Campaigners fighting to save Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart playing field say they are encouraged by comments from MP John Hayes.
The South Holland and The Deepings MP told the Free Press he doesn’t want the development based around some “soulless mega store” and would prefer it to be focussed on small, independent traders.
The MP also says town centre green space should be maintained or boosted, the design of any shopping development should be of the highest architectural quality and it should be turned to face the town centre rather than “look” away.
Campaigners Bill Johnson and Adam McVeigh are trying to galvanise the people of the town to oppose any redevelopment of the field as part of the plans for Holland Market.
Mr Johnson welcomed Mr Hayes’ opposition to a mega store and said: “If he means it, it is a good thing.”
Mr Johnson and Mr McVeigh have a campaign website www.spaldingcommunitycampaign.info and are looking at ways to distribute leaflets to every home in the town.
“We must have the support of the people of Spalding,” Mr Johnson stressed.
Holland Market owner Corbo is believed to be planning to build a supermarket on a site which covers part of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, the current bus station and car park, but as yet no planning application has been lodged.
• The playing field campaigners have created a voting facility on their website. People can say if they want to keep the field as it is, or opened as a public park. So far only 62 people have voted – 50 want it opened as a public park while 12 want to keep it as it is.