The Abbeyfields development

The Raymond Mays garage which closed down in the autumn of 2005 is part of a massive projected housing development coupled with the former Rainbow supermarket site in nearby Manning Road and covering a total of 5.2 acres. Planning permission has been given for an estate of 108 dwellings although there are fears locally that this will be too high a density for the area involved.

Unfortunately, progress on the scheme was held up by the economic climate created by the banking crisis in 2009 with the result that although the Rainbow supermarket had been  vacated, negotiations to find a developer continued while the garage site in Spalding Road has become derelict and an eyesore. Planning permission was originally granted for a three-year period by South Kesteven District Council in June 2008 but this was extended by another three years in November 2011 although the time limit did not include any provision for the owners, Anglia Regional Co-operative Society, to keep the site tidy.

By this time its appearance was giving cause for public concern and was seen as a poor advertisement for an expanding community, especially as it stood on the eastern approaches to the town and could be seen by every passing motorist and coach party on the A151 which was not regarded as a good advertisement for anyone intending to settle here or open a business. The Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Brenda Johnson, described the site as an eyesore in an interview with The Local newspaper (August 19th). "If it is not going to be developed for another three years then I would like to see the owners made to keep it tidy", she said.

Work eventually began on site in April 2012 with the demolition of existing buildings. The new estate will be known as Abbeyfields and comprise 108 two and three bedroom properties including 33 affordable homes of which 13 will be offered through shared ownership and 20 through affordable rent. The developers say that they are perfectly suited for first time buyers, anyone who wants to downsize and young families seeking a high quality new home. Selected plots will also have solar panels to produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days. "Homeowners can therefore enjoy reduced electricity bills as well as generating additional revenue from the government's feed in tariff", said a spokesman.

THE GARAGE AFTER CLOSURE
When the business closed in 2005, the garage was left empty while the future of the site was decided and it is now expected that the land will be used for residential development. Both of the main entries were sealed off with barriers and the windows boarded up. Unfortunately, the closure left Bourne with only one petrol retail outlet, Tesco/Express in North Street.
DEMOLITION OF THE GARAGE PREMISES
Demolition contractors moved in during March 2012 and started to pull down the old buildings to make way for a new housing estate after developers promised the work was due to start later in the year.
Once the site had been cleared, remarkable progress was made and by October, a terrace of new homes was nearing completion on the Spalding Road (below) where the first owners were expected to be in residence by Christmas.

REVISED OCTOBER 2012

Return to The Raymond Mays garage

See also Co-operative Food