A raft of community facilities across Kirton in Lindsey have gained protection from development thanks to North Lincolnshire Council declaring them assets of community value.
This means that if any owner wants to sell the facilities, local groups have the legal right to bid to acquire them.
Six venues were put forward for protection by Kirton in Lindsey Town Council. Four of these are on the site of the old RAF base on York Road in the town. These are The Vincent Hall, the sports field, tennis courts and the officer’s mess. Protection has also been given to the town’s youth centre and library.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are happy to support these applications by Kirton Town Council to protect these key community assets.
“Some of these are connected to the RAF base in the town and are used by the local community or could be brought back into use for the benefit of local people.
“This decision helps protect these areas from development, and while North Lincolnshire does need more homes – particularly for older people – these must be built in the right places and not at the expense of much-needed community assets.”
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “We have backed communities across the length and breadth of North Lincolnshire – providing things such as community grants, outdoor gym equipment, community libraries and leisure facilities.
“This move to protect community assets is the latest example of how we are backing residents plans and proposals for how their towns and villages can continue to flourish and grow.”
