April 14, 2016 11.00 am This story is over 95 months old

Plans for 300 room student blocks, shops and restaurants to link Brayford with Lincoln High Street

Proposals for student housing blocks comprising 300 bedrooms, including a gym and ground floor space for retailers and restaurants, are hoped to form a gateway between Lincoln High Street and the Brayford Waterfront. The plans, designed by Stem Architects Ltd, have been submitted to City of Lincoln Council on behalf of Network Rail. Constructed parallel to the central…
Lincoln City Council have approved plans for the new building Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Proposals for student housing blocks comprising 300 bedrooms, including a gym and ground floor space for retailers and restaurants, are hoped to form a gateway between Lincoln High Street and the Brayford Waterfront.

The plans, designed by Stem Architects Ltd, have been submitted to City of Lincoln Council on behalf of Network Rail.

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Constructed parallel to the central railway line, two buildings would sit behind the ongoing University of Lincoln Sarah Swift Building on Wigford Yard and front the High Street, next to the new level crossing footbridge.

A walkway will be paved through the site between Brayford Wharf East and High Street.

The buildings would sit behind the university's Sarah Swift Building, which is currently under construction. Artist impressions: Stem Architects

The buildings would sit behind the university’s Sarah Swift Building, which is currently under construction. Artist impressions: Stem Architects

The buildings will front Lincoln High Street, adjacent to the ongoing Lincoln High Street level crossing footbridge. Artist impressions: Stem Architects

The buildings will front Lincoln High Street, adjacent to the ongoing Lincoln High Street level crossing footbridge. Artist impressions: Stem Architects

One three to nine storey block would accommodate 38 residential flats [totalling 250 bedrooms], a 75 square metre gym and 735 square metres of retail, restaurant or cafe use on the ground floor, looking out on to High Street.

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

The second building would be a six storey annex to accommodate six flats [51 bedrooms], connected by a glass walkway.

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Applicants from Network Rail’s Joint Venture Development arm say in their planning statement: “The appearance, siting and function of the proposed buildings is designed to fit in with the university’s long standing Brayford masterplan to provide a new High Street gateway to the campus and the much needed pedestrian connectivity to and from the Brayford.”

The site currently houses the now derelict brick and concrete building which once accommodated the old Superdrug and Bedshop High Street stores.

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

Artist impressions: Stem Architects

The proposals are updated from previous plans which were approved by the city council.

Plans previously suggested the refurbishment and extension of the existing building at 179 High Street.

The applicants stated: “Due to its proximity to the existing railtrack and a heavily contaminated (asbestos) ridden structure, it is not viable to convert the existing building.

“A new planning application has therefore emerged whereby it is proposed to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new building of similar scale to that of the currently approved refurbished and extended scheme.”

Nigel Stevenson, Director at Stem Architects, said: “The 179 High Street project completes the High Street pedestrian bridge project and forms an integral part of a wider regeneration programme in the Brayford area.

“This connection will also work in tandem with both the new High Street and Brayford Wharf East level crossing footbridges to improve pedestrian permeability throughout the whole Brayford area.

“Visually the building utilises a simple pallet of traditional materials which are designed to mirror the civic setting of the bridge and fit in with the surrounding urban grain.”

Proposals will be considered by City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee at a later date.