History
The land for the playing field on Chiltern Drive was purchased by South Holland District Council in 1982 from Geest Holdings Ltd at a reduced value specifically for a playing field. The conveyance included a specific covenant that the land should not be used for “any purpose other than as amenity land, playing field, park or any other amenity use“
A copy of the covenant was supplied to the Society in 2013 and is shown below.
Planning application
In 2011, South Holland District Council submitted a planning application to extend the Cemetery, taking up two thirds of the adjacent Chiltern Drive Playing Field. The application provoked an outcry from the local community, including a 33-name petition. Not only had the field been providing local youngsters with a safe football and kick-about space for at least 16 years, but other uses mentioned on the petition include rugby, play, park, park with grandchildren, and jogging. In other words, it’s the sort of green open-air informal leisure space that all urban communities need. After a long period during which Sport England lodged a strong objection, pointing out that no provision was being made to replace the space lost, we set out the case as to why the proposal should not go ahead in our February 2015 Newsletter.
Our objection made the following points:-
- Spalding had barely half the green playing space it ought to have for a town of its size.
- We flagged up that there was a covenant on the field, restricting its use “for any other purpose than amenity land playing field park or other amenity use” – signed up to by the Council when it bought the land in 1982.
- We pointed out that the proposals flouted South Holland District Council’s own planning policies in force at the time which stated that people, “particularly children and the elderly, [should] have access to open space close to where they live”. Development must “not cause material harm to residential amenity” and “the quality of life for residents [remain] unimpaired“.
- We highlighted that Sport England had objected strongly to the loss of playing field space, especially as no replacement playing area was offered.
We also made the case that given that Spalding was set to grow with the development of Holland Park, that it would be better to find a site for a new cemetery that would be required at some point in the near future.
The outcome was that the Council’s planning committee overwhelmingly refused the planning application with the report stating that:-
“… the proposal would lead to the unacceptable loss of recreational space … given the overall deficit of public recreational space within Spalding and the lack of provision for acceptable alternative open space of similar value to residents within a reasonable alternative location.” And went on to list the local and national planning policies the application would have contravened. The members of the Planning Committee, considered the issue to be “fundamental”.
In 2025, there were rumours that the Council were once again considering extending the cemetery onto Chiltern Drive Playing Field. Local residents once again rallied round and made their objections known, even receiving the attention of the BBC.
New Cemetery
The only long term solution for Spalding, is a new cemetery. One that will last as long as the existing one, which is nearly full, after some 170 years. With cremations more commonplace, a new cemetery could last longer.
Our Chair wrote an open letter that was published in the Spalding Voice offering to to act as a co-ordinating body to bring key stakeholders together to air the problem of the lack of space at the cemetery and to agree a shortlist of alternative options that will ensure that there is sufficient space for burials in Spalding in future. The offer was also made by email sent to key councilors in the town. We did not receive a response from any of them.
South Holland District Council revealed a “new” proposal to use part of the Chiltern Drive Playing Field for a Cemetery extension in a presentation given to Spalding Town Forum on 7 July 2026. A proposal that looks very similar to that rejected in 2015.
National & Local planning policies
The planning policies in force that would apply, should the Council pursue their proposal are, if anything, tighter than they were in 2015.
Paragraph 104 of the National Planning Policy Framework states:-
Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields and formal play spaces, should not be built on unless:
(a) an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or
(b) the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or
(c) the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.
whilst Policy 32 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan states:-
The redevelopment or change of use of an existing community facility will be permitted only if:
1. an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown that the facility is:
a. surplus to requirements; or
b. not economically viable; or
c. unfit for purpose; and
d. in the case of recreational open space, does not make an important contribution in amenity, visual or nature conservation terms;
or
2. the loss resulting from the proposed redevelopment or change of use will be replaced by equivalent or better provision (in terms of quantity and quality) in a suitable nearby location;
or
3. (in the case of sports facilities or recreational open space) the redevelopment or change of use is for alternative sports or recreational provision, the need for which clearly outweighs the loss. The development of new community facilities will be supported, provided that they are located so as to be:
1. as close as possible to the community they will serve;
2. readily accessible by public transport, on foot, and by bicycle;
3. compatible with nearby uses and the character and appearance of the neighbourhood; and
4. located and designed to enable (where possible) shared use with other services/facilities.
Is history about to repeat itself?
Should South Holland District Council take this proposal forward to formal planning, it could indeed be the case. The proposal contravenes current planning policies, and it is very difficult to see how any assessment could justify the loss of the playing field space as there is no nearby location that would be suitable. Even if the assessment were to some how make a justification for the proposal, the stated position of Sport England is that they will:-
oppose the granting of planning permission for any development which would lead to the loss of, or would prejudice the use of:-
All or any part of a playing field
Land that has been used as a playing field and remains undeveloped
Land allocated for use as a playing field.
This is unless, in our judgement, the development as a whole meets with one or more of five specific exceptions.
Therefore any formal planning application is likely to be objected to by local residents, ourselves and one or more national bodies such as Sport England.
There is an alternative
We repeat our offer to arrange an urgent meeting of all interested parties and stakeholders to discuss options for a new cemetery which Spalding will need.
