South Kesteven District Council hosted Government officials on a whistle-stop tour of major projects in Grantham.
Officers from the Ministry of Housing, Communties and Local Government (MHCLG) were shown new council homes in Swinegate; a site at Larch Close where work has just started on 21 new council properties; improvements to the Market Place; and progress on SKDC’s new depot at Turnpike Close.
Nicola Mearns, the MHCLG area lead for Greater Lincolnshire, said: “MHCLG has a responsibility to know about both the challenges and opportunities that areas are facing.
“We have been impressed by what we have seen. It is clear that the council is making progress in many different ways and our visit means we will be able to shine a light on what is happening in Grantham.”
The visit was hosted by the Leader of SKDC, Cllr Ashley Baxter and Deputy Leader, Cllr Paul Stokes.
Cllr Baxter said: “It is wonderful to see the difference that the council is making for its residents and great that the Government is taking an interest in our successes.
“Since forming the current administration we have taken a number of projects from being just pipe-dreams to concrete reality for the benefit of our residents.”
Bin collection, street cleaning, and parks maintenance teams will all operate from the new depot, alongside housing repairs and maintenance teams. An extensive workshop for maintaining the council’s vehicle fleet is also part of the development.
The depot, constructed by Lindum Group Ltd, is designed to be sustainable, economic and efficient in terms of energy and operation.
Freddie Chambers, co-chairman of Lindum, said: “ “We are delighted to see the depot taking shape. This project will give council teams the modern, efficient base they need to deliver vital frontline services, which is particularly meaningful to us -given that more than 100 of our colleagues live within the South Kesteven district.
“We value on our long-standing partnership with South Kesteven District Council and, as a local business, we’re pleased to contribute to Grantham’s regeneration and to support a council that is clearly committed to making lasting improvements.”
The development at Swinegate is an SKDC project to provide 20 new properties for those most in need of somewhere to live.
The one- and two-bedroom flats have been built on 700sqm of disused land and part of the Watergate car park in the heart of Grantham.
The new properties reflect the Georgian character of Swinegate and are designed to be inclusive, accessible, adaptable, energy efficient, sustainable and good value.
Work started this week on 21 new council properties at Larch Close.
It is part of SKDC’s housing strategy to build much-needed homes across the district and will bring a mixture of one-bedroom flats and two to four-bedroom houses, each with their own parking and cycle storage.
The properties will be allocated to those on the Council's housing register and follow recent successful SKDC developments in Kinoulton Court and at Earlesfield Lane, both in Grantham. Meadow Close, Bourne, and Trinity Road, Stamford.
The council's investment programme in Grantham through Future High Streets Funding has seen major improvements to the Market Place and Station Approach.
The Market Place is now a multi-use social space designed to encourage footfall and diversify town centre businesses, market and leisure opportunities.
Successful events this summer have included Bike Night, Dinomania and outdoor cinema.
Public toilets at Conduit Lane were also reopened following refurbishment through the FHSF.
At Station Approach, enhanced safety has created a welcoming route into the town for visitors.
These projects follow SKDC initiatives to enhance shopfronts, improve the town’s appeal and encourage affordable housing through upper-floor conversions.
Further projects currently under way include: planters, benches and cycle parking; Grantham Museum refurbishment; improvements to the Conservation Area of the cultural quarter; direction signs; and new initiatives to develop and grow Grantham Market.
