New affordable homes development at former hospital site begins to take shape

Longhurst Group is building 36 new homes on the former Welland Hospital site, with construction work continuing at pace.

Work on the Welland Park development, which will comprise two and three-bedroom affordable homes, started in July and now the first sign of the structures of the properties can be seen.

Marcus Keys, executive director for growth and development at Longhurst Group, said he was delighted with progress on the development.

He added: “We’ve faced a few challenges along the way thanks to the weather and the coronavirus pandemic, but we’re all really pleased with the progress being made at Welland Park.

“This development will deliver more much-needed affordable housing in Spalding and helps us to meet our vision within our Improving Lives strategy of providing the homes people want, where they’re needed most.

“The homes created on this development being available for shared ownership will give local people the opportunity to buy their first home.

“I’m also delighted that we’ve been able to retain a nod to the site’s past by naming it Welland Park, while two of the road names on the development will also be in keeping with the NHS theme.

“It’s important to us to retain the history of sites we develop, so it’s great to have been able to do this on the site of the former Welland Hospital.”

In total, 18 homes on the development – which will be accessible from Roman Bank and Holbeach Road - will be made available for shared ownership, with the remaining 18 for affordable rent.

Lindum Group site manager Alex Hackett said: “We’ve completed the piling and ground beams and most of the substructure blockwork is finished.

“We’re now starting to erect the scaffolding and the first timber frames will go up soon – meaning people passing by will see the buildings begin to take shape.

“Progress on site is good, although the snow did made things a little tricky recently. The internal building work will begin on the homes in March.”

Longhurst Group will be launching the properties to the public in the spring and hopes to take handover of the homes from the developer in the summer.

For more information on the development, visit longhurst-group.org.uk/welland-park-spalding/.