Council set to approve demolition of car wash for Lincoln mosque and Lidl parking

Plans to demolish a former car wash to create additional parking for a discount supermarket and Lincoln’s first purpose-built mosque are set to be given the green light next week.

The proposal would see the Arc Car wash on Dixon Street replaced with a new car park for Lidl, consisting of 43 additional spaces.

A new access point would also be created for the mosque and a further six spaces provided to the previously approved scheme.

No amendments are proposed to the mosque as part of this application, with the building predicted to be completed at some point this year.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A report produced on behalf of the city council said: “The application site is clearly identified as being suitable for some form of development as the previous car wash use has now ceased.

“The use of the site for a new access to the previously granted mosque and additional car parking is supported by planning policy and will ease the use of both sites.

“The impact on highway safety has been assessed and is considered acceptable subject to the conditions described within this report.

“The sustainable location, the brownfield nature of the site and the absence of harm in terms of traffic generation, impact on residential amenity and flood risk have all been assessed and it is considered that the application should be granted conditionally.”

Labour councillor Kevin Clarke, who represents Boultham on Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Without doubt the application when successful will attract more traffic.

“I would like both the city and county officers to work together to ease traffic on Dixon Street before adding to the problem.”

Ian Durrant, chairman of the Boultham Residents’ Association, said: “The original planning permission allowed for 70 parking spaces at Lidl and with this application the total will be 115 spaces.

“Would the application have been granted if it had included 115 spaces, or is this intensification by stealth?”

Tanweer Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Association of Lincoln, said: “I believe the number of worshippers coming for prayers will remain the same but with additional car parking spaces there will not be an issue of people parking in the streets.

“Second and most important, this will improve visibility of the mosque in Lincoln which is excellent for Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

“Talking to a number of Muslims, including local residents, they are very excited with these important developments.”

Councillors will make a decision on the application at a Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 13 at City Hall.