'Significant milestone' reached at derelict site

South Kesteven District Council and the new and former landowners celebrated the exchange of contracts on the site

Plans to transform a brownfield site in Lincolnshire have taken a step forward after a deal to sell the land was agreed.

The St Martin's Park project will see offices, shops. houses and retirement village built on the site of the former Cummins generator factory in Stamford.

South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) purchased the land in 2018 and wanted to keep it for employment use, but the site has remained derelict since.

Councillor Richard Cleaver, SKDC's cabinet member for property and public engagement, said the agreement was a "significant milestone" in what had been a "challenging project".

Cleaver added: “This is a major development that will transform a derelict site into a thriving addition to the Stamford community."

Morris Homes will provide the residential development, Inspired Living will take on the retirement village and Burghley Land Ltd will be responsible for the commercial development.

Combined with adjacent land owned by Burghley House Preservation Trust, the development site is 14.7 hectares (36 acres) in total.

SKDC said outline planning permission for the site was granted in 2021. The next stage in the planning process will see the three developers submit applications early in 2025, along with an overall scheme to deliver joint infrastructure works.

It was previously revealed SKDC was spending £21,000 a month to keep the site supplied with electricity.

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