Consultation launched into £16m Lincoln Cathedral transformation

A £16 million renovation project which is expected to draw an extra 125,000 visitors a year to Lincoln Cathedral by 2020 is up for public consultation from today.

The Lincoln Cathedral Connected scheme includes conservation of buildings and landscape, a new shop and cafe and an interpretation centre.

A number of consultation events are open to the public concerning the proposed development.

People can register online for a free ticket to a presentation by the design team on Thursday, April 28 at 7pm at Bishop Grosseteste University.

Lincoln Cathedral Connected plans.

Drop-in sessions are as follows:

• Monday, April 25 to Thursday 28 – 11am to 2pm, Café Bar, Lincoln Drill Hall, Free School Lane, LN2 1EY
• Sunday, May 1 – 12pm to 2pm, Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral, LN2 1PX
• Monday, May 2 to Friday, May 6 – 12pm to 2pm, St James’ Chapel, Lincoln Cathedral, LN2 1PX

The project has been three years in planning and was in May 2015 earmarked for £12.4 million in funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), including an initial Development Grant of £900,000.

Image: Simpson Brown Architects

This grant allows an 18 month period to further develop plans, which include:

• Landscape of the West Front and Dean’s Green to create tranquil public spaces
• Renewing the floodlights
• Conservation of Exchequergate Arch
• Conservation of the West Front centre niche, Gallery of Kings and Romanesque Frieze
• Creation of new visitor facilities (shop, cafe, toilets, changing places room) and an Interpretation Centre
• An education and interpretation programme

It will also make a vital financial contribution to the conservation of the cathedral’s fabric, which costs around £1.6 million to maintain each year.

The Deanery will be transformed into a learning centre as part of the plans.

A Stage 2 Bid will be submitted to HLF in November 2016, with the Delivery Stage commencing in 2017. The project will be complete by 2020.

The project will create a number of jobs and volunteering opportunities, as well as providing training for staff and volunteers.

Lincoln Cathedral are now looking for volunteers to help with the project. Anyone interested in heritage, conservation, education, documentary research, archaeology and/or collections should get in touch with Fern Dawson on 01522 537 668 or [email protected].

The project will build on the £22 million investment in the Lincoln Castle Revealed scheme, which was completed on April 1.