Sleaford Market Place £1m revamp given go ahead

The plans for Sleaford Market Square include new paving and seating areas

Plans for a £1m revamp of a town centre market place have been approved.

North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) wants to replace the car park outside St Denys' Church in Sleaford with flowerbeds and outdoor seating.

Approval of the plans had twice been deferred after more than 200 objections and an online petition against the scheme, with concerns raised over the loss of disabled parking.

A full NKDC council meeting on Thursday voted to go ahead with the project.

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

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

The petition, which attracted around 1,000 signatures, requested to withdraw the planning application and consult further with businesses and residents.

Opponents claimed it would kill footfall and local business with its plan to restrict parking in favour of a more pedestrianised market square.

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

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the meeting heard a motion by Lincolnshire Independents councillor David Suiter that the council should "not act on any planning permission in its name regarding changes to the Sleaford Market Place and instead consult with the public and businesses".

However, the council rejected councillor Suiter's motion, with 13 in favour and 21 against, with three abstentions, meaning the redevelopment will go ahead.

Sleaford Town Council previously said it was taking legal advice about the possibility of launching a judicial review challenging the plan.