Work to begin within weeks after Springfields extension plans in Spalding given green light

Modified plans to extend an out-of-town retail centre have been approved – but work must get underway within a matter of weeks.

South Holland District Council have granted an application by Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure to demolish the existing NFU Mutual offices at Spalding’s Camel Gate and replace it with floorspace of up to 3,700 sqm and revised parking.

However, one of the caveats imposed by the authority states that construction must begin by February 4 of this year.

Original plans for the extension were passed in February 2021, and with applicants given a three-year period to begin work, the approval of these latest modifications mean work must begin swiftly.

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Springfields – which is currently home to a number of high street brands and coffee shops including Next, M&S, Cadbury, Jack Wills, Game and EE – applied for the extension space to be used as ‘flexible retail and/or coffee shops/restaurants floorspace’.

However, if the outlet wished to use the space for a supermarket or food store, consent would have to be given by SHDC.

“Given the out of centre location of the site it is considered necessary to prevent general food sales to ensure that the development does not harm the vitality and viability of Spalding town centre,” the decision notice explained.

The SHDC officer’s report stated: “Included within the application site boundary is the existing South Car Park, NFU Mutual offices and its associated car park, part of the Festival Gardens, the Springfields Garden Centre Car Park, Springfields Events and Conference Centre and associated land and a strip of land running adjacent to the A16 to the east.

“It also includes Camel Gate and land to the west which includes the Springfields Main Customer Car Park, an existing bus layby and drop-off and land at the Grade II Listed Fulney Hall.”

The plans received two objections from residents plus a representation h stating that the pedestrian accesses across Camel Gate ‘needs addressing as it is presently unsafe’.

What do you think? What would you like to see from an extended Springfields? Post your thoughts in the comments below