Council to decide on bid for 60 affordable homes in Lincoln Birchwood

The City of Lincoln Council’s executive committee will consider plans put forward by a community group which include more than 60 affordable homes in the Birchwood ward.

Community group Birchwood Big Local, which is run by residents for residents, has presented proposals for a 62-home development, primarily for the elderly, a new play park and improvements to the surrounding public open space on Jasmin Green.

The group has secured £1 million funding through the Big Local programme to make a lasting difference in the community.

While the group will use capital funding to invest in new play equipment and landscaping, the income from the ground rent of the proposed housing would create a long-term revenue for the upkeep of the improved open space.

Bob Ledger, Strategic Director for Housing at the city council, said: “Incorporating a housing development onto part of Jasmin Green will enable Birchwood Big Local to create much sought-after lasting and sustainable improvements to open space, while at the same time helping to meet the high demand for more affordable housing in Lincoln.”

Following consultation with residents in Autumn 2015, the group is in the process of producing a Big Local Plan, which has already identified improvements and enhancement to open spaces across the neighbourhood.

Some 98% of the 326 respondents to the consultation were in support of developing Jasmine Green for affordable housing for the elderly.

A new BMX track and an open air theatre were among a number of options on the cards when they group opened its first offices in February.

At its meeting on Monday, July 17, the city council’s executive will be asked to approve in principle the transfer of land of part of Jasmin Green and the lease for up to 10 years of the remaining area, to the Birchwood Area Community Land Trust (BACLT) – the community-owned registered society set up by Birchwood Big Local to acquire and steward land – in order for the plans to progress.