Of all the opportunities afforded by the accelerated Towns Fund grant, one project that will act as a catalyst and a real opportunity to open up Boston for both its residents and businesses is the potential that the PE21 project holds. Located on the west side of the River Witham and overlooking the Boston Stump, PE21 is a 10-acre masterplan to regenerate and revitalise a key part of Boston’s town centre.
The project will bring a range of much-needed new uses into the currently under-utilised site. It will offer new residential housing and a combined health and a leisure facility in partnership with NHS Lincolnshire CCG which will service 29,000 patients.
The development will also include office accommodation and community spaces while also enhancing existing retail and independent stores. Green public spaces will also be provided for locals to create a thriving and connected community in the western part of the town.
The location of this ambitious project has already been decided, but the scope, facilities and features will be shaped by what you, the public, stakeholders and Boston businesses want to see.
Included in the plans are provisions for healthcare, leisure and transport, but a new feasibility study will set out to find out what form these various aspects will take.
Health and leisure is one important pillar of this project, and feedback so far suggests a swimming pool and associated leisure facilities are highly desirable. This, combined with healthcare services located together, will mean a more joined-up approach to addressing the Boston area’s health and fitness while filling a gap in facilities not currently offered in the town.
The local NHS is pleased to be working with Boston Borough Council and other colleagues on this exciting potential scheme.
For us, one of the most important things is recognising the health needs of local people and addressing inequalities. PE21 could be a great opportunity to do this by integrating health and other activities, working in collaboration with others to support the people of Boston.
Jacqui BunceProgramme Director Strategic Estates, Partnerships and Planning at NHS Lincolnshire CCG
To add to the health and wellbeing basis of PE21, a park area is also part of the masterplan already produced. An open space that welcomes both residents and visitors arriving via the train and bus stations is key to the idea of a gateway to the rest of the town.
There is also much talk nationally about reviving town and city centres by offering a mix of residential and commercial. The PE21 project will also encompass this by offering a place to live, work and play.
To celebrate Boston’s diverse population, an outdoor food space has also been suggested, to showcase the range of authentic food the area has to offer.
I moved to the area in the last few years as I could see the potential in Boston. To hear about the PE21 development is amazing. Coming from someone new to Boston, the town has a lot to offer. Our investment into the town has been to open two new businesses.
We have refurbished the Raj Palace Restaurant on West Street inside and out, which has spurred on similar businesses in the area to do the same and to know that the PE21 development will be bringing a range of amenities to this end of the High Street is very welcome.
We have also invested in bringing the New England Hotel on Wide Bargate back to life. I have partnered with other investors to bring the Bombay Lounge, a restaurant with a bar and lounge. This investment in the night time economy will hopefully mean more people are inspired to stay in Boston rather than venture further afield. If PE21 can address this too, there will be much to celebrate.
Mohammed AlexanderA business owner in Boston