December 16, 2019 4.58 pm This story is over 51 months old

Government approves demolition of Lincoln pub for student housing

The government has intervened
Queen Street at the junction with High Street in Lincoln, outside The Golden Cross pub.

The government has given the green light for a 60-year-old Lincoln pub to be demolished for student housing.

Plans to flatten The Golden Cross pub on the lower High Street will now go-ahead after landlord Charlie Creane won an appeal against City of Lincoln Council’s refusal.

A three storey, 47-room student accommodation building is set to be built in its place.

Councillors said at a meeting in April that they were concerned that the plan was not in keeping with the area and nearby Queen Street and refused the proposal.

But Matthew Woodward, the government’s planning inspector, said in his decision notice that he was satisfied that the building would not have an impact on the character of the area.

Designs on the High Street side of the plan for the Golden Cross pub.

“I am satisfied that whilst the proposed building would be prominent in views along Queen Street, a feasible design response exists so as to ensure it would not overwhelm the street to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area,” he said.

He added that, while the building dates back to the 20th century, there was “nothing in evidence” to suggest that it has “anything more than limited historical significance”.

Mr Woodward said: “Whilst the building displays some architectural interest in terms of its fenestration pattern and symmetrical understated design, it is not as ornate and distinguished as some of the other building examples on the street.”

The outline plan proposes a three storey, 47 room student accommodation on the site of the pub.

Designs for student housing on the Golden Cross pub site, High Street.

It includes en-suite rooms, a common room and kitchen on each floor, as well as two laundry rooms for the first and second floors.

The pub was built in 1959 and is popular with Lincoln City fans on matchdays.

Chris Henderson, who spoke on behalf of the applicant at the council’s planning meeting, said traditional pubs were “struggling to survive” in the current economic climate and that student housing would be “positive” for the city.

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