South Holland District Council wants to knock down the redundant Gore Lane exchange and redevelop the whole site in conjunction with George Adams and Son which owns a neighbouring parcel of land.

The council also wants to change the use of the area to a temporary car park for up to five years while it reaches a decision on how best to redevelop the conservation area site.

Approval to knock down the building is due to be granted this evening by the authority's development control committee, which has been recommended to give the go-ahead.

A report to members says Spalding and District Civic Society has objected to the demolition and is calling for a planning brief for the redevelopment of the whole site.

It says: "We suspect the real reason for seeking demolition may be financial, which is not a material planning consideration.

"We recommend that a planning brief for the comprehensive redevelopment of the whole brownfield site be put urgently in hand so that site and design appraisals for the whole site can be prepared for the regeneration of this long-standing blemish of more than 40 years on the centre of the conservation area."

County archaeology says the site is at the heart of medieval Spalding and if the building is to be demolished beyond ground floor level archaeological monitoring will be required.

The council's economic development officer says it would not be possible to re-use the building in future developments due to the nature of its construction and the asbestos in it.

The conservation officer says the site is considered important in terms of potential development and any permissions granted should only be for a temporary period.

The council says the car park will provide 34 spaces to be served by the existing Gore Lane access and adds that it will be a useful new car park for the town centre.

A separate conservation area consent application to demolish the building went before the committee on July 30 and was referred to the Government Office for a decision.