South Holland District councillors have given the final go-ahead for the redevelopment of the Castle Sports Centre site in Spalding. Following the approval, the first phase of the £28.3m project will now move forward, with a further set of external works scheduled to begin in late August. The main construction phase is expected to start in September, with a public opening for the new facilities in January 2027. The project is receiving £20m in UK Government funding alongside further investment from South Holland District Council. The improved centre will provide a modern and inclusive mix of indoor and outdoor facilities, designed to support residents of all ages to live healthier lives. The first phase of works will include the creation of a single building containing two new swimming pools, village changing facilities, multi-sport hall, fitness suite, cycle and group exercise studios, health and wellbeing consultation rooms, a children’s adventure play area and updated reception and café-type areas. Outdoor works will see a new 3G pitch installed, alongside an outdoor running and cycling circuit and community garden. Later phases will involve the demolition of the existing swimming pool building, and the addition of a new outdoor multi-use games area, new children’s play area, splashpad, and additional car parking for the site. While the current ‘dry side’ section of the centre is redeveloped, temporary fitness suite and group exercise facilities will be available at the Spalding Campus of Boston College on Red Lion Street. The Council is also arranging temporary facilities for indoor bowls activity to continue in Long Sutton. Swimming facilities will remain operational. Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s project sponsor, said: “I’m delighted that we can deliver this bold and ambitious project for the people of South Holland, and bring the high-quality leisure, sport, and wellbeing facilities that our district so badly needs – now and for many generations to come. “This redevelopment is about empowering and encouraging our residents to live healthier, more active lives together, and I can think of no better or more impactful way to invest in our future. This project can be a catalyst for real, lasting change, and I can’t wait to see the next stage of these exciting plans get underway.” Councillor Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, said: “Opportunities for investment of this size and ambition are not historically common for places like Lincolnshire, and I am proud of the work we have done to secure this funding and now to take another serious step towards making it a reality. “As a result of the government funding, local taxpayers are effectively getting a brand new facility for just £8million, which is really good value for money. “This is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about investing in the future of South Holland and giving everyone in our district the chance to thrive physically, mentally and socially. “Part of our vision of a greater Lincolnshire for all is about working closely with our health partners to deliver better outcomes and to provide better, more accessible services to our residents of all ages and circumstances, and this project shows those pledges in action.”   Image shows Spalding. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Steven F Granville

Flood warnings across Lincolnshire have been upgraded to improve accuracy and reach, following several disruptive flood events earlier this year. The Environment Agency has expanded its service to cover hundreds more properties, with a particular focus on areas such as Grantham, Boston, Lincoln and Market Rasen.

The January floods prompted more than 30 warnings in a single period, and highlighted gaps in the existing alert system. Some residents in Grantham, for example, were notified unnecessarily, leading to avoidable concern.

In response, the Environment Agency has introduced more precise alert zones. One key change is the creation of a dedicated warning area for the South Forty-Foot Drain in Boston. In Grantham, the River Witham alert area has been split to better reflect flood risk patterns.

These updates mean over 800 properties have now been placed into a more appropriately sized flood warning zone. Officials are encouraging locals to register for alerts, as better data and targeting means warnings are now more useful and less likely to cause false alarms.

The changes are part of broader efforts to make flood alerts feel less like blanket warnings and more like tailored, timely tools to help people prepare.

  Image shows Boston. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony

  Image credit: Google maps

Efforts to improve safety and wellbeing in Scunthorpe are beginning to show results as North Lincolnshire Council continues to roll out targeted initiatives in partnership with police and community groups.

A renewed focus on street-level issues such as drinking, fly-tipping, and unlicensed trading has led to a string of enforcement actions. Public Space Protection Orders have been extended, illicit tobacco and vapes have been seized from multiple premises, and two serious offences are now with the Crown Court.

Retail inspections found alcohol licence breaches in six shops, though only one required formal action. A new selective licensing scheme is also in place, aimed at improving standards in rental housing.

Beyond enforcement, the council has stepped up local engagement. Environmental clean-up projects have been run alongside faith and cultural groups, and new health and education services have been introduced in key neighbourhood hubs.

There’s now a new one-way traffic system to ease congestion, and patrols during busy periods are helping address noise, litter, and trading issues.

With additional funding secured and enforcement hours extended, the council says it’s aiming to make neighbourhoods not just safer, but more connected and confident.

Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

The University of Lincoln has launched the UK’s first dedicated institute to tackle health disparities in rural and coastal communities. The Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH), based in Mablethorpe at the newly developed Campus for Future Living, aims to address health inequalities affecting 85% of the UK’s landmass.

LIRCH is backed by a £10.9 million grant from the UKRI Research England – Expanding Excellence in England (E3) fund. The initiative focuses on integrated, multi-disciplinary research to develop practical solutions tailored to the needs of these underserved areas. The Institute aims to improve access to healthcare and address the impact of factors like climate change and socio-economic deprivation, which contribute to higher rates of preventable illnesses and lower life expectancy in rural and coastal regions.

The launch event featured key speakers, including Professor Mark Gussy, Director of LIRCH, and Claire Woodward, Director of Community Investment at ACIS Group. The event was also supported by Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, who spoke remotely and underscored the significance of the new institute in improving health outcomes across rural and coastal communities.

The Campus for Future Living, which serves as the new home for the Institute, underscores LIRCH’s commitment to creating community-driven, place-based health solutions. Through collaboration with local councils, community organisations, and healthcare providers, LIRCH will develop research that aims to drive meaningful, long-term impact in these regions.

Image credit: University of Lincoln