More concerns over derelict Sutton Bridge eyesore

Fresh calls for action to tackle the eyesore and derelict Bridge Hotel were made at the parish council.

The parish council had already resolved at its January meeting to pass information on the mortgagees to South Holland District Council.

At that meeting councillors had declined to support a proposal for the parish council itself to write to the mortgagees to request foreclosure of the mortgage in order to force the sale of the property.

Following Thursday’s parish council meeting, clerk Robert Smith met a representative from the district council’s building control team in a bid to find out what plans the district has to deal with the building - and to suggest and encourage further action.

Former parish council chairman John Grimwood, speaking in the public forum, said he was in Bourne the previous week when someone there mentioned the hotel.

Mr Grimwood said: “I was shocked that somebody who lives in Bourne mentioned the state of the Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge because he travels through on his way to Yarmouth.”

Coun David Summers said storms had further damaged the hotel, and the ‘Bridge Hotel’ sign is now missing an “e”.

He said: “There is still genuine concern regarding that sign, the safety of it.”

Coun Peter Clery asked what action the parish council would support to deal with the hotel, bearing in mind he had suggested two well researched possible solutions.

Chairman Coun Simon Booth said the parish council had supported the move to take it to the district.

Coun Michael Booth said the district council is monitoring the hotel regularly.