Donington '˜eyesore' set for transformation after planning vote

Coun Jane King, parish and district councillor for Donington, warmly welcomed a decision by South Holland District Council to grant planning permission so that the former Red Cow Hotel can be turned into a new housing development.

The grade-II listed former coaching inn has been wrecked by a spate of fires and vandalism over the past 15 years.

But at a planning meeting last Wednesday, Hertfordshire-based developers Market Homes Limited was given the green light to turn the Red Cow into 31 apartment-type homes.

A statement from Market Homes Limited said: “The building has been closed for business for approximately 15 years and during this time, it has fallen into disrepair and is partially dilapidated.

“The building is on the (district council’s) at risk register and has been the subject of a number of fires and anti-social behaviour.”

Previous attempts to rejuvenate the building were “the subject of a number of failed business ventures”, according to the statement which added “due to the demise of public houses, its use is no longer viable”.

Coun King said: “We had a meeting with the developers when they first bought the place last summer.

“But because it’s such a big thing that they want to do, it all went a bit quiet until they came back with a few more planning details in May this year.

“We then met with South Holland District Council and the developers were asked to work on the front of the building first, which they said ‘yes’ to.

“They do seem very keen and committed, although it’s going to be a hell of a job to clean up the site.

“But I’m very pleased and hopefully Donington is coming back together.”