Major regeneration project approved

A major regeneration project has been approved in Lincolnshire.

Boston Borough Council’s Rosegarth Square scheme includes a new public park extending from the River Witham to the Len Medlock Centre, as well as improved pedestrian routes and art installations.

Work on the regeneration project is expected to begin in early 2025 and completed by February 2026, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor David Middleton said the project marks a "significant step forward for our community," while one councillor criticised the proposals, arguing it had some “awfully big holes in it”.

Middleton, chairman of the council's planning committee, said: "This new public realm will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our town but also provide a vibrant, multi-functional space for entertainment and specialist markets, one-off events and much more for residents and visitors alike.

"It's a testament to the council's commitment to enhance the surrounding area for future investment and foster a sense of pride and belonging among our community."

During the council’s planning meeting on Tuesday, Louis Ashford, from Ares Landscape Architects, the agent and designer behind the application, said the proposed public realm acted as a "gateway, a node into the town centre".

Responding to a planning report, Heritage Lincolnshire indicated there may be some archaeological items of interest on-site, as it has been considered "an area of archaeological importance".

Although independent councillor Alison Austin criticised the project, she added: “It’s almost too incomplete of an application for me to be confident with it, but I like the principle."

Another independent councillor, Helen Stapes, said: “To my mind, this is going to be rather beautiful, but it’s going to be let down by the existing areas.”

Mr Ashford later said the area to the east of the Crown House building, adjacent to River Witham, presented "an opportunity for event space, which could host pop-up markets and other gatherings".

He said there were also plans to develop the land on which a former derelict B&M building is situated.

The authority was given £14.8m of the government's Levelling Up funding in January 2023, a part of which would also support the revamp of Crown House into a mix of residential and other uses, as well as the demolition of the B&M building.

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