesco are there. I’m convinced it wouldn’t take much to improve it significantly.
I think Holbeach is crying out for a leisure facility/swimming pool. I too would be only too happy to pay to use one.
With reference to empty ‘Eastern Delight’ Building, there are workmen working on the inside of the building and are due to work on the outside structure soon.
Parking outside the Post Office seems to have improved since the parking has been enforced, but as you say Fleet Hargate Post Office is easier to use for parking and this helps keep the smaller Post Office’s open.
I know that Holbeach has been calling for more dentist in the area for some time, but again they need to be sure that they will have enough work to keep them in business.
The cost of a swimming pool could be in excess of £2.5m to built, this I have priced from the building of a new leisure facility in Crawley, West Sussex and is worked out from there costing supplied to Sport England. These costs are based on the pool being built in 2005. You have to add on to these costs the cost of land and inflation. The pool area is part of a full leisure facility that cost £27,760,000. This included sports hall, gymnasium, indoor bowls, squash courts, etc. Yes, I agree that a swimming pool would be nice, but were would you put it and secondly were would the money be obtained to build it.
I think that it costs approximately £10m to build the David Lloyd type (all singing all dancing) facilities. I’m not sure we could stretch to that , but a swimming pool for a town the size of Holbeach isn’t unreasonable. It’s probably about time that SHDC realised that the world doesn’t revolve around Spalding.
For what it’s worth, I think it’s important that Holbeach gets a tangible benefit from any proposed development; which is to say the benefit should be more than just enabling the community to absorb the additional numbers.
If you build the right standard of housing, in sufficient quantity, the business case for attracting private sector investment (for swimming pools/leisure facilities etc.) would be that much stronger.
Also, Re dentists. I know it’s not local (and the world doesn’t revolve around Spalding) but we managed to get in at A1 dental at the Johnson Community Hospital. So far so good. It’s NHS and has appointments at weekends! It suits us, despite the fact that it’s >10 miles away, becasue we’re often that way and you only (usually) go once or twice a year.
We clearly don’t need a leisure complex the size of which you are describing, it’s a small town! We have gym and other facilities nearby already, that is my point! But no pool!! When you consider Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, all of the Holbeach villages & Fleet’s then it would more than pay its way to have a pool!! There is talk of more than the 22 hr yearly curriculum need In schools as it is a very much needed life skill! With half of the 22 hrs my child sits on the bus travelling to Spalding!!
Michelle
I do agree with you that Holbeach could do with a swimming pool, but it does have to be of a size to cope with all the schools in the area, as well as use by the general public. As Leon has said perhaps we can a pool as a tangible benefit from any proposed development. Here is a thought, if all the facilities were incorporated into one complex it would allow parents who transport their children to the gym etc. to use the pool at the same time or if a coffee shop is included on site to meet with other children’s parents.
Holbeach has a fantastic high school it’s what attracted me when I moved out of London 10 yrs ago my child is just about to leave and go to Uni now I wonder if I should have stayed in London as there are no opportunities here once graduated, it is safer here granted and my child has had more freedom than in London, I too have been out of work for three months dispute returning to uni myself and that is what I dislike about this place when they talk of regeneration and job creation on look north it’s always hull or the Humber until we attract new business thus creating reasons for people to move and stay Holbeach will continue to die on its feet has anyone else noticed the large amount of for sale signs suddenly popping up, if it wasn’t for the fact I want my youngest child to attend holbeach academy I too would move, on the plus the football academy is a fantastic addition to the town can’t a pool be added ? The type of shops I like aren’t here so I go to Lynn a coffee shop would be nice though and decent clothes shops !