250K recreation park plan ‘will not happen’

It is three years since the council launched a bid to build the facility on land between Prosect Street and Tesco car park following a public consultation.

The site was handed over to the town council by East Lindsey District Council in an ‘asset transfer.’

Despite efforts to attract funding - and bringing in one of the country’s leading firm of consultants, the project has stalled.

Speaking at last week’s town council meeting, Coun Matthew Wilkinson admitted there was little chance of the project securing funding.

He praised the efforts of a council working group but admitted the council could not convince potential funders that the project was supported by ‘all the community.’

Coun Wilkinson said: “The group has done all it could. Our deputy clerk Michelle Moss, has been outstanding.”

Coun Wilkinson revealed the working group was recommending a ‘scaled back’ version of the initial plans with recreational facilities being built in manageable blocks.

He explained: “We have the 50K from Town Council and the asset transfer of the land is a big plus.

“We have approached large scale funders.

“Covid is making it more difficult although to be fair, they were refusing our requests before the pandemic.

“We are not getting anywhere.

“We suggest we scale the project back into manageable blocks.

“We should also ask the public and local groups to get involved because the town council applying for funding has been a problem.

“We should still allocate the site for recreation but the 250k project will not happen.”

Coun Dominic Hinkins praised the group and added: “It’s not a failure...it’s an opportunity.

“We have some really good ideas on how we can take this forward. It’s not just a skate park.”

Councillors agreed to back the working group’s proposal and were assured there was no outstanding financial commitments to the firm of consultants.