Shirley Croft Hotel to be demolished - Letter to The Grantham Journal

At the South Kesteven District Council's Development Control meeting on 18th November the decision was made to allow the demolition of the Shirley Croft Hotel. It was built in 1865 by Grantham engineering entrepreneur Richard Hornsby and wartime officers mess for the men of USAF Troop Carriers who went onto fight in D-Day. A loop hole in planning regulations, which allows an Application for Demolition to over ride the outcome of a Development Control committee, meant there were few options available to the committee. The option to put a stay on demolition to apply for Listed status for the Shirley Croft would have resulted in compensatory payments to the developer should the Listed Building application fail. Despite nearly fifty letters of objection, including contact from the Grantham Civic Society and only one supporting the proposed development the demolition of Shirley Croft Hotel will now go ahead.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan said "This is a sad day for Grantham. We have lost another valuable local building. We also objected on the grounds that the development proposed was over intensive. At least we managed to persuade the committee to alter the proposed design to be more acceptable for neighbouring residents. Officers have asked the developer to include some parts of the Shirley Croft Hotel within the building of the new houses and existing trees along Harrowby Road are to be retained.

However the news has prompted local people to work together to save other buildings and trees at risk in town. Councillor Morgan is now working with local residents, and conservation groups to identify other buildings which are unprotected at the present, local trees which could have tree preservation orders. She is requesting a list of all existing protected sites and trees from South Kesteven District Council and proposes that the council complete a Conservation Area Assessment to significantly extend the number of Conservation Areas in Grantham. She is also writing to Eric Pickles requesting the closure of the loop holes which leave buildings of local interest unprotected.

Cllr Charmaine Morgan is inviting local residents interested in helping with the work to help save Grantham's heritage to contact her on 01476 574748 or email charmaine725@btinternet.com.