Creative arts hub at Spilsby Theatre, Church Street, Spilsby

What is proposed

The scheme would change and repair the former theatre and bar to create arts, community, heritage, café, office and outdoor spaces.

“2122/25 - Listed Building Consent - Part change of use and alterations to existing theatre and bar to provide community spaces, cafe, meeting room, offices, heritage display and outdoor seating area.”

“2123/25 - Planning Permission - Part change of use and alterations to existing theatre and bar, which is a listed building, to provide community spaces, cafe, meeting room, offices, heritage display and outdoor seating area and construction of a vehicular access.”

Officer report

The site and building

The Old Sessions House is a prominent Grade II listed building in Spilsby Conservation Area, surrounded mainly by homes and nearby listed buildings.

“The site is the Old Sessions House, which is located in the market town of Spilsby, to the west of the town centre, bordered by Church Street, West End and Spence Street. The Sessions House is a prominent landmark when approaching the town from the West. West End leads to the King Edward VI Academy, and the Spilsby Parish Church of St James is little further east along Church Street, and the Catholic Church opposite the Sessions House.”

“The Session House's aesthetic value is derived from its Greek Revival design and imposing facade, reflecting judgement and imprisonment. The later buildings also hold a degree of aesthetic value displaying decorative features including the bay window to the former Sergeants office and arched lintels with central keystone over the windows, cornicing under the eaves and brick string course detail.”

Officer report

The building’s history

The building became a theatre in 1984, closed after serious deterioration, and later received temporary repairs and funding for redevelopment.

“Historic England funding was granted for temporary roof repairs to halt the deterioration of the building fabric from water damage. The works included patch repairs of damaged or missing slates, and replacement of decayed cast iron guttering with temporary large capacity plastic gutters and rainwater pipes. These works were completed in November 2023 and significantly improved the situation.”

“ELDC secured £8.1m of Levelling Up Funding from Government, now call MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) Grant Funding), for the redevelopment of Alford Windmill, Alford Manor House and Spilsby Sessions House. The funding allocated to SSH is £4.9m out of the £8.1m pot.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highway authority and Theatre Trust supported the scheme, heritage discussions continued, and a church raised concerns about noise, parking and congestion.

“THEATRE TRUST - Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres. We were established through the Theatres Trust Act 1976 'to promote the better protection of theatres' and provide statutory planning advice on theatre buildings and theatre use in England through The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, requiring the Trust to be consulted by local authorities on planning applications which include 'development…”

“One letter from a third party, the Catholic parish of Sacred Heart, Skegness, and of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, which has premises to the south west on the opposite side of Church Street. Request social activities do not disturb the church through excessive noise/ concern about lack of parking could affect operation of the church. Already a busy congested area and no pedestrian survey.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no speakers on the application.

Members’ discussion

Members praised the comprehensive proposal and the importance of preserving the historic building before moving approval in line with the officer recommendation.

“- Members praised the comprehensive nature of the proposal and the importance of preserving the historic building.”

“Following which, the application was Proposed and Seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to conditions covering the timetable, approved plans, ecology, travel, trees, noise, archaeology and heritage details.

“5) Prior to the first occupation of the development, a Travel Statement shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval. The Travel Statement shall include measures to promote sustainable travel options and reduce reliance on the private car. Once approved, the measures identified as being deliverable prior to use shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed timetable.”

“7) Notwithstanding the submitted details, full details of all measures to mitigate and minimise noise breakout from the main hall space shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval. Measures submitted must seek to achieve the noise levels in Table 1 of the Apex Noise Break report, Memo No 11819.MIA, dated 16.7.25.”

Minutes