Introducing Lincoln’s first poetry vending machine

Lincoln’s pre-fab housing which has stood since the Second World War should be pulled down when the opportunity arises, a councillor has said.

Roughly 100 homes from the 1940s are still standing around the Outer Circle Drive area.

They were built to last around 20 years during the post-war housing shortage using pre-fabricated steel.

The planning committee voted this week to demolish one which had become “unfit for habitation”, and Councillor Edmund Strengiel called for others to follow when possible.

“It’s long overdue for prefab houses to be knocked down. These houses should only have lasted 20 years, although some may still be comfortable and liveable,” he told the meeting.

One pre-fab is deemed to be ‘unfit for habitation’ | Image: City of Lincoln Council

“In my hometown, many of these were demolished in the 1970s, and something much better was put in their place. We could have lovely bungalows here.”

He added: “I have no doubt people still want to live in them, and I’m not suggesting that anyone should be forced to move out if they don’t want to.

“To be fair to the council, money isn’t readily available. It would probably be a case of taking them down and replacing them one by one.

“But if the funds are there and the residents are happy, it is time for the council’s housing team to make that decision.”

Around 157,000 homes were constructed around the country after the war, although not many are still standing.

There are around 100 pre-fabs from the 1940s around Outer Circle Drive in Lincoln | Photo: City of Lincoln Council

The bungalow on Outer Circle Drive had fallen into disrepair after the tenant refused improvement works on several occasions.

It was declared void in March 2020 following a survey.

Planning committee members agreed to knock it down, with a report saying it is “in sub-standard condition and is uneconomical to repair.”

The house will now be demolished and the foundations removed, with the site then being levelled and turfed.

There are currently no plans to build on the plot of land, although it is an option in the future.

‘Raunchy mini-golf action’ is coming to Lincoln as GloryHoles Golf prepares to open its third bar later this summer.

GloryHoles Golf will open in the unit formerly occupied by Interpsort on Lincoln High Street, initially for drinks by the end of July.

It is expected to open with a full 18 holes of raunchy mini-golf action, including 13 lucky dip holes, before the end of September.

GloryHoles was set up by business partners Dan Brown, Drew Hewitt and Dave Hood of Curious Venues, who have so far opened venues with their ‘unique adult mini-golf experience’ in Nottingham and Sheffield.

The bar area is expected to include arcade machines, pool and beer pong, and there is also expected to be an upstairs room for private hire with games and screens. The 18 holes will each have their own unique themes and challenges.

There are also plans for a terrace area, as well as outdoor seating in front of the building. The former occupiers of the building Intersport closed in January 2021 before reopening for a weekend in June last year to dispose of its remaining stock.

GloryHoles Golf will open on Lincoln High Street in the unit formerly occupied by Intersport. | Photo: The Lincolnite

It is understood that prices will be £10 per head from Monday to Thursday, and then £12 Friday to Sunday. Opening hours are expected to be 4pm-11pm on Mondays, 12pm-11pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, 12pm-1am Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm-10pm on Sundays.

If Lincoln matches its Nottingham bar, then customers could be urged to “grab your club and take it to the jungle, ride the wave and take on extraterrestrials across 18 uniquely themed holes to fill”.

GloryHoles provides ‘adult themed crazy golf’. | Photo: The Lincolnite

In terms of the bar and lounge, its Nottingham venue says “even the best need to take a break after getting balls deep in our holes.”