July 7, 2014 10.48 am
This story is over 112 months old
Former Lincoln asylum to be turned into 183 luxury homes
Asylum transformed: A 162-year-old hospital site two miles from Lincoln will undergo a £40 million development to transform it into 183 luxury homes and apartments.
Originally a Victorian hospital built to treat people with mental illnesses, the site will be redeveloped after has been vacant for around 24 years.
A 162-year-old hospital site two miles from Lincoln is undergoing a £40 million development to transform it into 183 luxury homes and apartments.
The five-year project, taken on by Mabec developers, will include 77 new build family homes in the grounds of the 18 acre St John’s Hospital site in Bracebridge Heath.
Work has already begun on the site, soon to be renamed St John’s Village, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area.
Work has already begun to transform the disused hospital into luxury housing.
The first phase of the development – 10 luxury apartments and seven new build, four bedroom detached houses – will be complete in August this year.
The hospital, which was built in 1852, was originally known as Lindsey & Holland Counties & Lincoln & District Lunatic Asylum, but was given the name St John’s in the early 60s.
The building remained vacant for around 24 years.
The Victorian institution was built by architects Hamilton and Thomas Percy, at a cost of around £30,000, to treat people with mental illnesses and home disadvantaged families.
The site was vacant for around 24 years before Mabec acquired the site in early 2012.
The regeneration element of the limestone faced Grade II listed building will offer 64 houses and 42 apartments, including some that will sit inside the shell of the former large theatre to the centre of the site.
The building was originally a Victorian hospital built to treat people with mental illnesses.
Mabec is working with Lincolnshire estate agent, Pygott and Crone, to market St John’s Village over the three to five-year project.
Mabec Director Mark Elliott, who is heading the project, said: “St John’s is an incredible site bursting with potential. The architecture is stunning and the history of the imposing buildings and surrounding grounds is extremely interesting.
“We are sympathetically renovating the existing property and building individually styled new houses to offer over 183 beautiful homes that will provide a unique living environment just outside of Lincoln.
“This kind of development is what I get really excited about – the potential of the existing site, the heritage of St John’s and being able to create such a special place for people to live in for generations to come. I’m really pleased to be able to bring St John’s back to life.”
Tim Downing, senior partner at Pygott and Crone, added: “This scheme will breathe much needed new life into the grounds, much to the delight of local residents.
“Bracebridge Heath is a vibrant community with many local amenities and St John’s is affectionately known by those in the local community.
“The site has a fantastic location – close to central Lincoln and access to major road links around the county and beyond and will offer a simply stunning setting for home owners that is unlike anywhere else in the county.”
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: