Sleaford market place £1m revamp plans deferred after objections

Artist's impression of the revamped market place in Sleaford

Plans for a £1m transformation of a town centre market place have been deferred after more than 100 objections were lodged.

North Kesteven District Council proposed replacing a car park outside St Denys' Church in Sleaford with flowerbeds and outdoor seating.

Concerns were raised about the impact on businesses, traffic and the loss of disabled parking.

Councillors voted to defer the decision at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

The proposals also included new paving, with lighting to illuminate the war memorial and church.

Two raised beds of plants and new seating areas would be created, with extra space for nearby cafes to put out tables and chairs.

'Flawed planning proposals'

However, critics said removing the parking would discourage visitors to the town centre and create further issues regarding the staging of events in the square, as well as restricting vehicular access to St Denys' Church and local businesses.

A petition against the proposals attracted more than 1,100 signatures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The deferral was proposed by Councillor Marianne Overton, who said there had been a lack of consultation and compromise.

"Each of these disbenefits individually is a big concern but put together they sum up the flaws in these planning proposals which will have a long-term negative, if not fatal impact on the purposes of the marketplace," she said.

The square outside St Denys' Church is currently used for parking and the town's market

Speaking after the meeting, Richard Wright, leader of the council, said: "What this does is give us that opportunity to look at where those thoughts are, where the concerns are, and make sure that any scheme that comes back actually addresses those concerns and we get it right."

Ken Hanslip, owner of Bellissimo Boutique, said: "The option to send it back for rejigging and improvement is positive."

Disabled access campaigner Anthony Henson also welcomed the decision.

"We really need a good plan for Sleaford, and the opportunity is there to get one," he added.