Plans submitted for new £26m health centre

The council secured £20m from the government's levelling up fund for the existing Castle Sports Complex in Spalding

Plans for a new £26m health and wellbeing centre have been submitted to planning officers for assessment, South Holland District Council has said.

The existing Castle Sports Complex in Spalding will get a new main hub building, two new swimming pools, gyms and fitness studios, as well as wellbeing spaces.

A decision on this part of the project is expected in September. If granted, construction would start this winter and the main building would open to the public in summer of 2026.

The council said that a further application for a specialist housing scheme designed for older people is set to be submitted in the next few weeks.

In 2023, the council secured £20m for the existing sports centre site from the government's levelling up fund.

New outdoor facilities installed on the site would include a 3G artificial turf floodlit football pitch, as well as a separate outdoor multi-use games area, community gardens and park run track.

The extra care housing scheme, on the current swimming pool site, would contain specialist accommodation to help older people continue to live independently for longer.

In March, the council held a public consultation on the proposals. They said that 5,000 residents had visited the project's website, and more than 500 people attended drop-in events or shared their thoughts online or via email.

The council said the feedback helped them refine the designs, but that the budget had prevented them from adding all the suggestions to the plans.

Councillor Gary Taylor said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of the consultation process or who has helped to shape the designs so far.

“Feedback from those who will visit, enjoy and live near the site is invaluable in making sure we can create a truly transformative and well-used hub for South Holland's residents."

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