March 22, 2018 7.37 pm This story is over 72 months old

Site of former Lincoln pub and cabaret will be turned into flats

The pub attracted large Saturday night crowds in the 1960s.
The approved plans for flats off Birchwood Avenue in Lincoln

Councillors approved plans to turn the site of a former Lincoln pub and cabaret venue into 38 flats despite concerns over traffic.

Two three storey buildings with 19 apartments each will be built where The Wildlife pub on Birchwood Avenue stood before it was demolished in 2013.

The pub attracted large Saturday night crowds in the 1960s and was known for its cabaret acts.

Applicant Ryan Carruthers, of Venture Property Lincoln, used a crowdfunding page to raise almost £35,000 to buy the land.

The development will be named Desmond Court in honour of Ryan’s grandfather, who once performed as a singer at the venue.

Thirty one bedroom and eight two bedroom apartments will be created, and the buildings will be arranged as a horseshoe facing away from Birchwood Avenue.

City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee unanimously granted planning permission at a meeting on Thursday, March 22.

Hartsholme Councillor Biff Bean voted in favour of the plans, but said that he was concerned about traffic in the area.

In describing the area as his “old stomping ground”, he said: “I’m pleased to see something happening on the site. It’s been derelict for too long.

“The fact that there will be some one bed flats is welcome.

“The main thing for me is the traffic in that area and how it backs up. I’m concerned about access.”

His Labour colleague, Councillor Naomi Tweddle, ward member for Minster, added: “It’s a nice design and will fit in well with the area.

“The junction with Skellingthorpe Road has to be one of the worst junctions in the city and this will add to the impact.

“But overall it’s a really good use of the space.”