November 24, 2016 4.53 pm This story is over 87 months old

Iconic former Lincoln Ruston site to be sold to developers

The 231,000 sq ft former home of Ruston and William Sinclair Horticulture in Lincoln has gone up for sale, with land attracting developers for its potential to include hundreds of homes or significant commercial space. The former fertiliser warehouses on Firth Road in Lincoln has been flagged as suitable for both residential and commercial development…

The 231,000 sq ft former home of Ruston and William Sinclair Horticulture in Lincoln has gone up for sale, with land attracting developers for its potential to include hundreds of homes or significant commercial space.

The former fertiliser warehouses on Firth Road in Lincoln has been flagged as suitable for both residential and commercial development by local councillors.

The William Sinclair Horticulture warehouses on Firth Road have been empty for nearly a year and is the former home to Ruston, the country’s largest producer of aircraft engines during WWI.

Ruston, Proctor & Co. Works, based on Firth Road was key in Lincoln's role in engine production.

Ruston, Proctor & Co. Works, based on Firth Road was key in Lincoln’s role in engine production.

The site is up sale with Eddison’s estate agents.

Since the premises have been vacant, the building has suffered from fire damage in July this year.

The property currently comprises an industrial and factory complex, last used for storage blending and packaging of horticultural products and has a rateable value of £234,000.

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Economic Regeneration at City of Lincoln Council, said: “This is a really important site for economic regeneration and it would be particularly good to see it used either for housing or employment.

“We need more quality, affordable homes in the city, and this is a great site for housing. It’s next to the city centre and would be a great place for students and for people that work.

“My view is we want to have some housing on there, but we would also be supportive of an appropriate business use that would provide jobs.”