Stamford Civic Society Newsletter Winter 2025
The Civic Society Committee have had a busy few months. The obvious results of work undertaken by Committee member Tim Lee, and supported by the rest of the committee is the newly installed Welcome To Stamford Arch in Sheepmarket and Horseshoe Lane. This project has taken over a year to finalise and we hope that you appreciate its completed result.
The Civic Society Committee have had a busy few months. The obvious results of work undertaken by Committee member Tim Lee, and supported by the rest of the committee is the newly installed Welcome To Stamford Arch in Sheepmarket and Horseshoe Lane. This project has taken over a year to finalise and we hope that you appreciate its completed result.
This is the new Arch that we have installed in Sheepmarket.
I hope that you agree with the many positive comments that we have received. It is a truly fitting and positive structure for our town centre.
John Regis from The Golden Fleece says “ I would like to say a massive thank you to the Stamford Civic Society for raising the funds for our beautiful new welcome sign. It’s things like this that make Stamford such a beautiful and appealing place for people to visit, creating a strong environment for small businesses like ours to thrive.”
David Dunn from Harrison and Dunn says “ it draws you to the corner. Its really welcoming “
Leble from the Cosy Club says” its very fitting there, a good place for it fits into the area perfectly, it’s great.”
Clare from Nook says” It looks amazing. A great position especially for people coming from the bus station. An ideal position for it.”
Way back in the autumn of 2023 Tim Lee worked with Tom Coulthard Tutor within the department of Art and Design at Stamford College, and his Level 3 Extend Diploma students. Together these students and their tutor worked on their vision for an archway which we hoped could be installed at the bottom of Horseshoe Lane. Back then it seemed like a positive vision but nothing more. However, these students came up with a whole variety of designs that were considered by our Civic Society Committee. After some further work and consultation meetings between Tom Coulthard and Tim Lee the final design was agreed.
The next stage was to find an engineering company that could fabricate and install the arch for us. Again, Tim managed to solve this problem, and JEM Engineering and Fabrication Ltd of Peterborough were approached to see if they could help. JEM were so supportive that they drew up the working documents, plans and applied for planning permission on our behalf. Truly a great help, this enabled us to progress our project to its conclusion. Our Corporate Sponsors contributions to the Civic Society have been allocated towards the costs involved with the Arch and its installation. We are as always grateful for their continued support. Stamford Town Council have agreed to include the arch in their corporate insurance and take ownership of this asset.
We consider that along with our previous projects in and around Sheepmarket, the circular bench under the tree, the enhancement of the area around the bus station slope, that this is an attractive part of the town. Our vision was to make a positive environment that would welcome visitors to our town, particularly, the many people that come on buses and coaches who all enter the town centre through Sheepmarket. It is pleasing to note that during the fine summer weather this part of the town can be seen to be full of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants enjoying themselves. Our Arch will thus enhance a vibrant area for all to see and enjoy.
I hope that you agree with the many positive comments that we have received. It is a truly fitting and positive structure for our town centre.
John Regis from The Golden Fleece says “ I would like to say a massive thank you to the Stamford Civic Society for raising the funds for our beautiful new welcome sign. It’s things like this that make Stamford such a beautiful and appealing place for people to visit, creating a strong environment for small businesses like ours to thrive.”
David Dunn from Harrison and Dunn says “ it draws you to the corner. Its really welcoming “
Leble from the Cosy Club says” its very fitting there, a good place for it fits into the area perfectly, it’s great.”
Clare from Nook says” It looks amazing. A great position especially for people coming from the bus station. An ideal position for it.”
Way back in the autumn of 2023 Tim Lee worked with Tom Coulthard Tutor within the department of Art and Design at Stamford College, and his Level 3 Extend Diploma students. Together these students and their tutor worked on their vision for an archway which we hoped could be installed at the bottom of Horseshoe Lane. Back then it seemed like a positive vision but nothing more. However, these students came up with a whole variety of designs that were considered by our Civic Society Committee. After some further work and consultation meetings between Tom Coulthard and Tim Lee the final design was agreed.
The next stage was to find an engineering company that could fabricate and install the arch for us. Again, Tim managed to solve this problem, and JEM Engineering and Fabrication Ltd of Peterborough were approached to see if they could help. JEM were so supportive that they drew up the working documents, plans and applied for planning permission on our behalf. Truly a great help, this enabled us to progress our project to its conclusion. Our Corporate Sponsors contributions to the Civic Society have been allocated towards the costs involved with the Arch and its installation. We are as always grateful for their continued support. Stamford Town Council have agreed to include the arch in their corporate insurance and take ownership of this asset.
We consider that along with our previous projects in and around Sheepmarket, the circular bench under the tree, the enhancement of the area around the bus station slope, that this is an attractive part of the town. Our vision was to make a positive environment that would welcome visitors to our town, particularly, the many people that come on buses and coaches who all enter the town centre through Sheepmarket. It is pleasing to note that during the fine summer weather this part of the town can be seen to be full of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants enjoying themselves. Our Arch will thus enhance a vibrant area for all to see and enjoy.
Planning
With regret I have to tell you that our much valued and experienced chair of the Planning Sub Committee, David Heeley, has decided that it’s time for him to resign. He has been working in this voluntary position for neigh on forty years!! I know that we will all miss his experience and knowledge. We all give him our heartfelt thanks for all the years of dedicated work that he has given to the Civic Society.
Our Planning Sub Committee has undertaken a vast amount of additional work on our behalf. As we have responded to planning consultations both the routine small private ownership planning applications, and larger potential developments including Exeter Fields.
These larger developments will have huge implications for the whole of Stamford. With this in mind we have tried to ensure that Stamford’s voice has been hear by those making the ultimate decisions.
We have made representations to The Secretary of State voicing our concerns about the huge developments, Stamford East and Stamford North. As you may know, Stamford North has been passed by South Kesteven District Council and Stamford East has been passed by Rutland County Council. Our main concern that we voiced to the respective Councils, and ultimately The Secretary of State, is that these two applications are dependant upon each other and thus we think that they should have been considered as a whole large development, taking into account the infrastructure needed, and the effect of the entire development upon the infrastructure of Stamford.
We are mindful of proposed developments being submitted for planning consent just over our county borders. There is one proposed at Whittering which is Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. Also there is one at Sibson which is Huntingdonshire.
We consider that these two have the potential to draw more cars into Stamford for shopping and services, thus it is a further concern for out transport infrastructure over the coming years. Within the town but just outside the conservation area we have acted as consultees for the planned residential development in the grounds of Stamford Hospital. This application has yet to be submitted to South Kesteven District Council.
With regret I have to tell you that our much valued and experienced chair of the Planning Sub Committee, David Heeley, has decided that it’s time for him to resign. He has been working in this voluntary position for neigh on forty years!! I know that we will all miss his experience and knowledge. We all give him our heartfelt thanks for all the years of dedicated work that he has given to the Civic Society.
Our Planning Sub Committee has undertaken a vast amount of additional work on our behalf. As we have responded to planning consultations both the routine small private ownership planning applications, and larger potential developments including Exeter Fields.
These larger developments will have huge implications for the whole of Stamford. With this in mind we have tried to ensure that Stamford’s voice has been hear by those making the ultimate decisions.
We have made representations to The Secretary of State voicing our concerns about the huge developments, Stamford East and Stamford North. As you may know, Stamford North has been passed by South Kesteven District Council and Stamford East has been passed by Rutland County Council. Our main concern that we voiced to the respective Councils, and ultimately The Secretary of State, is that these two applications are dependant upon each other and thus we think that they should have been considered as a whole large development, taking into account the infrastructure needed, and the effect of the entire development upon the infrastructure of Stamford.
We are mindful of proposed developments being submitted for planning consent just over our county borders. There is one proposed at Whittering which is Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. Also there is one at Sibson which is Huntingdonshire.
We consider that these two have the potential to draw more cars into Stamford for shopping and services, thus it is a further concern for out transport infrastructure over the coming years. Within the town but just outside the conservation area we have acted as consultees for the planned residential development in the grounds of Stamford Hospital. This application has yet to be submitted to South Kesteven District Council.
A Question for all members
Are there any members of the Civic Society that would like to join our Planning Sub Committee? They routinely look at and comment upon the applications within Stamford Conservation area to ensure that replacements/ additions to the structure of building are conducive to their original structure. They also comment upon larger new developments, as I have described above.
They are Architects and Surveyors by profession with a dedicated interest in Stamford’s heritage. They would welcome a further one or two members to join them who have panning and building experience and a sympathetic positive and constructive attitude towards planning issues, as well as historical knowledge of Stamford.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with the Sub Committee.
Are there any members of the Civic Society that would like to join our Planning Sub Committee? They routinely look at and comment upon the applications within Stamford Conservation area to ensure that replacements/ additions to the structure of building are conducive to their original structure. They also comment upon larger new developments, as I have described above.
They are Architects and Surveyors by profession with a dedicated interest in Stamford’s heritage. They would welcome a further one or two members to join them who have panning and building experience and a sympathetic positive and constructive attitude towards planning issues, as well as historical knowledge of Stamford.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with the Sub Committee.
Other News
Stamford Mercury Archive Trust has commissioned an illustrated booklet comprising the Drawings of William Stukeley. The Civic Society was pleased to give a donation towards its production and printing costs. It promises to be an interesting publication.
I was invited as your chairman, to speak to the Stamford Town Council outlining the mission and activities of Stamford Civic Society. I hope that this talk gave those Councillors who are new to their role, an insight into our work within the community.
In December the planning Sub Committee and myself spent a chilly hour at Stamford Railway Station where we spoke to a manager from East Midland Railways.EMR. I had requested this visit as we are concerned about the state of disrepair of the waiting shelter on platform two, and the footbridge. Both of these are grade two star listed. I have only just received an update following this meeting.
In essence, most of the aspects raised are the responsibility of Network Rail. EMR have raised these points with Network Rail and I now have fault identification numbers for these faults. It does not mean that they will be rectified any time soon, but we can now chase them up periodically.
Stamford Mercury Archive Trust has commissioned an illustrated booklet comprising the Drawings of William Stukeley. The Civic Society was pleased to give a donation towards its production and printing costs. It promises to be an interesting publication.
I was invited as your chairman, to speak to the Stamford Town Council outlining the mission and activities of Stamford Civic Society. I hope that this talk gave those Councillors who are new to their role, an insight into our work within the community.
In December the planning Sub Committee and myself spent a chilly hour at Stamford Railway Station where we spoke to a manager from East Midland Railways.EMR. I had requested this visit as we are concerned about the state of disrepair of the waiting shelter on platform two, and the footbridge. Both of these are grade two star listed. I have only just received an update following this meeting.
In essence, most of the aspects raised are the responsibility of Network Rail. EMR have raised these points with Network Rail and I now have fault identification numbers for these faults. It does not mean that they will be rectified any time soon, but we can now chase them up periodically.
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