Plans for new apartments on site of Lincoln Roman burial ground

A revised proposal to convert a listed building and Roman burial ground in Lincoln city centre into new apartments has been released.

Interest in the land at 64 Newland surged in December 2015 when a group of archaeologists discovered 23 Roman skeletons beneath the building in what was described as one of the most significant finds in the city.

Updated plans have now been submitted to City of Lincoln Council for 12 new studio flats on the burial ground.

Applicants TS TIP Ltd have also applied to convert the existing Grade 2 listed building on the site into 11 new apartments.

The site is surrounded to the south and west by the Brayford Quays development, and a footpath runs down the side of the Newland Health Centre to the east.

Planning permission and listed building consent was granted in September 2015 for the change of use of the building to form five flats with a new building providing a further five flats.

This application is an evolution of that scheme to “ensure the viability” of the building, which has fallen into disrepair.

Higher than anticipated costs have been incurred as part of the dry rot remedial works, the need for which had not previously been identified.

No provision for off-street parking has been included in the application.

John Roberts Architects, representing the applicants, said: “The cost of restoring this listed building is beyond that which can be met by a normal development, either commercial or residential. An element of enabling development is required.

“Reversion to residential use is entirely appropriate for the site in this central mixed use area of the city.

“Whilst car parking provision would be advantageous for residential use, it is not essential and in the absence of any other specific opportunity, conversion to flats is the only realistic option.

“The proposal safeguards the future of a listed building and is in accord with national and local planning policy.

“The proposal is simply an evolution of a scheme that has already been granted planning permission and listed building consent.”

City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee will decide on the application at a later date.